Have you ever dreamed of kicking loose from it all and finding yourself a stunning, quiet retreat somewhere? This is your chance to make that happen! Seeking eco-minded, conscientious non-smoker(s), comfortable in a place without streetlights or neighbors. Come kick back on 60 acres with our two (usually) low-maintenance, friendly dogs, one affectionate cat, expansive views and stunning night skies.
Responsibilities: Care for our furry family and enjoy yourself!
Our two rescued livestock guardian dogs washed out as working dogs and are now playful, easy-going (but independent-minded) pets. Since we have no livestock, they watch over their humans. Our eldest, Brady, is an eight-year-old half Akbash Dog/Great Pyrenees. Macie is a four-year-old Akbash Dog/Anatolian mix. They sleep indoors at night and roam free during the day. They are low energy breeds, relaxing and snoozing during the day close to home punctuated by occasionally running off a coyote. We keep tabs on them with a combination of an electronic fence and Garmin GPS collars, so sitters need to be comfortable using phone apps and managing electronic devices.
Rocky (the cat) came to us from the animal shelter's barn cat program. He turned out to be anything but a feral barn cat. He's more a furry shadow who will likely follow you around like a puppy while trying to convince you to rub his head and fix him a snack :-)
We'll need you to be here with them most of the time so they can keep their normal schedules (active outside in the morning and evenings, mostly sleeping midday). If you need to go out on your own occasionally, it's ok to leave them home midday for up to six hours or so. They are all pretty low maintenance but everyone needs to be fed in the mornings and early evening and you'll need to make sure their water bowls are full.
Aside from that, you may have some plants to water, wild birds to keep fed, and no-touch mouse traps to empty (keeps the car wiring from being chewed) but that's about it. Plenty of time for hiking (and lots of space to do that in) and for just having a chance to take the time to just BE.
Our home is off-grid and solar-powered. What that means is that we are out by ourselves, three miles from pavement, without a landline, utility electric, city water or sewers. Our home runs on regular, 120v, power, but we generate it ourselves with our own solar electric system. The house is made of adobe brick and is primarily heated by sunlight, thanks to its passive solar design. If needed, we also have supplemental wood stoves. We live in the high desert and have no well; all of our household and irrigation water comes from the sky and is captured in our rain catchment system. This means we are thoughtful and frugal with our water use (think Navy showers). We also reuse most of our water with a grey water system. Everything except the toilet is routed to a pumice stone wick in our orchard which absorbs the moisture to keep the tree roots watered.
While all that may sound rustic, it's really not. Our systems are largely self-sufficient, requiring some monitoring but very rarely any maintenance. We have great internet, decent cell coverage, a nice little library in our loft, and most of the appliances and amenities you'd expect (except a television, which we ditched 25 years ago).
Our partially covered patio is where we spend most our time. There you'll find a pizza oven, a gas grill and a summer kitchen with an awesome 1930's/40's era Chambers stove. We also have a solar oven that lets you cook with nothing but sunlight, if you'd like to try your hand at something different -- how cool is that? There's also a very comfortable futon, if you feel the urge to sleep under the stars. Even in the dead of winter, we often have a warm, sunny lunch on the south patio. You never have to be stuck indoors if you don't want to be.
What makes our home truly special is its peace, solitude, incredible views and breathtaking skies. For a sense of how mind-bogglingly beautiful it can be out here, check out these panorama shots of just one winter sunrise: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zfcADzPu8m45zTiFA. Honestly, if being remote and immersed in your environment is your thing (like it is ours), this is the gig for you. The only drawback to where we live is that we're three rough dirt road miles from pavement, which means that frequent in/out trips are impractical. But we do have a vehicle available for use to minimize wear and tear on your own car.
We're conveniently locate about 45 minutes south of Santa Fe, with its fabulous restaurants, arts and culture, and about an hour north of Albuquerque, off the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway. We're located just outside of the fun and funky town of Madrid, NM, with its vibrant alternative, artistic community, galleries, shops and restaurants. And Christmas is a very big deal in Madrid, so if you're lucky enough to be here in December, you'll see the town in full holiday regalia. (Links to a few articles on our town are at the end of this description.)
Just a few miles up the road is the town of Los Cerrillos, where you'll find the post office, our local medical clinic, the Cerrillos Hills State Park, the Blackbird Saloon, and Cerrillos Station, which has a little bit of everything, offering a seasonal farmer's market, a few groceries, art, jewelry, yoga, dance, massage and more.
More about our area:
CBS Sunday Morning: "A ghost town's Christmas past"
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-ghost-towns-christmas-past-madrid-new-mexico/
"A Big, Dysfunctional Family in Madrid, New Mexico"
http://talesofatelecommuter.blogspot.com/2009/04/big-dysfunctional-family-in-madrid-new.html
"Not A Ghost Town Anymore"
https://newmexiconomad.com/madrid/?fbclid=IwAR3EuLRXD_PsiPIbs_00hskc9PCclgNz7JwrDVL5UgPPGT3IkLnmLxeTKqQ
We think this place is ideal, but please think carefully about whether you're comfortable being off on your own like this. It takes someone with an independent attitude and the ability to address unexpected situations on their own. Resourceful, resilient, adaptable, conscientious, and kind are the adjectives that describe our perfect sitters.
You'll need to be thoughtful about your water and power use. And you need to be present and aware of your surroundings when you're outdoors. Although it's rare to see, we do have wildlife out here. We certainly have our share of bunnies and jackrabbits, but we've also got spiders, snakes and packrats. And we live in the desert, so virtually every plant is ready and eager to puncture you. So if any of that freaks you out, this is probably not the right sit for you. But if the idea of being that immersed in and connected to your world excites you, please reach out -- we'd love to learn more about your situation and experiences.
We some flexibility with our travel dates, so we can talk about that if you need to. And if you'd like to spend a few extra days exploring the area after your sit, we can make our guest studio available to you.
Couples preferred and, at this point in time, we are seeking exchange sitters and not considering professionals.
Yes
Restrictions: We're open to sitters travelling with pets but need to evaluate each situation individually.
Testimonials
Caring for Braddy, Macie, and Rocky: A Mesa Retreat to Remember
Over Thanksgiving 2024, we had the wonderful opportunity to pet-sit for the first time officially, though we have plenty of experience caring for animals—our own dog and cat, as well as numerous fosters. And how fortunate we were! First, the fur family: two stunning Akbash dogs, Braddy and Macie, and a sweet cat named Rocky. These animals were an absolute delight—well-behaved, full of personality, and so loving. It was a true joy to care for them. The dogs wore electronic GPS collars, which were a bit intimidating at first, but we quickly got the hang of it. Braddy and Macie have a free-spirited, independent nature but still enjoy attention and cuddles. We went on long hikes with them and thoroughly enjoyed their company. Second, the location: simply breathtaking. The house is perched on a mesa, offering endless views of rugged mountains and untouched open land. Every sunrise painted the sky in vivid colors, while the sunsets were nothing short of magical—a feast for the eyes every day. The home itself was cozy, welcoming, and thoughtfully decorated with local art and artifacts, making it feel both unique and homey. Large bay windows let the November sun flood in, keeping the space warm and inviting despite the chilly season. And last but not least, Don, the owner, was incredible. He picked us up and dropped us off at the airport, welcomed us with a delicious home-cooked dinner, and patiently explained everything we needed to know before he and Diane left. Our days flew by, filled with caring for the animals, exploring the property on hikes, and visiting the charming town of Madrid and the beautiful city of Santa Fe. We wholeheartedly recommend this pet-sitting experience—it was an absolute pleasure! Does this reflect the beauty and charm of the experience as you envisioned it?
Nathalie, United States, 22 Dec 2024
Fantastic sit.
This was my favourite sit in America and one of the best locations I have ever done.A stunning desert view and the two dogs are very good and lovely.A really comfortable house and I found this an easy,enjoyable sit with no problems.Totally recommended.
Debbie, United Kingdom, 16 Jul 2023