We are Matt and Paula Hughes, Canadians and British Columbians in our early seventies; we are both in good health and of cheerful disposition.
We have both had our second Pfizer Covid vaccine shots.
We have been full-time house- and pet-sitters since 2007. After having travelled the world and lived in twelve different countries, we are now seeking sits in our home province of BC but expect to look for European sits again in 2022.
I am an award-winning author of sf and suspense fiction, with twenty-three novels in print or in the publishing pipeline, from publishers large and small in Canada, the US, Britain, France and Italy. I also edit books for publishers and occasionally work as a ghostwriter. Before turning to fiction, and while I was raising three sons, I worked as a freelance consultant speechwriter for Canadian political leaders and senior corporate executives. I have also written screenplays for independent producers and even radio comedy for the CBC. Now that our sons are grown, I am less interested in making money than in being able to write what I like while seeing some more of the world. Having lived in France and Italy, I can speak rudimentary French and Italian.
Paula was a full-time mother and homemaker until our boys were all in school. She then trained as a carer and community support worker, supporting adults with learning and physical disabilities, and did that work for fifteen years.
We are nonsmokers, moderate drinkers. Paula is an able gardener; I handle the spade work. I am no great handyman but I can unblock a sink or change a fuse. We both drive and have no demerit points on our Canadian drivers licences.
We are good with animals. Between us, we have looked after dogs (including huge breeds like Irish wolfhound and Tibetan mastiff), cats, horses, dairy cattle, pigs, chickens, and the usual assortment of rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters that feature in raising children. We have no animal phobias and would be comfortable looking after tarantulas.
You can see our RCMP criminal records check and excellent references on our web page. The URL is at the top right of this listing.