Petsitting is not for cowards

I love my life. I am a stay-at-home mom of several canine 'kids'. Because I already have a multi-dog household a few extra dogs more or less doesn't make much of a difference in the whole scheme of things. It is a good thing however that I am not a meticulous neat freak because with the number of dogs that call this home their home....well, you can probably imagine!

Dogs going in and out, rain or shine, do make a mess and there is no getting around that. A few 'accidents' of both the liquid and solid type have also been known to have occurred in this house, and I am grateful that I have no carpets in the main living areas.

Easy-going, go-with-the-flow, and don't sweat the small stuff - that pretty much describes the attitude one must have to surround oneself with a house full of dogs. Particularly so if you also invite other dogs to share your space and interact with your own dogs. This life would drive some people absolutely crazy but I am fortunate in that I am already a little crazy! So say several of my friends and family anyway ;-) To be honest, there are also those who envy me this lifestyle and my furry companions.

Occasionally, alternative housing arrangements have to be made for animals due to vacations or other situations that require the pet's owners to be away from their home. This can be a real worry as almost everyone who is owned by a bichon will tell you that many of the commercial boarding kennels cannot provide what your precious fluff wants most - and that is personal, immediate and continual attention and affection. Those boarding dogs that usually sleep with their people will be likewise accommodated at my house. (God bless my long-suffering husband! He shares our bed with up to 6 dogs some nights, with nary a complaint.)

The knowledge that I am providing a safe and loving environment for someone's canine family member is very satisfying. And to know that I am trusted to handle not only every day care, but also any emergency that may arise, is very humbling.

I can't predict how long I will continue to love what I am doing, but for now I am happy. My house will continue to take a back seat to my dogs. The pretty possessions that many women put importance in just don't do it for me. I have my own pretty 'things' - my dogs - and I am blessed to be able to share and contribute to the lives of others' dogs and be their substitute mom on a short term basis when needed.

Labels: petsitting/vacation/dogsitting/daycare/boarding/kennel