Thursday, October 27, 2011

3 Reasons to Have a House Sitter

Keeping your pets & home a priority while you're out of town. 

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Lynn took care of my cat and my house while I was away for a week. I enjoyed having her live in while I was gone. Having the house occupied made me breathe easier. The house was neat as a pin, clean as a whistle, and my cat, Alvin, was as fat and sassy as ever. Thank you again Lynn!

Jim S., St. Augustine
info@enchanted-isle.com


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Here are 3 reasons to consider a Pet & House Sitter:
  1. Your pets need and deserve loving care while you're gone. Keeping them in their own home, on their regular schedule means they're happier while you're gone.  And you come home to happy pets.
  2. No matter how good they are to check on your home, neighbors and family are busy and your pets & home aren't always their top priority.  At times it can be an imposition. And their schedule may not fit your pets' schedule.  
  3. Little things, like keeping the corners vacuumed, the mail and papers brought in (even if you discontinued those, the free advertising papers and flyers can show up), porch swept...all make a difference in whether your home looks empty or occupied.  Having a House Sitter there makes it look better and it's better to come home to.
A Pet Sitter  & House Sitter - Don't leave home without one!

Cats

The first cat I house sat with was rotund, bob-tailed and looked like a furry manatee.  Adorable, but no-touch! 

She was very shy around humans, with a tendancy to get into fights with other cats (she loved going outdoors - a very independent creature, even for a cat!). 

This resulted in an abcess where no one - two-legged or four-legged - would want to get one.  With the help of a neighbor (and her former house provider - the independent creature had moved out and adopted the human she was living with and I was house/cat sitting for), we got her in a carrier and I took her to the vet.  They treated her and gave me medication to give her, with instructions to bring her back if it didn't work.

She didn't take kindly to getting a pet collar (the big pilgrim variety that would prevent licking her wound).

Fortunately she loved the pill pockets I sneaked into her food dish and she healed without a return visit to the vet.

She would even sleep on the foot of the bed and allow herself to be petted - a little.  We parted friends and I even missed her!

Why are some cats so shy?  I've had friendly ones that wanted to be the center of attention and shy ones that hid when company came.

Right now, where I'm house sitting, there's one hiding under the bed (she's started coming out to visit and rub noses with me) and another (called Cookie.  Muffin or Cupcake would be more appropriate for her shape!) is hiding.  But her food dish empties out fast when I'm not looking!

I'm just glad they can stay here, home, with an opportunity to look out the open windows and keep their regular routine.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Who Needs a House Sitter?

Anyone who needs to be away from their home can use a House Sitter! 

For Your Pets:
  • allows them to keep their regular routine
  • be in familiar surroundings - their home, bed, yard
  • with individual care
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 I have known Lynn Ward for about 10 years now. She has been a good friend. She is completely honest and trustworthy. I had no qualms about leaving my house and cats in her care. She did an excellent job of housesitting and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for peace of mind when they go away.  The cats were well cared for and the house was cleaner when i got back then when I left. Thank you Lynn!
Stephen D.
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For Your Home:
  • It's safer!  Discourages break-ins.  Emergencies can be handled quickly in case of water breaks, storms, etc.
  • Mail is secure, can be forwarded.
For Your Plants:
  • Maintain a regular watering and fertilizing schedule.  (I have a Horticulture degree and experience working in a botanical garden and my own yards and gardens.)
So if you travel and need to be away from home, why not relax, knowing your pets & home are being lovingly cared for?