Before leaving Australia in 2016 we had secured several house sits in France. This one being in St Laurent sur Gorre in the department of Haute Vienne – France. We were only 25 kms from Limoges, famous for its porcelain.

We would be looking after Corot and Orla the dogs, Jago,Tilly & Minnie the cats & 6 Hens 

Following the owner’s instructions, we were on the lookout for the white chair placed at their front gate, as the property was very rural and setback from the road.
We stayed the night with the owners prior to driving them to the Limoges airport the following morning. They left with us many notes on the care of the animals and also places to visit in the area.

We enjoyed taking ourselves off either morning or afternoon to explore. Some nearby villages included Oradour sur Glane 19kms, Rochechouart 12kms and Aixe sur Vienne 14kms. One day we were very lucky to have our own private tour of one of the porcelain factories as we had arrived when no one else was around AND we were Australians!

 

Daily Routine Included :
Medications for Orla & Tilly
Feeding for the dogs was a very specific routine. Corot had to be fed first. He then did a lap of the kitchen with his bowl in his mouth.  You then had to put him outside minus the bowl. Why? If he still had his bowl and either Orla or any of the chickens came near it, he would attack them. He had previously killed a chicken when this happened. Orla was then fed. She would take her time stopping to look out at Corot as if to tease him.
Jago, Tilly & Minnie all were fed twice a day. Tilly and Minnie would be around you throughout the day. Jago most times was a ginger figure in the distance. He only came in to be fed only when no one was around. Towards the end of the sit I was very pleased that I was able to pat Jago and not have him run off.
Checking daily for ticks.
Fresh Water for everyone daily
Feed and allow the chickens to free range when we were home and to ensure that they were locked up at night away from foxes etc
Mail Collection
Security of the Property

  

This sit was very different from any that we had done due to it’s location and the amount of pets that we had in our care. The house was situated on acreage and a walk through the forest on the land was a daily must with the dogs. The owners fed the wild birds so we ensured that the feeders were also topped up. Through the kitchen window you never knew what might appear one morning a small field mouse and another a wild deer!