ABOUT THIS SITTER
-- Mature, active, 60 year olds, non-smokers, no drug use.
-- Nancy is a retired school principal and counselor.
-- Educated (academically as well as practical real-world), well-travelled, and enjoy experiencing new places, people, and customs.
-- We both compete in Masters/Senior Games (Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia, so far) (track and field, race walking, indoor rowing, swimming).
-- Married 20 years; six grown children; six grandchildren.
-- Mild-mannered, quiet and calm disposition. Very patient.
WHY HOUSE-CARE?
We have a strong desire to take our travel and life experiences to a whole new level by creating a "Win-Win-Win" situation for all involved:
1. A Win for your pets: they get to stay in their own home and familiar surroundings with their consistent routine. Cared for by loving people providing personalized attention and engaged to keep their minds and bodies active. This is much better than the impersonal kennel situation, or being taken out of their home.
2. A Win for you: While away from home you can be rest assured and confident your pets and home are being pampered with the utmost care and diligence.
3. A Win for us: We gain satisfaction knowing that you get to travel and have a much needed break from the usual daily routine. House-caring enables us to elevate our travel to a whole new level. We aren't interested in the "bus tour through 10 countries and seven capital cities in 14-days" type travel. We want to take it slower by engaging in responsible and meaningful travel. To travel with purpose. To experience what the typical tourist rushes past. Our lives will be enriched more through house-caring than being on a tour bus.
EXPERIENCE
-- In an "earlier life" Shawn was a homesteader raising sheep, llamas, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigs and horses. And, of course an array of farm dogs and cats.
-- Before and after the homestead period we both had pet dogs, cats, turtles, rodents (mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs).
-- Have house-cared and pet-cared for family and friends over the years.
-- Have been home-owners for 40 years, with gardens (flower and vegetable), trees (ornamental, fruit, and timber). We do our own landscaping and gardening in a strict HOA community.
-- I (Shawn) volunteers at a horse-centered therapy facility where I assist people of all ages and abilities ride a horse. Also, I work as a substitute in local schools. Both the therapy facility and the schools required background checks.
-- Very thorough background checks done by Canadian and US authorities for my US Permanent Resident card.
-- Experience driving in North America, Europe, and New Zealand/Australia.
OTHER ATTRIBUTES
-- Our skills, knowledge and experiences from a life living with animals and homes in many different climates and situations.
-- Common sense practicality.
-- Honest and reliable. Respectful. Flexible.
-- Take pride in completing any task successfully.
-- Appreciation for the simple things in life.