Hello,
My husband and I have just booked a quick getaway to Mexico and are looking for someone to look after our farm. We have a lovely 98-acre property with a charming restored farmhouse just north of Port Perry--roughly an hour and twenty minutes from Toronto. We're looking for a sitter who is comfortable with both horses and dogs. We have eight well-mannered horses who live outside 24/7 unless the temperatures drop below -12. At that point, three or four need to be stalled at night to keep the barn water from freezing. For the most part, the farm chores are minimal and not terribly onerous--feed grain to the horses once a day, check hay levels and automatic waterers, lots of scritches and love to everyone. Barn kittens get food and water once a day. The three dogs tend to be quite active so no formal walking required (though two of the three do enjoy long walks).
Even though the farm is in rural Ontario, a grocery store, pub, bakery (with excellent butter tarts), a gas station and a post office are a short five-minute drive away. Both Lindsay and Port Perry are minutes by car.
We have very supportive neighbours if there is any sort of problem or crisis.
This is our first experience with House Carers--we generally have friends or family looking after the farm. Please drop me a line if you think you might be interested.
Cheers.