We stayed two weeks in El Sobrante looking after Terri the Cat and Charlie the Dog meeting the pets and home owners for the first time the day before they left for their trip to New Mexico and Sedona (that's the home owners of course) When meeting pets for the first time it's so important that you meet on their level .... literally, get down on the floor, let them come to you. after all they're smarter than we humans, they know immediately who is their friend, love them and they'll love you right back even more!!
Once we got ourselves settled in, had the grand tour of their lovely home we took valuable time to do the home owner/sitters familiarization walk through. This is the time to check out everything important to do with pet and home care. Pet's vet contacts, emergency veterinary care, feeding, meds., likes, dislikes, personality traits, any problem areas, etc. Then all things to do with the smooth running of the home, it's security and care including the garden, garbage, mail and neighbours. All of this and many cups of tea later we drove to one of their favorite restaurants had a great meal, some excellent local wine and enjoyed getting more acquainted. The next day we drove them to Oakland Airport to catch their flight, which they really appreciated.
John and I were their second TrustedHouseSitters last year they went on a month long "Trip of a Lifetime" to Italy and had a young Australian couple as stand in pet parents/ house sitters this experience was their first and so successful that they chose to do it again. Since getting to know them better they've told us they'll never choose any other option of care for their pets or their home, it's house sitters for them every time.
We love what we do and it's the pets that make it so very special, these two furry kiddies were no exception. Terri is 18 years young, I mean YOUNG she's so kitten like in spite of health issues which require daily shots, Dr John did these REALLY well. Charlie's 14 and has lots of things to deal with bad hips, deafness, the occasional mental block, lots of daily meds almost a mirror image of his carers:) we all got on like a house on fire!
With so much to see in the Bay area and this was the first extended stay for us we made a few trips, not going too far afield, we didn't want to leave Charlie too much and we were going to be here for another couple of weeks when we moved on to our next sit. Spent a few hours in Berkley, what a disappointment not at all what I expected, only point worth a visit was the University Campus although I'm sure it's a great university city for the students. The other great thing about house sitting is the lack of pressure to constantly be out and about unlike staying for a limited time in a hotel as a typical tourist, we're more the laid back residents .... if we do we do, if not it doesn't really matter we have a lovely home, pets and garden to enjoy.
After two weeks John went to collect the home owners from the airport they arrived back to jaw dropping gardening results, thanks to John and his vigilance "How did you do THAT??" "Water and attention, that's all!" I made dinner of poached salmon, asparagus, new potatoes and salad, followed by poached pears and cream accompanied by some delicious wine, which they did not expect at all, the look on their faces and obvious appreciation at coming home to happy pets and cared for home is what makes what we do worth it, a million times over!
We've since met them again for dinner and their only complaint? We created a fussy eater in Charlie!! Poor little man couldn't get his food out of the dish properly and was leaving quite a bit at each meal until John became his personal feeding assistant. He would stir the food away from the sides of the bowl until Charlie had finished and finish it he did, every time ...... they now have to do the same!! Well he's worth it isn't he:))
Mill Valley SF and two kitties Mister and MIssy here we come!
Once we got ourselves settled in, had the grand tour of their lovely home we took valuable time to do the home owner/sitters familiarization walk through. This is the time to check out everything important to do with pet and home care. Pet's vet contacts, emergency veterinary care, feeding, meds., likes, dislikes, personality traits, any problem areas, etc. Then all things to do with the smooth running of the home, it's security and care including the garden, garbage, mail and neighbours. All of this and many cups of tea later we drove to one of their favorite restaurants had a great meal, some excellent local wine and enjoyed getting more acquainted. The next day we drove them to Oakland Airport to catch their flight, which they really appreciated.
John and I were their second TrustedHouseSitters last year they went on a month long "Trip of a Lifetime" to Italy and had a young Australian couple as stand in pet parents/ house sitters this experience was their first and so successful that they chose to do it again. Since getting to know them better they've told us they'll never choose any other option of care for their pets or their home, it's house sitters for them every time.
We love what we do and it's the pets that make it so very special, these two furry kiddies were no exception. Terri is 18 years young, I mean YOUNG she's so kitten like in spite of health issues which require daily shots, Dr John did these REALLY well. Charlie's 14 and has lots of things to deal with bad hips, deafness, the occasional mental block, lots of daily meds almost a mirror image of his carers:) we all got on like a house on fire!
With so much to see in the Bay area and this was the first extended stay for us we made a few trips, not going too far afield, we didn't want to leave Charlie too much and we were going to be here for another couple of weeks when we moved on to our next sit. Spent a few hours in Berkley, what a disappointment not at all what I expected, only point worth a visit was the University Campus although I'm sure it's a great university city for the students. The other great thing about house sitting is the lack of pressure to constantly be out and about unlike staying for a limited time in a hotel as a typical tourist, we're more the laid back residents .... if we do we do, if not it doesn't really matter we have a lovely home, pets and garden to enjoy.
After two weeks John went to collect the home owners from the airport they arrived back to jaw dropping gardening results, thanks to John and his vigilance "How did you do THAT??" "Water and attention, that's all!" I made dinner of poached salmon, asparagus, new potatoes and salad, followed by poached pears and cream accompanied by some delicious wine, which they did not expect at all, the look on their faces and obvious appreciation at coming home to happy pets and cared for home is what makes what we do worth it, a million times over!
We've since met them again for dinner and their only complaint? We created a fussy eater in Charlie!! Poor little man couldn't get his food out of the dish properly and was leaving quite a bit at each meal until John became his personal feeding assistant. He would stir the food away from the sides of the bowl until Charlie had finished and finish it he did, every time ...... they now have to do the same!! Well he's worth it isn't he:))
Mill Valley SF and two kitties Mister and MIssy here we come!
