Introducing D1. I’ve decided, in the interest of confidentiality, to be vague about certain details about my -sits.
D1 is a chihuahua-cross with more personaility than a great dane.
I did a pre-meet with the owner to make sure she (the dog) approved of me. I was concerned because my response to her raising her leg on my foot in her best this-is-how-the-boys-pee was fast and furious and included an “aaah!!” But the owner was pleased as it was explained that D1 liked me – she only raised her leg on people she liked and, it’s ok, she never actually pees.
And so it was that I got my first gig – a 9-night dog-sit in a nice little condo in an established part of town. Ground floor so, in between walks, I could hook D1 to her long lead and lift her over onto the grass for a pee. A poo meant a leg-stretching climb over the retaining wall to scoop it but, I am pleased to report, that is still within my capabilities!
As we all know, every pet is different. I was concerned about D1’s whimpering if I was doing something – she had the run of the place and all the furniture, but it didn’t take me long to realize it meant that my lap was not available to her. My tablet, a book, my coffee, better not be taking up the prime real estate that was my lap.
The picture above is immediately after a podcast interview that she had interupted until I lifted her onto my lap, keeping a hand under her butt so she could look up at me with those adoring (my story) eyes! My big old Noxie (now deceased) had appreciated my interviews because she knew she could curl up somewhere and be undisturbed for an hour!
The pet-sit went quickly. While an established neighbourhood, I didn’t know it well and it had some isiocyncrasies to get used to. The grocery was a quick walk away and it prepared all sorts of delectable meals, the smallest of which would last two meals! Yay! Access to my clients was quick and easy. Parking was in a locked parkade.
When the owner got home, it was apparent (apparently) that D1 was a happy puppy. That pleased the owner of course, and it was then that I heard some unfortunate experiences they’d had with some pet-sitters. Reality, I suppose.
My first review was a good one so I am officially a -sitter!
