Experienced house sitter (nonsmoker) with references, pet lover, tenured professor (twenty years) and writer available to spend summers and holidays taking care of your house, garden and pets as if they were my own (or better!). I have raised three children and multiple pets of every kind: parrots (and all kinds of birds), dogs of every size, cats of every variety almost, turtles, fish, lizards, guinea pigs, rats, mice, rabbits and more. I love animals and enjoy learning their personalities and interacting with them. But I'm ok without them if you're just looking for a house sitter. I am a Professor of English and a writer. I love to travel but don't have much money to do so. I like to live in new places, not simply visit as a tourist, so house sitting is great for me. I am not a partier, like to read and write, so my impact on the places I stay is minimal. I have lived in many different situations at home and abroad, so I am able to go without creature comforts where those are not available. I love the outdoors, love plants and gardens, but like city life as well. I am handy and resourceful, not easily flustered by domestic events (plumbing problems, loss of electricity, etc.). I own my own home (an old farmhouse) and take care of its maintenance myself. I am due a leave from my university, so if you have a really tempting place, I may be able to house sit outside of the summers or holidays. I can provide references. Right now I am sitting in a house that is up for sale, keeping it in tip-top shape for its showings, and the realtor loves the work I'm doing. I'd love to find a place for this summer. Get in touch with me if you think I might be the person you're looking for!