Long sit! Blue Ridge farmhouse with adorable kittens!!!

About this assignment

*** Please note that we cannot accommodate any other pets. ***

Hi! We're Erin and Mike, aprofessional couple who have traded in big cities (Chicago, DC, PDX) for Virginia farmhouse life. We love travel, road trips, thrifting and antiquing, good food, hiking, rock climbing, and architecture.

Our animals are very important to us, and we miss them terribly when we're away. They're all fairly low-maintenance, provided you're around to supply love and attention, and deal with the usual food/litter/water requirements. No special needs.

Communication is the most important aspect of the whole sit experience, on either side. We appreciate a daily update, even if it's just a photo or two. In return we will always text or message back as soon as possible, and respond to any queries you have.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Indoor cats. Dry food in AM; pill for Veselka in pill pocket (she eats it with no trouble). Wet food and probiotic in evenings. Letterboxes (2) scooped daily, changed weekly. Lots of love, for Sabrina in particular, who is a needy little lovebug.

All cats are affectionate and fairly low-maintenance. Sabrina desperately wants to run for the door whenever you open it, and will want to be near you at all times.

TURTLE WEXLER (DOGGO): Outside potty, walk, and play trips in the yard, 3-4x daily. Fed 2x daily. Keeping her crated when you're not at home. Making sure she's not being too enthusiastic with the cats.

HOUSE: Trash is picked up on Friday mornings. Recycling can be stored on the porch until we return to bring it to the dump. Bring in mail and packages as needed. Deal with any (minor) household issues that arise during your stay.

GARDEN/YARD: Eat or harvest whatever you like. During summer we would like someone to regularly water the ornamental beds and herbs. Gardener comes weekly for heavier chores such as mowing and weeding.

What are the good features of the property and location

1920s farmhouse remodeled in the 1990s. Brand new sofa and memory foam mattress. WiFi, smart TV (Disney/Hulu/Prime/Spotify), dishwasher, new washer and dryer. Fully stocked kitchen with extensive batterie de cuisine, any and all of which sitters are welcome to use.

Sitters stay in the master bedroom with its own bathroom, shower, and Japanese Toto toilet. Downstairs has an extra large sofa that can sleep two adults comfortably. We have a cot that we can provide if more space is needed.

We're on a literal dirt road shared with a few neighbors, so you should find it extremely easy to social distance. Two acres of woodland if you want to get a little solitude. Big wraparound porch. Great vegetable garden in summertime.

Located a ten minute drive from the small town of Scottsville, which has a few good small eateries, public library, river walk, and a decently stocked Food Lion and Ace Hardware. The James River offers a place to kayak, tube, swim, or float, either on your own or with a tour group.

About half an hour from Charlottesville proper, slightly closer to Michie Tavern, Monticello, Monticello and Highland trails. Close to several excellent wineries and breweries. Charlottesville is a mid-sized college town with great bookstores, coffee shops, and a solid restaurant scene. It makes a good base if you're looking to explore the Blue Ridge, Wintergreeen, or Shenandoah areas more generally. We're about 45 minutes from the south entrances of the parks near Afton.

If you need a big-city fix we're about an hour and a half from Richmond, two and a half from Washington, D.C.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

We do have close-by neighbors, so if you need acres and acres of privacy, this may not be for you. They're mostly inoffensive, but there can be yard parties and music in the summers especially.

The house is totally open-plan except for Mike's office, which will likely be shut during your stay. It's spacious enough for two, but might feel crowded with a family. It is not child-proofed in any way. Three steps up to the porch, if mobility is an issue. Slate patio is wonky from tree roots in places.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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