We need someone to care for our home and a 2 year old female Siamese Torti we are currently fostering, (but would like to adopt!) Last January we lost Judo, the beautiful black cat in our profile pictures, and after my daughter lost her cat a year ago, we let her take in Jakki, the Siamese, to help her through her grief. I didn't foresee the loneliness I would experience without having the Furry J's, so enters Jinx, the foster who did not adapt to a cage free, no kill rescue who pulled her from a kill shelter in KY. Since staying here without other animals, she has come out of her shell and we have become bonded.
We would like for you to come at least a day early to meet and give basic instructions for care of our home. We treat all our sitters to dinner the night before we leave and the evening when we return.
We live in the historical Land of Lincoln, capital city of Springfield, IL, with much to offer for those interested in visiting the historical sights. Springfield also has a very active theatre company downtown, and for those who like good craft beer, we have several locally owned microbrew/restaurants. There are several wineries within an hour of Springfield, and our home is only 5 minutes away from major shopping outlets (Kohl's, Target, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, ... We will be happy to have a list of recommendations for LOCAL restaurants, entertainers to look out for during your stay, and other things that may be going on in Springfield during your visit. We are 3 hours from Chicago, and only an hour and a half away from St. Louis, which are both on Amtrak route. If you would want to take a day or two to visit those areas, my daughter is available to check on Jinx in your absence, and she also comes by periodically to go through mail that may need attention in our absence. She is considerate in giving at least a day's notice of when she stops by.
While winters in the Midwest can be quite cold and snowy, we have a wood burning fireplace.
A few details we need to mention:
Our home is non-smoking, so we would ask that smokers not apply.
All our previous housesitters enjoyed their time in Springfield and our home, and I believe would be most happy to attest to the representation of our listing as being accurate. Here is an excerpt from a glowing recap of Larry and DJ's winter sit in our home.
" And speaking of kitties as I write this I have one of them, Judo, in my lap purring contentedly. Like me he’s a bit chilly this morning and we’re sharing body heat, purrs, and coffee while waiting for the sun to warm things up to above freezing. Yes, it’s been a nice two month stay with two cutie kitties despite the chill and definitely going to miss these two! I’m also going to miss Dan and Vera’s home. Probably closer to our living style than any other place we’ve been in to date and the one Debbie Jo and I agree has been the easiest to feel ‘at home’ in the quickest. Normally there is a period of a few days to a week or so in which we have to settle in so to speak but in Dan and Vera’s it was almost instant!"
The full recap, complete with pictures during their stay, can be located at thehappysitters .
Date of departure is approximate depending of availability to check in early at our vacation rental.