Flexible, reliable animal-lover ready for short-term sitting positions

About this sitter

Hello home-owners! My name is Brian and I am a 38 year old animal lover with a B.A. in History of Art & Architecture and English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.

I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my 6 month old cat Sybil. I'm the general manager of a bar/restaurant here in town. When I'm not working I'm playing music with my folk-band, Her Ladyship.

I am a non-smoker with a tenacious desire for travel and an equally tenacious liking for literature, libraries, films, and the arts.

I am a quiet person, often preferring to keep to myself, my books and writings. I play the guitar and sing--mostly soft, acoustic, folk-like music.

I am definitely a cat lover. I grew up around cats & kittens (indoor and outdoor both). Throughout my childhood my family kept an average of 4 cats around the house at a time so I feel quite akin to them in general. (Somewhat embarrassingly, I have a small, line-drawing tattoo on my arm that confesses to my affinity for the animal).

I also grew up around two large and energetic Dalmatian dogs (Farley and Darby) and a female Golden Retriever (Teddy). They also were great friends over the years who definitely kept me physically active all the while.

Why they want to house sit

I am open to most any short-term house sitting opportunities.

Having grown up in a military family, I moved from town to town throughout my childhood and as a result I have been given a strong inclination to travel. And what could be better that being able to do so in the company of animals?!

Their experience

I have lots of experience taking care of homes and animals...

I've cared for dogs and cats most routinely. However I was also responsible for the care of 5 chickens during a 3 month house-sitting position in southern France (along with a gentleman of a cat named Francis). During this stay I mowed the lawn of the estate, kept care of the house-plants, cleaned the chicken coop on the weekly basis, and kept in regular contact with the home-owners.

A few autumns back, I spent 3 months in central Idaho keeping care of a lovely home and two cats (Tiny and Peanut) while the home-owners were off cycling around Eastern Europe . There was no internet connection in the home (which was entirely suitable to me) but there was a wonderful library in town in which I was fortunate enough to be able to indulge so I had plenty of books to keep me company during the autumn and winter.

Over the autumn of 2011 I spent another 2.5 months house-sitting a beautiful home in Southern France. During this post, I cared for 4 large and loving dogs and 10 cats (of every variety!). There was a degree of responsibility in dealing with this many animals, but they were all great friends to me. Regardless, I still had plenty of time to myself to read and write, and to explore the surrounding French countryside--which is spectacular if I might say. The family for which I house-sat was great. They're very understanding and generous in their want to make me comfortable during my stay and, as a result, we developed a nice rapport over our time working together.

Directly from France I made my way to Southwestern England, where I spent 2.5 winter months keeping watch of a cozy home and one sweet elderly cat. Situated in a small town, I was given the pleasure of getting to know the ins and outs of the market-town's amenities as well as the surrounding pastoral settings. Again with access to the town library, I was able to read the winter through. And while the home-owner was away, I maintained regular correspondence to keep him informed about house and personal issues pertinent to the situation.

I have three times house-sat here in Pittsburgh for a young couple and tended to their home and their two sweet Pomeranians (also arranged through Mindmyhouse).

I've also been witness to multiple cat-pregnancies and helped rear kittens on the occasions.

I house sat this past summer in New Orleans, LA for a lovely couple and watched over their home and collection of cute cats and dogs.

What can they bring to the assignment

With years of homeowner experience, I can be sympathetic to the anxieties associated with leaving a home while traveling. I promise to care for your property as though it were my own. I am not afraid to work or make minor home repairs or otherwise. I can tend to yards and gardens and I have plenty of experience with tools and fixing basic household problems.

I can offer house-sitting and work-related references to attest to my respectability and reliability. I'm financially responsible. I have have a valid driver's license. I also an avid bicyclist and maintain my own bicycles for transportation purposes.

I'm not particular about location...because my father was in the military and we moved as a family all over the United States, I easily adapt to new living situations (and love doing so in fact).

I studied abroad during University in Tokyo, Japan. A decade ago I walked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail so having to walk a distance to a store for grocery supplies is no problem at all.

I have traveled here and there internationally (Iceland, Ireland, England, Canada, the Bahamas, etc.) and have a great desire to travel more. I am excited to experience for any climate (cold winters included)!

Thanks for your time!