Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from the age of two, and because of that, I have never really seen dogs as simply “pets” or animals living in our home. To me, a dog is a member of the family, almost like a sibling. They grow up with you, become part of your memories and routines, and have their own unique personality that you learn to understand over the years.

My first dog, Barney, had a very special story. When he first became part of our family, his back legs were paralyzed and he could not walk properly. My mother was incredibly dedicated to helping him. Every day, she would let him swim in the bathtub and help exercise his legs to make them stronger. With a lot of patience, love and care, he eventually learned to walk again.

Barney was there throughout almost my entire childhood. Growing up with him taught me that caring for a dog is not only about feeding them or taking them for walks. It is about understanding when something is wrong, being patient with them, giving them attention and making them feel safe and loved.

Sadly, we lost Barney to illness in 2020. Losing him was incredibly difficult for me because it genuinely felt like losing a family member. After spending almost my entire childhood with him, it was very strange to imagine our home without a dog in it. For a while, we truly believed that we could never have another one because the loss had affected us so deeply.

But sometimes things happen when you least expect them. Another Cavalier King Charles came into our lives through a friend. His previous family was moving to London and needed to find him a new home. My friend knew how we had cared for and loved Barney and told me that, because of this, I was the first person she thought of and trusted to give him a loving home. That meant a lot to me, and he eventually became another member of our family.

These experiences are a big reason why I would love to care for other people’s dogs. I know how important it is to trust the person you leave your dog with. If I look after your dog, I will never think of it as simply “watching someone’s pet.” I will treat them with the same patience, attention and affection that I would want someone to give my own dog.

Whether your dog loves long walks and playing, prefers cuddling on the sofa, or simply needs someone nearby to feel comfortable, I am happy to adapt to their personality and routine. Every dog is different, and I think getting to know those little differences is one of the most beautiful parts of spending time with them.

Although I have never worked professionally as a dog sitter before, looking after animals has always been a natural part of my life. My friends know how much I love animals and how comfortable I am around them, so whenever they travel or need someone they trust to take care of their pets, my family and I are often among the first people they ask. I have looked after my friends’ pets many times, and I genuinely enjoy doing it.

For day care or boarding, I prefer to look after a small number of dogs at a time so that I can give each of them enough individual attention and make sure they feel comfortable and safe. I would normally prefer one dog at a time, but I can also care for two dogs if they already know each other and are comfortable together.

I am also happy to follow each owner’s usual feeding schedule, portion sizes and any specific instructions, because I know how important routine can be for dogs. The same applies to exercise: walks, playtime and activity can be adapted to the dog’s age, energy level and normal routine. I can take them on multiple walks throughout the day if that is what they are used to.

I also try not to leave a dog alone for long periods while they are in my care. How long they can comfortably stay alone depends on the individual dog and what they are used to at home, so I would always discuss this with the owner beforehand. My priority is to make their stay feel as familiar, relaxed and loving as possible. I want both the dog and their owner to feel completely comfortable while they are with me. 🐾❤️