Nomadic Family: Passion for Animals, Creativity, Giving Back, Travel

About this sitter

My name is Gregg, and I'm thrilled to share a bit about myself and my family with you. We are a close-knit Canadian family with a shared passion for wellness, travel, and giving back to the world.

In my professional life, I am a part-owner of a wellness company. One of my primary roles within the company is creating films that inspire wellness and mental health. It's an exciting field that allows me to blend my creativity with our mission of promoting health and well-being. I love exploring, especially scuba diving, hiking, and navigating through new places.

Outside of work, our family is a vibrant mix of interests and passions. My wife, Janelle, is a talented writer and podcaster who loves to create through pottery and crafting of all sorts. She brings her creative spark to our family dynamic. She enjoys bike riding, hiking, paddle boarding, and being amongst the forest.

Our son, Mikkel, is a film editor who works online, which aligns perfectly with my own work and interests. He's a true artist when it comes to crafting visual stories. He loves to meet people, write poetry, rock climb, hike, and be with dogs.

Our daughter, Kelaiah, recently graduated from grade 12 and is diligently working towards her dream of becoming a veterinarian and author. She spent a month in Costa Rica for pre-college vet school, which was an incredible experience for her. She's also had the opportunity to shadow vets in various clinics in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Canada. Her passion and care for animals and art are astounding. She is extremely outgoing and loves art. While living in Nicaragua, she had the opportunity to teach art classes to children and adults.

The youngest member of our family, Elli, has a unique gift – she's an animal whisperer. She has an extraordinary connection with animals and dreams of one day having a farm with as many furry friends as possible. Her love for animals is truly heartwarming. She even has a special way with chickens; she used to rock a silkie chicken to sleep while she read to it. Elli loves to play piano and needle felt. She is happiest when she's with dogs, horseback riding, or near the ocean.

Our eldest daughter has ventured out on her own and owns a bakery in Nicaragua, where she lives with her partner. It's wonderful to see her pursuing her dreams and building a life in a new place.

As a family, we embarked on a nomadic journey in 2018, which has taken us to various countries across Europe, Asia, and Mexico. Our purpose in traveling was to explore different cultures, immerse ourselves in new ways of living, and seek out communities where we could volunteer and make a positive impact.

A few things that unites us all is our love for meeting new people, nature, creating in multiple forms of art, and animals. During our travels, we've had the incredible opportunity to connect with amazing creatures, meet inspiring individuals, and appreciate the beauty of the world around us. We've rescued and cared for turtles in Bali, fostered a bunny in Cabo, and volunteered at cat and dog shelters and veterinary clinics in Guadalajara, Cabo, Merida, Canada, and Nicaragua. We also spent a year volunteering at a horse ranch while fostering a dog in Nicaragua. While we lived in Scotland last fall, we had the opportunity to be a foster family for the Freedom Project, an organization that offers dog fostering for families fleeing domestic violence. Three of us are certified scuba divers, and whether it’s chilling in the sun, snorkeling, or scuba diving, we love being near the ocean. On land or in the water, we are always seeking adventure.

Our passion lies in giving back in any way we can. We've volunteered at various orphanages across Asia and Mexico, and we've had the privilege of joining nuns in serving food to the homeless in various cities throughout Europe. Giving back to communities and the environment is a core value for us.

In summary, our family is a blend of creativity, compassion, and a deep love for the world we live in. We're excited to continue our journey, learn from others, and make a positive impact wherever we go. Thank you for getting to know us a little better!

Why they want to house sit

During our travels, we've had the pleasure of encountering families who engage in house and pet sitting, a concept that has intrigued us for quite some time. It's a lifestyle we've always wanted to explore, so the past 6 months we’re had the privilege to dive into it. Our motivation for becoming pet sitters stems from a deep desire to connect with new people and shower their beloved animals with affection while they're away.

Our primary goal is to enrich our experiences by immersing ourselves in different locales, gaining insights into places we might otherwise overlook. We relish the opportunity to meet a variety of charming animals, each with their unique personalities and needs.

Why do we believe we'd excel as pet sitters? First and foremost, our passion and love for all animals. We enjoy staying active and taking dogs on refreshing walks ensures that your furry companions receive the exercise and attention they deserve. Love knows no bounds in our hearts, and we genuinely cherish spending time with animals, regardless of their size or breed.

In addition to our love for pets, we pride ourselves on being exceptionally clean and organized. Rest assured, we'll always leave your home in the same impeccable condition as we found it, if not better. Moreover, our outgoing, caring, and hardworking nature ensures that we'll not only meet your expectations but exceed them.

In summary, we view pet sitting as an opportunity to combine our love for animals, our passion for exploring new places, and our commitment to delivering top-notch care. We eagerly anticipate the chance to provide exceptional care for your pets and maintain the tranquility of your home while you're away. We have a 5 star rating on Airbnb, so you can see that we truly do care for the homes we live in.

Their experience

Since 2018, we've embraced a nomadic lifestyle, calling a variety of Airbnbs our home and consistently maintaining a 5-star rating throughout all our stays. Recently, we've expanded our experience to house and pet sitting in the UK through TrustedHousesitters, where we've earned a 5-star rating with all four of our house and pet sits. We've not only cared for pets but have also ensured that the homes were left in even better condition than when we arrived.

We're also experienced with pool care, including keeping water levels balanced. Before we began our travels, we were deeply involved in buying and renovating homes, which gave us a wealth of experience in home repairs, decor, and overall property care. Our extensive background in home maintenance, combined with our dedication to keeping spaces in top condition, makes us well-suited for house sitting.

What can they bring to the assignment

We bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to excellence to any house-sitting assignment. We take pride in not only caring for pets but also in maintaining and improving the homes we stay in.

Additionally, our background in buying, renovating, and maintaining homes means we're well-versed in home repairs, decor, and overall property care. We’re also familiar with pool maintenance, ensuring that all aspects of the home are kept in top condition. Our dedication to keeping spaces pristine and our experience in various aspects of home care make us exceptionally well-suited for any house-sitting assignment.