Experienced house sitter (16 years, since 2007) and experienced homeowner, animal lover, Father of two adult daughters, retired banker, non-smoker, non-drinker, and amateur photographer with great references

About this sitter

Since retiring I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places. As a retired banker I was bonded for the 30 years I spent in the saving and loans and the commercial bank I worked at. I have lived in small towns (Colby, Eureka, Iola) in Kansas all of my life until moving to Wichita in 2006. After retiring, my wife and I divorced and I moved to Wichita to be closer to my younger daughter and grandson. After 11 years in Wichita I have moved to Parkville, MO a suburb of Kansas City. This move was to be closer to my oldest daughter and 2 grand daughters. I have lots of time to travel and I find it very easy to adjust my schedule to fit your house sitting needs. I have owned my own home and am experienced in dealing with problems that may arise when you are gone. I have remodeled the 4 homes I have owned during the past forty years. I have had my own pets (both cats and dogs) and have had sixteen years experience (yes, I retired early) house sitting/pet sitting for others (both cats and dogs, also birds and fish). I am a tidy person (my ex-wife and daughters will tell you I am a better housekeeper than they are). I will keep your home tidy while you are away and aim to keep it as you left it so you can relax when you return. I am a non-smoker and other than an occasional beer, pretty much a non-drinker. I do most of my exploring during the day and enjoying relaxing at your place with your pet during the mornings and evenings.

Why they want to house sit

I enjoy the housesitting experience, both meeting homeowners and connecting with their pets. I find it much easier to explore a location while housesitting rather than living out of a hotel. Of course, the cost is much better also. Traveling is my main reason to house sit, but living in different locations has also been very interesting. I have house/pet sit for the period of a week or as long as three months (depends on the location and time of year). Although I traveled before retiring, it was always rushed and the purpose was to hit the main areas most tourists go. House sitting allows me the time to relax at your home, pay attention to your pet and find many interesting things to see and do at your location.

Their experience

I started house sitting in 2007 and have house sit for more than thirty five homeowners. Locations include Santa Fe, NM (2 cats, 2008), Tahlequah, OK (2 cats, 2 dogs, 2008), Cincinnati, OH (1 dog, 2009),  Longmont, CO (no pets, 2009), San Antonio, TX (2 cats, 2009), Albuquerque, NM (2 cats, 2007, 2009, 2012 ), Sedona, AZ (2 dogs, 2010 & 2012), Cabin John, MD (suburb of Washington, DC, 3 cats, 2010) Irvine, CA (no pets, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015), Chicago, IL (no pets, 2011), Montpelier, VT (3 cats, 2012), Dana Point, CA (2 dogs, 2014), Houston, TX (no pets, 2014), Salt Lake City, UT (no pets, 2014), Ojai, CA (1 cat, 2015), Jacksonville, FL (2 cats, 2016), Santa Cruz, CA (1 dog, 2016). Eugene, OR (2 cats, 2016), St Augustine, FL (1 dog, 2017), Colorado Springs, CO (2 cats, 2017), Lyons, CO (1 dog, 1 cat, 2017), San Francisco, CA (1 cat, 2018), Laguna Niguel, CA (1 cat, 2018) Tucson, AZ (1 dog, 1 cat, 2018 and 2019), Silverthorne, CO (2 dogs, 2019), Nashville, TN (1 dog, 2019), Pleasant Grove, UT (1 dog, 2021), Lacey, WA (1 dog, 1 cat, 2021), Washington DC (2 cats), 2021, Dresher, PA (1 cat, 1 Parrot) 2022, Albuquerque, NM (1 dog, 2022), Shakopee, MN (2 cats, 2022), Tucson, AZ (2 dogs, 1 cat, 2022), Encinitas, CA (2 cats, 2023), San Clemente, CA (1 dog, 1 cat, 2023), Wilmington, NC (1 cat and 1 parrot, 2024), Raleigh, NC 1 dog, 2024, Boulder, CO (1 cat, 2024), Taos, NM (2 cats, 2024), Fort Collins, CO
(2 cats, 2024).
Lori, a retired teacher in Albuquerque (2 cats), was my first house sit in 2007, asked me back in 2009 and 2012. All were great trips as I love the southwest. In 2011, I house sit for Ken and Adair for 10 weeks at their home in Irvine, CA. Later that summer, I house sit for them at their second home in Chicago. California was such a great place to spend in spring, I house sit again in April & May 2012. I returned in the spring (3 mos) of 2013 and again in 2015 (2 mos). I house sit for Jackie and Robin in Tucson, AZ in 2018 & 2019. Their friends recommended me for an additional house sit in Tucson in 2022 (Werner & Maryse). Sybil (house sit in Dreasher, PA moved to Wilmington, NC and asked me to house/pet sit again for her cat and parrot.
My experience with pets has taught me to first let the pet get to know me and get comfortable with me, then they will accept me as your temporary replacement.  I have kept healthy plants for the past 40 years so I should be able to care for your plants in the short term. As a former pet owner and home owner I know how to address problems with your pet or home should they arise. I am a quiet person by nature and enjoy giving your pets the attention they require. I walk 3 miles a day so if your dog(s) likes to walk, they will have plenty of opportunity.
I have 2 adult daughters, a grandson (now 17), and 2 granddaughters (12 and 14 yrs). I have an excellent relationship with all. My daughters have trusted me to care for my grandchildren on my own since they were 2-3 months old. Both daughters have pets, one has 3 dogs (2 Bullys, 1 French Bulldog) and the other 1 cat and 2 dogs (Doberman and French Bulldog). I have also pet sit for them. Besides returning to Irvine, CA and Albuquerque in 2012, I also returned to Sedona, AZ to house sit/pet sit for Jenny and her two dogs, Lady & Pepper. I enjoyed my house sit in Tucson, AZ in 2018 and returned to house sit again in Nov-Dec 2019. All have been happy with my services and I have enjoyed returning to their locations.

What can they bring to the assignment

I am a healthy and physically fit person with a positive, easy going personality. I enjoy walking, hiking, and photography. I am patient and kind.  I respect other people's homes, pets and possessions. My belief is when I leave, everything should be as the homeowner has left it. I am excellent at following instructions from the homeowner. My goal is to have you give me an excellent reference. That reference gets me to the next location.