I am a caring, clean, responsible sixty-two-years-young experienced house-sitter with great references, who will deeply care for your pet(s) and home. As a long-time homeowner myself, I also can fix/solve minor issues that may arise while you are gone. If these qualities interest you, please read on...
My name is Michael Feerer. I happily raised my daughter in Bellingham WA for 18 years while working from home as an author and successful entrepreneur. Being her Dad was a great experience, and we remain very close. When she left for college eight years ago, I began to travel -- by house-sitting, house-sharing, or renting in different locales from a few months to a year per community. It’s been a great way to learn about and explore new areas -- and a terrific fit for my creative work as a children’s book author, innovator, and nature photographer.
What I Offer To You:
a. My deep animal connection and experience.
I've always had a very strong connection with animals, and volunteered in animal shelters for years while raising my daughter. We had our own cats, dog, rats, fish, etc. too. ;) I am also very comfortable around horses, goats, chickens, and snakes. I enjoy and value animals deeply and spend lots of quality time with them -- I don’t just “feed and ignore” like some sitters unfortunately do. I treat them with respect, kindness, and love.
b. Monitoring/managing of special needs.
I am very observant and can notice and attend to any special needs your animals may have. Special feedings or medications are no problem. I am also patient and understanding with pet personality quirks, such as the need for extra attention or verbal reinforcement.
c. True companionship with your animals.
I will be a very-present companion for your companion animals. Other than a daily walk/hike for an hour or two, and weekly food shopping and library visits, I’m a homebody. Basically I am a quiet, low-key, peaceful, happy introvert. Daily I will be happily working on writing my next book on my laptop -- and socializing with your pets. At night I am an avid reader -- again something I can enjoyably do with your pets. This companionship fit is one of the aspects I like most about house-sitting!
d. Keeping you connected with your animal family.
Via the Internet, I will be happy to keep you visually connected with your home and your pets via photos and/or live video conferencing.
e. Resourcefulness for unexpected situations.
I am clear-headed and resourceful with unexpected situations that may arise with your home or pets. I am handy with tools for minor fix-it/maintenance tasks around a home. And I know how to manage plumbers or others who may be unexpectedly needed.
f. Respect, honesty, and integrity -- always.
I listen well and communicate with honesty and integrity. I take my responsibility with your household very seriously and will treat and respect your home as if it is my own. Also, I am clean and tidy (without being fanatical about it). When you return your house will be as clean as you left it, if not cleaner.
For more details, please see my downloadable .doc files here. All of the above are confirmed by my testimonials and references there. I am happy to provide their contact info upon request and I encourage you to contact them. Thanks for reading!