Panoramic views, super friendly & cuddly Yorkie, and 2 sweet kitties. Also seeking regular local sitter for future possibilities

About this assignment

We're looking for a responsible person or couple who loves dogs and cats and has experience caring for them. Common sense about caring for our home is important too. Someone wishing to work remotely or just hang out and relax would be ideal, as the dog can't be left alone more than 4-5 hours (or take her along in your car, in cooler weather). Honesty and integrity is important to us, and not smoking on the property.

In addition to our specific listings, we're also looking for people locally who can do shorter housesits as they come up. We'd be interested in trading local housesitting duties if that worked out.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Brigid the Yorkie needs to be let out several times a day, with at least one of those being a walk. She's obsessed with her ball so should also get a game of fetch at least once a day - either indoors, in the yard, or at the dog park if you're so inclined. She does OK at home alone for 4 hours or less, but not much more. She mostly sits in her little window seat. She's also happy 'guarding' your car, so if temperatures are cooler you can bring her along and stay away longer.

The 2 kitties - Sabrina & Loki - are very low maintenance -- just litter-scooping, fresh water, and food. They free-feed on kibble, and get wet food as a daily treat. As easy as they are, they do appreciate the chance to snuggle and play with you. Loki needs - and fortunately enjoys - occasional brushing of his long angora-type fur to comb out dredlocks that try to form.

Sabrina and Brigid will likely want to sleep with you.

We have a few indoor plants that would need watering only if we're gone more than a week. In summer we have veggies and flowers which are mostly on sprinkler systems, but there may be a few that require hand-watering or turning on a movable hose sprinkler.

Our preference would be that sitters not bring their own pets. That said, we're open to a sitter bringing a small dog (up to 20 lbs) that gets along well with cats and other dogs.

What are the good features of the property and location

We live in a spacious, light-filled, comfy mid-century home high on a hill with spectacular views of the Cascades, Coast Range, and city. Both the front porch and back view deck have sitting areas. Sunsets are amazing from up here! This is a very quiet street, yet close to shopping and restaurants, a 10-minute drive downtown and about an hour from coast and mountain passes.

The main floor has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms; a living room with an entire wall of books, elliptical trainer, and 72” TV; a good-sized kitchen with dining nook and every type of coffee-making equipment known to humanity; laundry room; and a family/party room with views of our garden, the city, and two of the Three Sisters mountains.

Since our home is built on a hill, the main floor with front door is actually the 2nd floor of the home. The lower level (first floor) has a private patio and entrance into a cheery self-contained living space with queen bed, sofa, fridge, desk/table, and private bathroom.

You’ll have the choice to stay in either this lower-level area, or the main floor guest room which doubles as one of our home offices. The lower level is dedicated entirely to guests and housesitters so is likely more comfortable. Whichever room you choose to sleep in, of course you'll have full access to the entire house and all its amenities during your sit. (Note: If you come early while we're still here, we do ask that you sleep in the lower level until we're gone.)

Outside: Our yard is large and fully fenced, landscaped with flower and veggie garden areas. We're in the process of finishing out our permaculture landscape, adding more fruit trees, berries, and native plants. If you're here in summer/fall, you're welcome to eat whatever you can harvest.

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

We have 2 trips in February, with 2 days in between. If someone is able to sit for both those trips, you are welcome to stay in the self-contained studio apartment downstairs for the whole time, including the 2 days we'll be briefly back in town. It has its own private entrance. You can also stay in the studio if you need to arrive in town a few days early or leave a few days late. All we ask is for our privacy upstairs if you're staying in the studio while we're in town. Later when we're gone, of course you'll have the entire house to yourself.

Other things:

- You should either be a non-smoker, or able to refrain from smoking anywhere on the property.

- We're sensitive to scented products, so we ask that you not spray any scented products other than a few natural products we already have here (which we know we can handle). We also ask that you use unscented laundry products (you can use ours).

- If you're going to need to be away for longer than 4-5 hours (and are not able to take the dog with you) then this would not be a good fit. The cats can of course be left alone longer.

Can I bring my own pets?

Yes
Restrictions: Our preference would be that sitters not bring their own pets. That said, in a pinch we're open to a small cat-friendly dog, up to 15-20 pounds. Anything much larger than that would be intimidating for the kitties.

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