We were so pleased to be chosen by Oreo’s owners to sit for them. This was to be our last sit prior to returning to Australia. We were very familiar with the area after Maisons Laffitte being our base in 2013 after purchasing a motorhome. It is such a lovely town only 18kms from the centre of Paris.

Oreo’s owners warned us that he is not a cuddly cat and certainly doesn’t like to be picked up. He has the full run of the apartment and is allowed to frequent the stairwell in the afternoon when it was safe for him to be in that area of the building due to shared access to the apartments.

Oreo had several favourite spots. He mostly spent the bulk of his time in his scratching post basket either awake or asleep. He also popped up in the funniest of places. He is an indoor only cat and we were very vigilant at all times to ensure that he stayed inside.

With heading to France in May we were very pleased to be chosen (while still in Australia) to care firstly for Archie and then Chester, a Spanish rescue which the owners picked up from Spain a few weeks before we arrived. The home is just stunning and even though we experienced France’s heatwave with high 30 to 40 degree days the whole time we were there we were able to achieve looking both after Chester, Archie and the beautiful property to the standard we like to achieve.

Chester and Archie kept us amused with their very different personalities and because of some behavioral issues Chester had a dog trainer visit 3 times a week. Thankfully he continued to come while we were there to walk this very strong and excitable boy due to Bruno breaking his 5th metatarsal a week out from starting the sit. Archie enjoyed his walks around the village where everyone knew this very slow walking boy who thoroughly enjoyed getting out to experience the sights, smells & sounds of the village.

We are always excited to apply for a sit that includes animals that we have not looked after before, here in Mapleton being the 2 Miniature Ponies! We were very happy to be chosen to care for Cleo a little Cavoodle, Paris & Willow Miniature Ponies, Two Budgerigars, Canary & Fish. Their beautiful home is on acreage in the Sunshine Coast region.

Cleo loved playing ball and was always just one step behind you. She took an extra shine to Bruno and could always be found wherever he was. All the pets were easy to look after and we had a great time doing so. Paris and Willow (Mother & Daughter) were put into their shelter at night and fed. During the day after being let out they had the run of a fenced off area and also a section of the neighbour’s yard also fenced. They were both very friendly and enjoyed attention.

We were very happy to be chosen by Daisy’s owners to sit for them as we were days away from moving back into our apartment and the timing and location was perfect!

Daisy loves her ball games! I am sorry that I didn’t capture more photos of this. She especially loved the ball to be rolled down the hallway and with lightening speed she would retrieve it. She enjoyed her morning and afternoon walks and was the decider on which way you went. (Heading to the dog park was a speciality, just when you thought you were going away from it, there it appeared! She certainly knew her ways to get you there)

We originally applied to sit Rosie for the month of July, being accepted for that sit we were then asked by the owners if we wanted to have a short sit in April with Rosie which we accepted. We feel very privileged to be caring for senior pets, there is just something about them and Rosie was no different.

Being a senior lady that came with some health issues and at the time of the sit she required daily heart medication and also eye drops for an eye infection. Both, she took with no fuss at all. We were very pleased in the short time that we were there her eye had cleared by the end of the sit. Because of her age also walking was not required but she certainly got her exercise each day guarding the balcony perimeter. She would go out in the afternoon and do several laps of the balcony and that was no mean feat as the balcony is quite large!

We thoroughly enjoyed caring for Rosie and sadly we never got to look after her again as she passed away early June. She will be missed greatly leaving a void in her owners lives.

Lucca and Marley are our second set of standard schnauzers that we have cared for. They live in the beautiful leafy suburb of Windsor not far from the Brisbane city centre. Living near a sports park they were able to roam freely on their twice daily walks.

They were so well behaved never running off too far and at the end of their walks would jump up on a concrete area knowing that it was going home and treat time!

We had the enjoyable experience of being introduced to croquet. Lucca and Marley’s owner arranged for us to go to her club (within walking distance) and have a game. When we settle back into our apartment this is something we hope to look into.

Monty and Kobi are two much loved little senior citizens. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them and they could be found most times together! We love all the pets we sit for but caring for older pets is very rewarding we feel.

Kobi could be found during the day in his favourite spot in the garden but Monty mainly stayed in the house apart from his toilet breaks where he needed to be carried down as now stairs are not his favourite things. He does like a little daily walk to the corner on his lead.

We would gladly return to care for them both and have been asked by the owners to do so but unfortunately were not available.

It is always so nice to be invited back to previous sits and Sampson is no exception. This is our fifth time caring for this boy. Our last sit with him was back in 2020 and he has since moved house! Well from a house to an apartment. He is very easy going, not so much of a cuddler but does love the occasional belly rub!

Sampson likes to be around you and has his favourite spots in the house to observe what’s going on. Always on his chair during lunch and dinner prep. He also positions himself on the ensuite basin waiting for the tap to be turned on. Even though he does have his drinking bowl he also likes to drink occasionally from the ensuite tap. He gave us a run for our money one day with not being able to find him anywhere. Our last resort was to look in the main bedroom cupboard and out peeked that adorable face!!!

We never tire of the differences between the sits, and the pets. We went from smaller pets with our previous sit to larger ones this time! Spike and Lucy are both rescue dogs and whereby similar in size had very different personalities. Spike is a Staffy Cross and Lucy a Kelpie Cross both gentle & calm in nature. Casper named for obvious reasons, I think, kept us entertained with his antics.

Spike is a big gentle boy and previously a therapy dog. They both walked well on the lead and looked forward to their Denta Sticks in the morning, their evening meals and any treats during the day. We found it lovely that wherever we were, they liked to be also. A lot of time by the pool was had! Casper also was never too far away being allowed out during the day but in for the night after his dinner.

Both Spike and Lucy were very intrigued with the lizard living in the garden box at the side of the house. Thankfully he/she had the knowledge to not actually venture out from the box. Spike & Lucy knew it was there but thankfully never encountered it face to face. Lucy gave up after a while but Spike would still be there I think if we didn’t distract him in some way! This was a daily occurrence!

We were so pleased to be chosen to look after Nacho, Cleo and the owner’s beautiful home, only a few minutes from family which was perfect for us given the time of year. Nacho and Cleo were easy care and kept us amused with their antics. With Cleo only being a kitten it was entertaining seeing her daily interaction with Nacho.

Across the road from the home is this great park. We were able to walk Nacho early morning and evening and it is a real meeting place for owners and their dogs. Nacho particularly liked running into the owner with the treats! We also were able to take her to nearby walks in the car to the the waterfront at two separate spots.

The day before leaving we took Nacho for a wash. We enjoyed our time with both her and Cleo and have been asked by her owners to return. This is something we will do gladly!