🐈‍⬛ Being Their New Friend

Hi! I am Christine (yuxuan) I'm from China, and I'm currently studying at the University of Amsterdam.

I only take house visit/ house sitting/ dog walks /cat boarding

Why I do this

To be honest — I never really got the chance to have my own pet. I've been studying abroad for many years, and it just wasn't possible. But I've always wanted my own doggie and cat. Always.

So pet sitting for me? It's not just a job. It's the closest thing to finally having one of my own.

My experience

My host mom had a cute cat, and I played with her and took care of her for three whole years. Feeding her, cleaning her litter box, chasing her around the house, letting her sleep on my homework — all of it.

Those experiences taught me a lot. Not just how to take care of them, but how to be with them. How to earn their trust slowly.Some of my closest friends own dogs — from tiny Yorkies to energetic Labradors. During holidays when they’re away, I step in to care for their pups at home: I take them out for walks, play with their favorite toys, toss the ball or frisbee for them to chase across the grass, and make sure they get all the exercise and fun they need. Especially for the bigger dogs, I know how important it is to take them out 2-3 times a day to burn off that energy and keep them happy.

Back when I was in high school, I helped rescue a stray puppy with my friends. We took him to the vet for a full check-up, got him vaccinated, and carefully cleaned out the dirt from his ears. It was such a rewarding experience, and it taught me how to care for dogs with extra patience and kindness.

What you can expect

When I come over for drop-in visits, I’ll stay with your pet for about 30 minutes — enough time to feed them, give fresh water, clean up their space, and spend some quality one-on-one time playing or just hanging out. If you’d like a longer walk for your dog, I’m happy to take them out for a stroll around the neighborhood, too. I can also help with small extra tasks like watering plants or collecting your mail, just let me know!

About my home:

I live in a cozy studio with my own kitchen and bathroom. Since the space is on the smaller side, I don’t think it would give dogs enough room to move around comfortably. That said, cats are more than welcome to stay with me! My little space is warm and quiet, so they can play, nap, and feel right at home.