Hello! I am an enthusiastic animal lover with years of experience with dogs and cats. I'm looking forward to meeting your furry friends! Experience with Dogs I grew up with two dogs (Labrador and Australian Shepherd), one of whom was quite anxious. I walked the dogs daily, played with them, and participated in training them. During this time, I also volunteered at an animal shelter, where I encountered a range of dogs, including those with medical issues, learning how to accommodate their specific needs. My anxious Australian Shepherd could be quite difficult, but I learned to interact and calm him with gentleness and an assuring presence. I carry this experience with me when meeting new pets, which is perhaps why my nickname is "the cat whisperer" in my neighborhood! Pet Sitting Experience In my adult life, I have continued pet sitting for friends when needed. This included a multi-day house sit on a small farm caring for chickens, horses, multiple cats, and three large dogs, as well as caring for dogs that had difficulties with new people. We also had a cat - a large Maine Coon cat named Brian. Besides caring for Brian, I frequently pet sat for our neighbors when they were away (dogs and cats). This included feeding, litter box cleaning, giving medication, and lots of cuddles and play time! My Approach: Going the Extra Mile I am patient and loving towards all animals and willing to go the extra mile. I truly try to understand where a pet is coming from and respect their boundaries. When appropriate, I can also be an energetic and spirited companion for your pets. I enthusiastically throw myself into playtime - especially a trusted feather for those excitable kittens or "ball ball" for wiggly puppies! And when play time is over, we can all cuddle and take a wonderful nap together :) Why I'm on Pawshake Life has started to feel a bit emptier after beloved childhood pet Brian the cat passed away back home with my parents recently. My dogs, Cassie and Rusty, passed away a few years before that. I miss them so much. So in their honor, I decided to spread some love and make a little side money by joining Pawshake. Services Offered I offer dog walking, home visits, and house sitting. I'm reliable, send updates during visits, and treat every pet as if they were my own. Reference While I am still relatively new to Pawshake, I have included a reference from one of my previous experiences: "Sarah was a perfect pet-sitter, we could not have asked for more! She took care of our two chihuahuas and a cat (no small feat!) while the whole family was away at a wedding. One of the dogs is slow to warm up to new people but she adored Sarah! We were so happy with her and trusted her completely with the animals as she clearly is very skilled with them" - Maria in Dublin