I speak Dutch, English and Greek fluently.
THE WHY
I grew up always having animals around (cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises…). Since leaving my hometown I’ve had this nagging feeling of something missing in my life. It makes me happy to provide a service that would mean a less stressful and even fun experience for the pets at their own home or in a safe environment!
THE HOW
Having a biologist as a father has for sure contributed to my pragmatic and natural treatment of animals. My goal is always to win the pet's trust first and put them at ease. I love animals of any kind and appreciate the pet's individual personality far more than their being a cat or a dog! I have never had any animal ever not come to me after a while. There have been various cases of pets allowing me to approach them even though they were thought to be very difficult with strangers.
DOGS
I have experience with various kinds of dogs, from shelter to breeder and from big doggo to small pupper. My family has fostered dogs until they found a proper home. I have been an active part of the training process of those dogs throughout. Our own family dog is a major reason I always return to my parent's house every few weeks ;) I live near nature and several parks, so your dog will for sure be well-exercised from all the walking when you get him/her back! I always aim at walking distances suitable for the abilities of your dog, so long/short walks depending on their energy levels.
CATS
My parents had two Persians when I was little and after a long no-cat period I have grown to love them once again. As a family we have had to bottle feed stray kitties a few times. Cats like me well enough to sit on me while I'm reading. I aim at being a calm figure near them for me to earn their trust, I will never push them to be petted or picked up.
MY APPROACH TO PETSITTING
After your request we schedule a meeting for you to introduce your pet to me and to see how it goes, whether that's at my home or at yours. This is when we determine your and your pet's needs and how/if I'm able to meet them. It is important to me that both the pet(s) and I feel at ease with each other, so communication is key for both our safety and happiness. Therefore I ask a variety of questions about the pet's routine, behaviour, training etc. and expect honest answers in return :) I love spending as much time with your pet as possible, and I will always inquire about how much alone-time they are used to.
During your pet's stay I prefer setting some rules for them (mutually agreed upon with you of course!), so they can quickly get used to the new situation/environment and for us to get along well.
Thanks for reading and I hope that you will trust me with the care of your beloved pet! You can rest assured that I'll look after your pet accordingly and that upon return you'll find your pet happy, healthy and relaxed!
Miriam was wonderful with our dog Elf. She took care of him at our house for 3 weeks when we were away; sent us frequent updates and spent much quality time with Elf, taking long walks and playing with him. She has been very communicative and responsible throughout the whole period - both in relation to our dog and our house. It was so clear that Elf was in love with her and would have loved to spend even more time :) Overall a great experience - we only wish we could hire her again.
Miriam took a great care of our dog Dara for 10 days while we were abroad. We were getting regular updates about all the adventures Miriam and Dara went on during this time (apparently our dog now likes skateboarding :) ), so we could have the peace of mind that Dara is well taken care of and relaxed. A highly recommended sitter! Thanks for everything, Miriam! :)
I have experience caring for rabbits and rodents, and exotic animals such as tortoises and lizards.