Over the past seven years and 37 house/pet sits, we have PURRR-fect references from homeowners (and their pets) in New Mexico, Australia, San Diego, New Zealand, Spain, Anguilla, Scotland, London, Greece, Hawaii, South Africa, California and Southern Florida.
We met while both serving in the U.S. Air Force. After the military, we both graduated from San Jose State University in California. Laurie spent 30 years in marketing and advertising at well-known agencies and financial firms. Keith owned his own successful business.
You will quickly find us to be dependable, responsive, flexible, organized, energetic, grateful, and kind.
We are experienced house and pet sitters who have been doing pet/house sitting full time for seven years. We do NOT charge for our services.
We owned pets for over 20 years including Annie, Bogie, Whitney and Mariah. We know first hand how difficult it is to travel and leave part of the family behind. Once a sitter we had arranged well in advance cancelled -- forcing us to kennel Whitney. It was the worst vacation as we worried about her the entire time.
When we started pet sitting 7 years ago, our goal was to travel a bit when we retired. But house/pet sitting has become much more than that. We have met the most wonderful, caring and interesting homeowners from around the world who we now consider friends.
We've gotten immersed in the towns and cities where we stay, joining local groups and even doing volunteer work. Of course, the pets we're caring for are always our first priority and we're able to balance that responsibility and still have time to experience events in the towns/cities where we're staying. VE Day in London; Carnival in Anguilla; Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico; Rose Parade in Pasadena, Las Fallas in Spain, Easter in Lorca, Spain. Our lives are far richer from these experiences.
Dogs and cats are naturally drawn to us where ever we go -- whether it's a rescue dog or a pedigree, a feral cat or one that wants cuddles all day. We've also cared for chickens and a tortoise.
For years we cherished time with our pets...until they went to pet heaven. We love long walks with your pets and spending lots of cuddle time. Since we are retired, we are free to respond to your sitting needs rather quickly. This flexibility also means we can arrive a few days early (and transport you to the airport if need be) and stay a few days later if your travel plans suddenly change.
Blessed with excellent health, we have never smoked and have exceptional references and a current, clean Police Check. Non smokers.
Our references on this profile page speak volumes about the care we give to each house and pet. The ultimate compliment is being invited to return; we've repeated house sits in New Zealand, Spain, Anguilla and Florida and have been invited to return to other homes as well but scheduling conflicts meant we had to decline.
We bring a wealth of experience, including:
Santa Fe, New Mexico -- one month; for two dogs and one cat with special dietary needs
Southern California -- two weeks; one cat
San Diego, California -- three weeks; two small dogs
New Zealand -- six weeks; one cat and again in 2014)
Melbourne -- three months; no pets
Melbourne -- two weeks; one rescue Greyhound
Southern Florida -- six weeks; two cats
Javea, Spain -- one month; two cats and again in 2015 and 2016)
Anguilla months; two cats and a salt water pool and 2016)
Santa Fe, New Mexico -- 3 months; one Standard Poodle
Southern California -- six weeks; one elderly dog and one cat
Scotland -- two weeks; two cats
Garrucha, Spain -- 3 weeks, one King Charles Spaniel and a rescue dog
London -- two months; one large rescue dog
Florida --- two months; one 2 year old Gordon Setter and one 6 year old English Setter and repeat in 2016)
Phoenix -- one month with three small rescue dogs
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina -- one week two dogs
Vero Beach, Florida -- three small rescue dogs
Tampa, Florida -- Five weeks with a Sweedish Lapphund
Paros, Greece -- Two weeks; one cat
Northern California -- Two weeks; one cat
Kauai, Hawaii -- Seven weeks; two Australian Shepherds
St. Pete Beach, Florida -- one black lab and one cat for 7 weeks
Simonstown, South Africa -- one month caring for one rescue cat
Somerset West, South Africa -- two months caring for one dog
Whidbey Island, Washington -- 10 days; two dogs
Madison, Wisconsin -- two cats over a one month period
Grant's Pass, Oregon -- caring for two dogs for one month
Breckenridge, Colorado -- caring for one dog and one cat
Keith is trained in pool/spa care and cleaning and Laurie is a passionate gardener who enjoys caring for plants and gardens. With two homes of our own, we know a lot about home maintenance, repair and care.