A little about me

I'm a graphic design graduate who went on to complete a combined Master's in Scientific Illustration at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and Maastricht University's Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, graduating in 2019. Since then, I've been working as a freelancer, which also gives me a flexible schedule with plenty of room in it for animals.

I grew up surrounded by animals, and dogs, in particular, have always had a special place in my heart. That love only grew deeper once I had a dog of my own. While dogs have played the biggest role in my personal life, I have just as much patience, attention, and affection to give to cats, and I enjoy caring for them every bit as much.

I currently have two dogs living with my parents in Türkiye, and being away from them, aside from my visits home, is genuinely one of the harder parts of freelance life abroad. Becoming a pet sitter has been my way of staying close to that part of myself, filling that gap with the company of animals who need a bit of love and looking after.

A few years ago, my parents unexpectedly took in a golden retriever we found on the street, in a very pale and frazzled state. Naturally, we couldn't leave her be, so we brought her home. Not long after, she gave birth to 11 healthy puppies, and for a while, an entire room in the house became a nursery. She, Kızım, and her last remaining puppy, Karadut, are still with us today, happy and thriving. Beyond my own dogs, I've also looked after friends' dogs over the years, mostly large breeds, and I genuinely enjoy grooming too. I do it with my own dogs twice a week and I'm happy to include it during a stay.

I'd also like to say a few words about Çocuk, our very first dog, who quickly became a true member of the family, and who taught me more than he probably ever knew. He was trained from a young age by a positive trainer, and it shaped him beautifully, not just in how he behaved, but in how he related to everyone around him for the rest of his life. We lost him, and I still carry that lesson with me in every dog I look after since: that patience and positive training, given early and with care, stay with an animal for life. He's a big part of why I believe so strongly in treating every animal as its own individual, with its own character, sensitivities, and needs, not so different from our own.

What I offer

I'm available for walks, visits, and overnight stays, for both dogs and cats. For overnight stays specifically, my package includes care for one dog with two walks a day, morning and evening. If your routine looks a little different, more animals, a different schedule, or a cat who'd just like some company and a fresh bowl of food, just get in touch and let's figure out what works. Terms may vary a bit from the standard package, but I'm always happy to talk it through.

I'm comfortable with dogs of all sizes, including large breeds, and equally happy to care for cats. Grooming can be included during a stay too, if your dog is used to it.

Good to know before booking

• My own dogs are currently with my parents in Türkiye, so during a stay, your pet has my full attention.
• As a freelancer, my schedule is flexible, which usually makes it easier to fit walks or visits around your pet's normal rhythm.
• I'm always happy to arrange a short meet-and-greet first, so we can make sure it's a good fit before booking.

Thank you for reading this far, it means a lot, and I'd love the chance to look after your dog or cat.