Cats, Chickens, Donkeys - oh my! in middle Tennessee

About this assignment

This opportunity for summer 2026 is for more than one person and each person will have their own private furnished bedroom. The reason for seeking more than one person is to not overburden one person in your kindness to the chores that I manage on a daily basis. In my past international trips, I have encountered issues where sitters have had to leave suddenly while I'm miles away and have to scramble - miles away with commitment and a return flight that can't be changed - to find anyone to fill in is virtually impossible (they've literally abandoned my animals and property without any notice or follow-through --- those were found from other services NOT this site). I'm very cautious and recognize that anything can happen including an emergency at your home base, emergency with your family members, a health issue that means you have to leave without any warning, and some people do not disclose pet allergies or just on a whim decide to leave.

I just joined Mind My House in hopes to find a better pool of committed sitters. This opportunity is available for friends or families with limited numbers of people and age of kids is a factor. I have looked through the sitter profiles and I see mostly singles. So single people who are working remotely just know that I have very reliable highspeed fiber broadband even though this is a rural location and that there most likely would be additional helpers so you aren't completely by yourself and that helpers are assigned bedrooms in two different houses on a total of 5 acres.

Having a car is beneficial, but not a dealbreaker as I can assist with airport transport if you are looking for an adventure in this area of the country. No allergies to cats. If someone is allergic to cats, you'll be assigned a bedroom in a no cat house. Non-smokers. Limited or no use of alcohol. No random guests that are not arranged prior (please don't contact me while I'm gone to ask if a friend or family member can pop by because they saw your pictures with the donkeys - let's get all of that arranged ahead of time).

The best fit for this experience are those who are okay being away from urban and suburban lifestyles for a few weeks and embrace the different nature sounds. Regular fitness to be able to walk the property and handle very basic chores. If you are a digital nomad, there's high speed broadband. Those who are awake around sunrise is beneficial. I need to know that people who are ready to make a commitment and won't have a random emergency or just personal decision to depart before my return (also why I want additional people at the same time).

I am asking people to arrive on or around July 5th and I'm happy to accommodate you early. There will be a week of orientation to get an intro to the routine and get acclimated in general. I will be traveling internationally to the other side of the world from July 12 to July 30. I'm asking helpers to stay until the 2nd, but you could depart as early as the 30th as long as I know what time you have to go.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Why I'm seeking more than one person? In 2025, I had a similar travel experience (I'm a travel guide for an artist trip to Japan annually from 2025 to 2028). I had lined up 4 helpers. Two weeks before the trip and arrival time, 2 of them cancelled due to issues at home. A few days into the trip, one of the people called me and her house was currently being flooded in a completely unexpected weather situation in states away. That meant, there was one person left. I manage all of these on a daily basis, but I do not want to burden people in your assistance and I want to make sure there are people on site - just in case. I do not have enough income to make this a highly paid position, but the benefits you get from the lodging, internet, and the interactions with all of the joyous creatures as well as the landscape I hope is attractive enough to the right people. When I lived in an urban area and only had dogs/cats, this happened to me as well when the person had to leave to take care of an elderly parent who had a medical emergency.

If you are still reading, here are the tasks:

These chores occur in the morning, middle of the day, and at night right when the sun sets as well as just after dark (or before you go to bed.)

Cats - feeding, cleaning litter box a few times a day, water bowl, and vacuuming every two days. Some of the cats are outside or partially inside for food and some of them are inside only.

Donkeys. There are 15 total - 2 are standards, 3 are full minature, and the rest are in between. They get fed hay in the morning and night, feed mid-day and one group of the females is allowed to graze for a few hours late morning using the feed routine to bring them back in. (need shoes that can get muddy, long sleeves as hay can be scratchy, and dexterity to open latches to walk through gates holding items as well as making sure the donkeys don't walk right by you.

Birds. Chickens/Roosters (and guinea may or may not still be here) and Peacoks/Peahens. Their routine is to open up coop in the morning, feed and water, mid-day can open them to free range and afternoon they get snacks/treats/leftover scraps to bring them back into their zone. They'll go to their sleeping spots on their own and someone just needs to close up the doors. The peas are in a garage with similar routine and a window that is open in the mornings closed at night so they can go out into their aviary. Collect eggs every night and you are welcome to enjoy them. Please make sure hens don't go broody and incubate eggs.

Dogs. There are two pyre mix guard dogs who have a zone of their own. They get fed twice a day (and someone should stand with Fern because she eats slower than the younger sister - Bunny). Checking on their water and picking up the poo every 3 or 4 days.

Garden. Not most important, but if you enjoy being around plants or have this experience. Watering once a day and just checking on the containers.

What are the good features of the property and location

You'll have access to the acreage in this beautiful area of mid-south Tennesseee that also includes private untamed land along the Buffalo River (5 acres is the main area and I have 12 untamed acres on the river). All walking or entering the lazy river is on your own liability. The closest town for groceries and a bit of regular life like a coffee shop is about 20 minutes drive. This area is called the Western Highland Rim and it's the foothills of Appalachia. There are some trails in driving distance to go on walks, but you'll need bug spray for ticks.

Artists and writers will find this space conducive to your work as there is also an extensive library of design and art books as well as novels, etc. I operate on a small scale an artist/writer retreat and residency program.

Private furnished lodging and access to living spaces, kitchen, laundry and the great outdoors with wifi antennae in case you want to sit outside to do work or listen to an audio book. Technically, there are 5 bedrooms.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

Please provide any references or other general experience as well as reasons for your availability (summer break, retired, nomad lifestyle, etc.). A commitment that you are not allergic to cats (at least one person), a non-smoker, and do not drink alcohol or commit to limit consumption while on site. No guests allowed and everything must be set up with who will be on site in my absence.

Cell phone service does not work here except for text messaging or a few random spots usually later in the evenings where you might get some bars. I have high speed fiber broadband unlimited with an antennae to be able to connect outside.

Food is not included. You will receive a gift from Japan upon my return. This is not a paid position, but I will consider a small stipend after my return to assess the status of everything (like if the eggs were collected or all of a sudden I have 20 more baby chickens because one of the hens went broody or anything else that may have been overlooked).

Can I bring my own pets?

Yes
Restrictions: This is negotiable due to the length of stay. Please indicate the type of pet, age, weight, and general demeanor. Dogs would be staying in a house that does not have fenced yard and they should not be aggressive towards the donkeys, cats, or chickens. I p

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