A day in the life of a Pet Sitter
Pet sitting is something I've always done...I remember my brother had a dog, Coco. He was an outside dog as most dogs were back then. I would go sweep his area almost daily. When I was done I would lay on his chest and fall asleep. Since I can remember I've always been tasked with taking care of others pets. I didn't always get paid, but that was OK. I loved animals and I wanted to care for them. I started an official pet sitting business in 1994, after being laid off from my 'real' job. I've learned a lot about pet sitting over the past 16 (17 in Nov.) years and I love being a pet sitter. So, enough of that...you want to know what I do! What is a typical day in the life of a pet sitter? Here we go...Aug 13th, 2011.
5:30 am: Alarm clock rings....ahhh...is it already morning? Yes it is. I'm actually happy to get up and going. I have a big day today with 17 visits. I hit the alarm button. Koda, my dog hears me moves and stretches and gets ready to go out.
5:45 am: I am on the road to go let Hannah out. It use to be Baxter and Hannah, but Baxter has passed and she is feeling very lonely without her best friend.
6:15 and Hannah and I have played tennis ball for 10 minutes after her breakfast and potty time. Time to go get a Starbucks to help me keep up with today’s pets.
6:30 am: My next stop is at a friends house. She and her son have gone out of town and I am taking care of her dog and cat. Fluffy and Casper are happy to see me. Casper use tobe our cat. When I moved we could not take him with us, but because my friend adopted him I still get to see him.
6:45 am: Fluffy has been walked and fed. Casper’s litter box is nice and clean. I head home to shower and eat breakfast.
8 am: Next stop on my pet sitting morning rounds is to see Simba, Lucky, Tino and Bella. Simba has been recently diagnosed with diabetes. He requires a Blood Glucose reading before being fed to see if he needs insulin. This is not an easy task to do. When he was first diagnosed, I went to the Vet with his owner to learn how to do a reading on cats. I learned I prefer using his ear as it is much easier and you get better drop of blood. I think he prefers it also. Lucky loves to be combed and purrs very loudly when I comb him. He is the most loving one of the 4. Tino is the youngest and very playful. Bella is very shy and hides and runs. Everyone fed. Insulin given. Litter boxes cleaned. I am on my way again.
8:30 am I head home to shower and eat breakfast. Back in my car and on my way again....
9 am Time to see Katie kitty...a very social little cat that is full of personality. I picked her up and she started purring loudly. I always look forward to kitty sitting for my friend, Katie. My client's left me a note and asked me to water some outside plants and help myself to as much lettuce from the garden as I desired. Yay! I love the perks of pet sitting....what a nice treat. I was going to stop at Fred Meyer next to get some lettuce for Lil' Miss Funny Face, the turtle, but now I don't have to. After giving Katie lots of TLC, cleaning her box, feeding her and taking care of the plants, I'm on the road again.
9:30: a quick stop at the ATM to deposit last weeks' checks. It's hard to find the time to do these things.
9:45 am: Fish, geckos and Lil' Miss the turtle are next on my agenda. I prepare a bath for Lil' Miss so she can get hydrated. While she is swimming, I care for the geckos, fish, and plants. Then I clean Lil' Miss's cage and rip some of the fresh lettuce for her. I let her walk about the apartment...she loves to stretch her legs. Then I put her back into her aquarium...she dives into the pile of fresh lettuce...yummm. Back to my car and on my way.
10:30 am: Time to see Bentley and Buffy, two cutie Maltese puppies. Brother and Sister and so much fun. I have been letting let out on Saturday’s since they were 8 weeks old.
11:15 am: I swing up to the North end of Valpo to see visit Hannah again to let out and play ball again.
12 noon: Just a quick jaunt back to Fluffy and Casper’s again.
12:15 - 12:45 Two Bullies name Bellwood and Bridgette. These two are such characters to walk. Bridgette wants to get to the park to see if anyone left a ball she can grab and destroy. They love lazing around on their bed.
1:00 pm. Home for a break! Then I jump on the computer to send updates up to my clients.
1:30 pm: Back to the Bentley and Buffy‘s, play and outside time.
2-3 pm: I get a quick hair cut in.
4 pm Hannah’s for the 3rd time.
4:30 pm: Round three with the Maltese puppies.
5:00 pm. Time to visit Scooter, Abby and Fanny Mae. This is my first visit of the day.
6:00 pm. Home to eat dinner, email clients, throw a load of wash in.
7 pm. It was nice to visit with my family and dog for a short while. Now its back out to finish up for the day. Fluffy needs walked again. Casper is waiting for treats and some snuggling.
8 pm Simy needs his blood glucose checked again and possibly insulin.
8:45 Hannah needs let out for the last time tonight.
9:45 Scooter Abby and Fanny Mae need their last letout for the night.
11 pm Finally, I drop into bed so I can do it all again tomorrow!
Crazy schedule? Yes, but I still love pet sitting!
There you have it! What do you think now?!
My name is Tami Truex. I am a professional pet sitter and owner of Head to Tail Pet Sitting of Valparaiso, IN. I've been in the pet sitting business since 1994. My services include pet sitting, house sitting, dog walking, and cat care.
Leave your pets and worries with me
