I have been travelling and house sitting for almost a decade. I house/animal sit, caretake properties and act as a landlord and gardener during my travels or when I am back in my homeland Canada. I worked as a gardener for a few seasons and this has been helpful for house sit positions. I also have experience maintaining hot tubs and pools on some of the premises I have cared for. I am on the Sunshine Coast in BC now l and I am booked till Mar 2nd. I am available for other housesits in BC - esp Vancouver, Nelson, Saltspring Island, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. Yet I am open to other possibilities.
I adore animals. I grew up on a 250 acre farm in the Kootenays in Canada and we had a wide variety of pets including cows, horses, sheep, rabbits, dogs, cats, lamas, a donkey, and a few exotic animals like pet skunks, a ferret and squirrel monkeys.
I have animal sat for gentle bunnies, brat cats, fierce yet highly affectionate Rottweilers, a sweet puppy chihuahua, Norwegian Elkhounds, clusters of character chickens and a Mexican cat that gave birth to kittens (2 years consecutively) in my care - just to name a few - as well as aging animals and others with special needs and unique idiosyncrasies. I have even snake sat for a sometimes hug-able six foot long boa - so I am up for many situations. I love elephants in case anyone needs an aspiring mahout . . .
Why I love to house and animal sit
I love animals yet because I am quite the nomad, I get most of my animal love from the pets I look after when I travel. I appreciate the comfort of a home when I am travelling or back in Canada. It also gives me the chance to become part of the community. Plus it is easier for me to work on my projects when I am still. It is such a great exchange to offer my care for animals and a home while I enjoy the privilege as well. I have had incredible experiences doing this.
I just house sat in Mexico, and have also card for homes and animals in Costa Rica, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, New York and Fire Island. In BC, Canada I have house sat in Vancouver, Nelson, the Sunshine Coast, Saltspring Island and the Okanagan. I have spent the last 3 winters in Mexico where I had house/animal care positions in San Miguel, Yelapa, Puerto Vallarta, near Barra de Navidad, Sayulita and in Ajijic and around Lake Chapala.
My mother language is English yet I speak some Spanish and French, and I am up for trying Italian, Portuguese and other languages.
I really appreciate unique homes that can instigate creativity. I sometimes write fairy tales as well as non fiction and love being inspired by my surroundings. I have also stayed at unusual and magical places such as a tree house, a ship, and a cave. I am also working on a book called 'I am Home Free' which covers some of my adventures being a nomad.
What I bring to your home and pets
With almost 10 years of house/animal sitting, I have had an assortment of incredible experiences. I consider one's home their 'sanctuary' and will treat your home and surroundings with respect as though it were my own and follow your specific house and animal care guidelines. I can assure you that your animals will receive tender loving care from me while you are away.
References
I have great references that can be contacted - some of whom I have house sat for on several occasions and some that I have known for years and developed wonderful friendships with. You can refer to my list of quotes from them on the reference pages and I can provide contact information when a potential sit unfolds.
I spend a lot of time at home to work on my creative projects and appreciate quiet and alone time. I am a nonsmoker and very conscientious of my wellbeing. I have a yoga and meditative practice that keeps me grounded. I also appreciate animals for keeping me centered and I welcome their unconditional love as much as they receive mine.
Please contact me if you feel I would fit into a house and animal care situation for you that will be rewarding for both of us.
Thank you so much.
Saludos
"She was the best house/cat sitter I could have ever imagined."