Here are some of the main questions and reactions I get every time I “talk” up house sitting and yes I do ... talk house sitting that is, frequently actually when ever I get the chance. Why? Because you know that saying "IF it sounds too good to be true... it usually is" WRONG there are times when it is exactly what it is. House sitting simply works on every level. But lets see if I can go some way to convince and inspire without writing a laundry list or an epistle ......
Can Anyone House Sit?
Yes provided you're honest, mature by that I mean an adult, responsible, trustworthy, reliable, self sufficient and have the time to fully commit to an assignment. In fact possess and demonstrate all the attributes needed for the home owner to feel comfortable and secure leaving their most precious possessions in your sole care ..... a huge responsibility and never undertaken lightly.
Is House Sitting for Everyone?
Name me one thing in this life apart from food, air and water that is for everyone. Just as bungy jumping, swimming with sharks, rock climbing, cooking, house work even having children isn't for everyone neither is house sitting. If you need to have your life pigeon holed, certain, totally familiar, a fixed routine and would feel uncomfortable living someone elses life surrounded by their possessions, NO! BUT if you're flexible, love variety, comfortable with responsibility, feel at home wherever you lay your hat, even if it's in someone elses closet, adore animals (80% of home owners require pet care) love people and having new adventures, travel and challenges then it may just be for you ...... but you'll never know unless you try.
“Wish I had your life”
Not so much a question more an “if only” Simple answer is you can just as many have, young singles couples, retirees like John and I people of all ages, from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some have sold everything deciding the ever speeding hamster wheel isn't for them. There was a West End Play in the 70's called “Stop the world I want to get Off” a mantra for many house sitters in 2013! I'm not brave enough to throw away my worldly goods, perhaps if I was 30 years younger, I like to know I still have a home, although I'm rarely in it even so it's there. So with determination and the will anything's possible, you've got to want it, plan it, prepare for it and then just “DO IT”
and the biggie
Why should I have a stranger, sorry sitter, look
after my pet and home in fact everything I hold precious?”
I'd love to have a pound or dollar every time I'm asked this question. A dear friend who's know me "forever" once asked if I was completely mad, I'd just told her my sitters were arriving from Oz to take care of my beautiful home for seven months whilst John and I went off traveling (yes and house sitting) We'd just had a long conversation where we'd established that these were a couple I'd never met or known until they applied to my listing on www.trustedhousesitters.com
"Mad Ramona? How long have you known me?"
"Forever"
"and, am I mad?"
"No"
So once we'd established that I wasn't certifiable we had an intelligent conversation of why I would never, ever leave my home without engaging house sitters even more so if I had pets. Why stress any pet more than necessary it's enough that the pet parent leaves removing them from everything safe and familiar to stay in a strange environment only compounds the stress. I'm not saying there are'nt good boarding options just that all the evidence shows animals feel safest when in familiar territory, they're less likely to suffer in anyway, health or emotionally.
to be continued meanwhile would love to hear comments, your experiences questions and answers especially to this last question
