Apparently, the alternative to wallowing in a Mid Life Crisis is to take a Mid Life Leap instead... I've just turned 40 (in August) and have realised that I'm looking for more in life than just work so I took the year off to travel through the USA, Europe and Asia before returning to Sydney in December. I'm a responsible and thoughtful non-smoker who keeps things cleans and tidy, and would leave your home just as I found it. Since I was 21, I've travelled through North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and I know what it's like to be away from your pet and home.
I moved to Sydney, Australia from England 11 years ago, living in Rozelle and then Surry Hills. My apartment is currently rented so I’ll take the opportunity to continue to housesit, living in and experiencing new suburbs. I’ve worked as a recruiter for 15 years and do freelance work from home as a cv writer and recruiter, so will be in for most of each day to walk your dog, cuddle your cat/dog and curl up for afternoon naps.
I grew up with a dog and walked him daily from the age of 10 to 15, before having a cat for 10 years from when I was 20. While living in Sydney, I looked after friends’ cats and dogs for periods of time ranging from long weekends to 7 weeks. Since March 2017, I’ve done 5 housesits in the US and 13 in London, ranging from 2 nights to 10, with 4 of these being repeat bookings. I’ve looked after kittens to elderly dogs, administering pills and eye drops, and feeding dry, wet or raw food. I’ve won over shy cats and nervous dogs, and the largest pet I’ve looked after was a 45kg Newfoundland dog.
My philosophy with animals is to let them come to you on their terms, when they're ready and once you've earned their trust rather than trying to force a friendship. Dogs are relatively easy – if you feed and walk them, chances are you'll have found a friend, but cats are more independent and it's on their terms – you often have to work harder to win them over!