If I have to go away for a few days, I can't leave my dog with just anyone. While Sally is a…read moresweetheart inside the house, she's always looking for trouble outside, and can be especially reactive with other dogs. I need to know that the person who cares for my dog can handle my lil firecracker and prevent trouble from happening.
My good friend who lives across the street is such a person, but more than a couple of days of dogsitting is kind of an imposition for a friend. I definitely did not want to send my large, energetic dog to a kennel (aka doggy jail). Bronte Pet Services to the rescue! I found them through a link on the website of the also-awesome Dizine Canine training centre. These wonderful people, April and Lauren and their team of petsitters, specialize in and even enjoy working with challenging dogs. They are also involved with HugABull rescue and are well-trained and experienced in reactive dog handling.
We exchanged a few emails, and a couple of days before the trip, April, who would be sitting for us (the sitter she initially matched us with had to cancel) and another Lauren, who would providing some relief, came over for a home visit and to get the keys and contracts, etc. Sally loved them right away (cookies!), and when we left for the trip, we felt assured she - and the house - was in good hands.
Knowing my dog, I had some lingering worries, but the first progress report email dispelled them completely. Throughout the trip, April sent us emails and pictures regularly to update us on how things were going. They would generally stay overnight and give her morning and evening walks and feeding.
I'm also super happy with all extras April brought to the arrangement. She brought over her own doggy puzzle toys for Sally to solve to get her dinner - and who doesn't like to be told their dog is smart enough to solve the hardest ones with ease? She also introduced us to using a body halter, rather than the head halter I had been using, and even lent me one to try out after we got back. And she definitely wore my dog out with lots of interesting walks and "urban agility" exercises in the park nearby.
They take care of all kinds of pets, but I love that they love taking care of even the more challenging (difficult, smart, energetic) animals. And I love that, since finding Bronte Pet Services, I feel like maybe I can now take a vacation once in a while!