contents
4
FROM THE EDITORS
20
Discover what's been happening as our editors find themselves back in
Our readers tell us how they've
the UK for a short trip before
reinvented life, not only once but
becoming residents of France.
6
MY GLOBAL REMOTE WORK LIFESTYLE Becky Wong
explains how she's
WHAT IT MEANS TO REINVENT YOUR LIFE
often multiple times since they started house sitting and traveling.
26
YOUR PETS IN RVS OR MOTORHOMES
combined a lifestyle as a remote
Barbara Woods
worker, freelancer and house sitter
into what it's really like from the
to create an independent travel
pets perspective travelling in an RV.
lifestyle.
14
HOW TO COPE WHEN A PET PASSES Nicole Gustas
shares her insights
explores how to deal
30
KNOW YOUR BREEDS - RIDGEBACKS Key information and advice for if you
with feelings of grief and how to
accept a house sit with this strong-
respond when a homeowners tells
willed, sturdy breed.
you a precious pet has passed.
36
IN THE SPOTLIGHT TEXAS, USA As house sitting opens up again more widely in the USA we focus on what you can experience in the Lone Star State.
42
TRAVEL INSPIRATION EPIC ROAD TRIPS Ideas for road trips with global travellers and house sitters, Nicky and Ian or
46
Above Us Only Skies
NEW HOUSE SITTING TRAVEL PODCAST Sam & Veren
introduce their latest
project, a weekly podcast dedicated to house sitting travel.
from the editors Welcome to the spring 2021 issue of House Sitting Magazine.
Re-inventing life... again! Over the past months Vanessa and I have enjoyed living in a smaller world than we’ve been used to over the past decade. We’ve now been in France for six months, and have spent time travelling in our campervan, as well as fitting in some great house sits. It’s been quite unusual for us to be settled in one area for so long, but we’ve managed to fit in a variety of experiences when Covid restrictions have allowed. On our most recent house sit we looked after two llamas, a first for us, and then spent a few days camping by a beautiful secluded lake in the hills. At the time France had a 6pm curfew, so by the end of the day everybody else had gone home, and we had the peaceful landscape all to ourselves. As always, we’ve been mulling over our lifestyle options, and with current travel restrictions not looking like they’ll be coming to an end any time soon, we’ve made some fairly big decisions. With the UK finally leaving the European Union on 31st December 2020, travelling and house sitting for longer periods in Europe is not as easy or practical for UK citizens as before. So Vanessa dived in to researching other options, and after much consideration we decided to apply for French residency. This was possible under the UK Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, because we were living in France on the day the UK left Europe. After several months of back-and-forth paperwork we finally received our approval. We’re going to be official residents of France.
Over the same period of time we’d been casually looking at properties in the area in which we are house sitting, and found a lovely piece of land in the Burgundy region with a couple of old barns, ideal for a conversion project. We made an offer, and it was accepted. We wrote into the contract that we could only complete the purchase if we were approved for residency. So now we’re going to be French land owners too. Our campervan, built in the UK with plans for longer term European travel, is now almost surplus to requirements. Also, we’re going to need the funds for developing our property, so we decided to sell. This was going to require a return trip to England, which is where we are briefly as I write this.
On entering England via ferry from France we were required by current UK law to selfquarantine for 10 days, which we did in the camper at a friend’s farm on the North Yorkshire Moors. It was a little chilly at times, but the van’s heating system performed admirably. Although we’d had one Covid test in France in order to depart, we had to have two further tests in the UK on Day 2 and Day 8 of our self-isolation. Since completing our isolation, we’ve been on a whistle-stop tour of the UK, visiting friends and family, and trying to co-ordinate viewings of the camper with potential purchasers. Before selling the camper we needed to buy a car so we wouldn’t end up stranded if we found a buyer, and an old friend in Darlington had just what we needed... a 2010 Volvo V50 diesel estate with a towbar. Travelling in convoy with our two vehicles we headed south to visit Vanessa’s mum, where we quickly found a keen buyer for the camper. I think we could have sold the van three or four times over, as we got a lot of interest. It’s all been very frantic, with lots to achieve in a short period of time. We’ve been fortunate so far in that everything has fallen into place without too many problems. All we have to achieve now is to get another negative Covid test result, and we can hop on the ferry to return to our new home base. Once again our house sitting lifestyle has provided the flexibility to be able to make some fairly big decisions in light of changing conditions in a changing world.
We still plan to do plenty of house sitting in the future, and have already secured several French new and repeat sits, but we’re also excited to have a home base for a while. We’re looking forward, perhaps with a little trepidation, at the challenges ahead this new project will present. In this issue of House Sitting Magazine we have a collaborative article featuring stories from other house sitters who have also decided to make some significant changes to the way they are dealing with current challenges. Keep reading to see how others are “reinventing their lifestyles.” We hope you’re still managing to enjoy life and are coping with whatever lifestyle challenges you’re currently facing. IAN USHER & VANESSA ANDERSON CO-EDITORS
MY GLOBAL REMOTE WORK & HOUSE SIT ADVENTURES by Becky Wong Working remotely while travelling the world Over the last 4 years, I've been working remotely while travelling the world. I originally left the hustle and bustle of London to travel for one year, with a plan to return to live in the UK countryside. But when I came across the world of remote working I quickly found myself crafting a life as a digital nomad alongside house sitting. I've since completed house sits looking after pets around the UK, in Malta, Vietnam, Bulgaria and Hong Kong. Pets have included dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, and even sheep, ducks and chickens! I always describe myself as “accidentally” becoming a digital nomad, a freelancer, and a house sitter. I never planned to become any of these things but when I discovered these were options for me, I began planning and working towards making all of these roles a reality. I did my research and told everyone I could that I was looking for remote freelance work and house sit opportunities. People I'd worked with in the past connected me with business owners looking for my freelance services. Friends and family asked if I could sit for them while they went on holiday. From there I registered with online platforms and kept on building my networks to learn more and make sure anyone who wanted to work with me or needed my services could find me.
Round the world in 20 house sits I travel and house sit with my partner,
In the UK we’ve been welcomed into the
Rod. Every time we commit to a new
fold by a big friendly Spinone in
house sit, we know we will need to make
Shropshire and juggled video calls
extra room in our hearts for the pets we
around two energetic and sometimes
will be caring for. These pets become our
unruly Labrador brothers in Berkshire.
charges during any house sit and we fall in love with each of them wholeheartedly
We also look after cats.
every time. Growing up, I was not a big fan of cats All pets have their own characters and
but over the years I have grown to love
habits and I love getting to know every
and adore our feline friends!
one of them. We have “protected” a pug in Vietnam from thunder and lightning,
Even the ones who scratch or nip on our
and accompanied a pair of little
arms to wake us or surprise me by
Yorkshire Terriers while hiking in Hong
leaping onto my chest at 5am asking to
Kong.
be fed.
It's a juggling act!
Going with the flow
It's a challenge to juggle house sitting
I have found myself taking unexpected
responsibilities with remote work during
calls with energetic, noisy Labradors
sits. These are some things to consider
running around me in the kitchen. We
when applying for sits:
have had sits where we had to let the puppy outside every 2 hours.
· Will you be available to look after more than one dog? · Will your work enable enough breaks to take a big dog for 2 to 3 long walks each day? · Are you prepared to follow their usual routines each day around your work? Find out as much as you can about what is expected of you during the sit to make sure you can do everything you are committing yourself to, both in the house sit and in your work! We have never had any major issues. It's simply good to manage everyone’s expectations and prepare yourself for what you are committing to. But, you
There were others where we've had to regularly break-up territorial fights between two dogs sharing a space together for the first time. For some house-sits we've deliberately made sure we had fewer work commitments so as to simply enjoy the area we were in. At other house sits it feels like we're juggling multiple different roles at the same time, but still it is worth every second. For me, I love dog sits that require us to take the dogs out a few times a day for long walks. It means I have to schedule my work around our walks, but it also means both we and the pets get outside
can't plan ahead for all surprises! Some-
a few times every day for exercise, fresh
times you simply have to roll with the
air and a break!
punches.
TOP TIPS FOR WORKING REMOTELY while house sitting Be prepared, stay flexible
As with everything, there will always be some surprises so be prepared to adapt
Before confirming a sit, ask if there are any set routines the pets have or any
your plans and schedules as is, or becomes necessary!
appointments you'll be expected to make on their behalf. You can then plan your work and house sit duties with the confidence everything will happen without a conflict of time. Knowing full details of regular routines or planned appointments will help you to schedule work calls so they do not clash with your house sitting responsibilities. I'm lucky that I travel with my partner, so we house sit together as a pair. Even though we do all the walks, routines and appointments together (because it's more fun that way), if one of us cannot move a work commitment or falls ill, we know the other can still complete any duties for that day.
Talk about the internet Let the homeowners know that you will be working remotely. Ask them upfront about their internet connection. As mentioned before, the most important thing for working remotely is having access to a good, reliable internet connection wherever you are. If you'll be organising many video calls with clients, you will want to know you have a quiet spot to take these from. Homeowners will be more than happy to know you will be at home all day with their pets while they are away.
Most homes have great internet
Make time to explore
available, but it's always worth checking, especially in rural areas which are where we love to house sit.
One reason we house sit is to visit new places and explore new areas. Most of the time you can take dogs with you to
Be upfront and honest
explore.
Likewise, being upfront and honest with
Cats are pretty independent. As long as
your employers or clients is useful too.
you feed them at their usual meal times, you are free to go out. Of course, these
I always let my clients know where I am
are all generalisations. No two pets or
working from in casual conversation. My
house sits are ever the same!
freelance clients all know I am nomadic so often before asking me “How are you?” they will already have asked me “Where are you?”. It has removed any stress of needing to explain when the dogs suddenly bark loudly. It has also helped me to have incredibly understanding clients when I have had to excuse myself from a video call to stop a puppy from chewing up the homeowner’s cookbooks.
Do always ask the homeowners for full clarity about their pets’ needs. Find out if they can be left home alone for a certain amount of time and always respect this. We have regularly looked after rescued pets with anxiety who need company throughout most of the days. When doing a longer house sit with pets who usually need someone to be at home most of the time, it is worth asking if there is anyone locally who can take the pets for a day or two for a break. The priority will always be to look after the pets and their homes. Even so, most homeowners understand that you are travelling and will want to see some of the local sights during your sit and will tell you about neighbours who can take the pets for a couple of days.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO WORK & TRAVEL What better way to travel than spending your time with pets! Even better if you can take your work with you. Being able to work remotely has hugely
GUEST POST
BECKY WONG
helped me. I can work when and where I choose. I can visit family members around the world for months at a time without worrying about how much annual leave I have left or being required to go back to
Becky Wong is a digital nomad, freelancer and house sitter who regularly shares her travel stories and remote work tips at:
“the office” by a set time. It has allowed me to slowly travel and see the world like a local. When we are house sitting it feels like a “workcation” or a retreat from the world.
Project Anywhere She wears many hats as a freelancer, working
I have done some of my best work from a
remotely for purpose-led
countryside home with a roaring fire, in
businesses. Find out more
the middle of nowhere surrounded by green fields in the company of pets. Pets are the best type of work-fromhome “co-workers”. House sitting while working remotely is something I think everyone should try. I am always happy to grab a cuppa with anyone (virtual or in-person) to chat about remote work and house sitting.
about her work at:
www.beckywong.co.uk
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HOW TO COPE & RESPOND WHEN A PET YOU'VE CARED FOR PASSES AWAY by Nicole Gustas If you’ve been house sitting for a while, there’s a good chance that one of the pets you’ve looked after has passed away. As sitters who specialize in senior pets with health issues, my partner and I have gotten the sad news several times over the years. When you learn about the death of a pet you’ve looked after, it can be hard to figure out how to respond. You may question if you’re overreacting, or underreacting. It can also be difficult to know the right thing to say to the homeowner, and whether your response is too much or not enough. I talked to two therapists, both of whom are also pet owners, to get their advice on how to help a homeowner and how to work through our own feelings after the loss of a furry friend.
“Make sure that you are OK, and be gentle and loving with yourself if you feel tired or sad,” Santiman says. Even if you don’t have strong feelings about the pet, it may bring more
IF YOU'RE GRIEVING, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Santiman had a strong message: there is no one correct way to mourn. She pointed out
consciousness about the cycles of life, “which is one of the life lessons pets give us,” she says.
your homeowner will likely be struggling too
that in Western culture in particular, “we have some strange and way too specific ideas
When homeowners reach out to us to let us
about mourning. And if we deviate from those
know a pet has passed away, we may
specific things, we feel like we’re not doing it
agonize over what the “right” thing to do is.
right. But grief isn’t linear.”
Should we send a quick text? Is a sympathy card too much?
You may feel fine, only to be caught out by a moment of intense sadness weeks or even
“A card is never too much,” emphasized
more after hearing the news.
Santiman. Depending on the homeowner’s community, they may not have a lot of other
Santiman went on to give some specific
people who understand their grief. And
advice as to how to work through your grief
Santiman notes that many pet owners “feel
about the loss of a pet you sat for and may
almost embarrassed of how big the feelings
have become close to.
are.” But it makes sense that they do, she says. “It’s this adorable being who’s been under
“Remember, anything you feel is valid. Be really
your care. It can feel even more intense than
mindful, present and gentle with what that is,”
the grandpa that you only see over the
she said.
holidays.”
If you can, talk to someone out loud about your loss and about sweet memories you have of the pet. “A therapist is a great place for that,” she says, but it also might be a friend. “If I’m feeling any grief, I try to think about ways to honor them,” says Santiman. You might light a candle to them, or just sit and think about your memories of that pet and how you felt about them. “A donation to an animal shelter or charity would be very sweet as well.”
"When you go home and the pet is no longer there, the house feels emptier than it has ever been,” Prud’homme says. She’s familiar with the feeling because she’s been through it herself. “It is a feeling of loneliness and emptiness. There was a warm life here and now it’s gone.” And some people can feel very isolated because the people around them may not be able to empathize, she told me. If they’ve had to put their pet to sleep, it can compound their feelings of grief, "You have the power to make a decision as to whether to end their life before their natural death,” Prud'homme explained. And that decision can be made harder if their pet has been ill and then has even one good day. “You think, ‘How could I possibly take this life away?’” continues Prud'homme, “You feel guilty, and you question your decision.” And those feelings can last long after the pet is gone. Both Santiman and Prud’homme say that hearing from someone who also cared for their pet can help them in these moments of grief.
how to console your homeowner - a 5 step action plan It can be hard to know exactly what to say to the homeowner that has just given you the news. If you’re struggling, Prud’homme has a concrete 5-step plan to help you through the process. “The most important thing to do for somebody who has suffered a loss, even if no one else can understand why that’s a loss, is to acknowledge what their feelings are,” she says. Of course, you aren’t a mind-reader and can’t presume what their exact feelings are. And as Prud’homme has mentioned previously, the pet owner may have conflicting feelings. But Prud’homme does have advice for how to respond in a way that will provide helpful empathy. Take a read of Prud'homme's 5 step plan on the next page, to see how you can sensitively acknowledge, empathise and share a memory or totem depending on your relationship with the owner.
5 STEP PLAN
HOW TO RESPOND WHEN A PET YOU'VE CARED FOR PASSES
Send a physical card to the homeowner if you are able. If not, text messaging can be a good fallback. Your message should include: Acknowledge that you heard the news
Express your empathy for the situation
Share something personal and unique that shows you empathize, you saw their pet and you knew their pet. This is the most important part of your message and should be a personal recollection that only someone who had known the pet would know. “You could mention their favorite toy, or a quirky daily habit".
If you feel that the homeowners are the right people for this, include a “totem” - something personal, a physical object connected to the pet. It can be an item the pet really liked to play with, or a piece of writing like a haiku about the pet that you frame for them, or a picture of the pet you give them.
If you want, and ONLY if you feel comfortable with it, indicate to the owner that you’d like to hear from them if they want to talk. Not everyone will want to talk about their loss, so don’t be hurt if they say no. But many will be grateful that you’ve left the door open for them, because it will give them the chance to talk to someone suffering a similar loss.
"Even though we are not a permanent part of a pet’s life, it can still be hard to learn that we’ll never get to see our furry friend again. And it is absolutely OK to feel a sense of loss when that little life is gone. When you grieve for that pet, it is a way of remembering them and acknowledging that they mattered." -- Nicole Gustas https://lightheartassociates.com/julia-prudhomme-ma-lmfta/
House Sitting Magazine
CONTRIBUTOR
NICOLE GUSTAS When she was four, Nicole ran away from home to see the world. She only traveled half a block, but she's gone much further since. Together with her partner Mike, they have been house sitting around the world for three years. You can see their travels on Cheapskate Nomad or on Mike’s Instagram. Photo Credits: Jamie Shelman Bec & Kate Tyler Humphries
WHAT IT MEANS TO REINVENT YOUR LIFE The house sitting community often seems to attract people who've made radical changes to the way that they live, or to try alternative ways to travel, whether that be for a short period or as a complete lifestyle transition. We've found that once continual change has been accepted, it's easier to switch course, try out new experiences, or even completely reinvent your life. We recently asked this question in our Facebook community - "How have you "redesigned" your life over the past decade? Have you gone to live in another country, changed your citizenship, made a career change, retired, semi-retired or made a bold change to your lifestyle?" Here's what we discovered.
Peter Macmillan Peter was made redundant in 2006 after almost 30 years working in supermarket management in the UK and decided to slow life down. He told us: “At that time I had two dogs and a static caravan in the highlands in Scotland, so for a couple of years I managed to get by with temporary summer seasonal work in supermarkets, and as a gardener.
When my own dogs passed, I fostered and rescued Springer Spaniels for about 5 years, still spending a lot of time in north Scotland, but also keeping my flat in Glasgow. After the last spaniel went, I decided to see a bit of the world. I used to travel a lot in the 90’s but for 10 years had hardly left Scotland. I have friends in Singapore so decided on SE Asia, where I spent most of the next 3 years until 2020. I still have my flat in Scotland (a 120-yearold building in need of repairs that I couldn’t rent to anyone). But in the last year, with neighbours in agreement about repair costs and necessary grants, I finally got everything fixed. the flat now has a new roof, pinned walls and upgraded electrics. Work started in January 2020 coming to a halt when Covid came along, but eventually the work was completed in July. Now I have to decide whether to carry on travelling and pet sitting, sell or rent my flat, stay in Scotland, or buy somewhere else! My thoughts at the moment are to try to get out to Asia again, at least for another “season”, although I doubt travel will be as easy now, and if it gets too difficult or unpleasant, I may just decide to return to Scotland. One other option is to get a retirement visa for somewhere like Thailand or Bali and just sit on the beach with a beer!
Sue & Dave Pearse
Janet Sussman
I love this topic as so many of us have fascinating stories to tell.
Brisbane home for rental income) and left Australia as full time travelling home and
Ten years ago I was trying to figure out what was next for me. I had lost a son, my husband of 32 years and then a home and a farm in the financial crash. I had gained 90 lbs from the stress and was on anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds. My other two adult children had
pet sitters. It was the best life we could have imagined and we saw no likelihood of it ending in the near future. This time last year we were poised to leave Australia again on one-way flights to
Long story short, I got back in shape, decided to take a one year leave from
In 2015 Dave and I let go of most of our possessions (although we kept our
Spain, with no return date planned. Of course that didn’t happen and when our long term tenants told us they were reluctantly vacating our apartment we set about moving back in to create a comfy home and garden, long enough to ride out Covid before setting off again. Now that we’ve been here for several months we have experienced the joy of deeply reconnecting with our family and friends, those dear people who stayed on here while we galavanted around the world for years.
met the loves of their lives and so I had no idea who I was anymore.
my job and go teach in an international school in Panamá. That changed everything. Since then I've retired, learned Spanish, travelled to several parts of Europe, Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Two years ago I gave up my apartment and started house sitting while teaching English online. I cannot believe this is my life! I have never been happier or more grateful.
Our grandchildren are of a particularly interesting and gorgeous age and we are happy to be near them with the opportunity to build those unique and important relationships. Certain family members are benefitting from having us here, and we’re actually glad to be able to lend a hand or an ear, and always our hearts. I’ve been pondering this for a while and I said to Dave yesterday, “I’m glad to be home, I think it’s where we need to be right now”.
Sue - Easter baking with the grandkids
Debs of 2 Northern Souls
Bonnie Traux - 43BlueDoors
My husband and I have been on the road
Retired, sold almost everything, back-
for almost four years now, three of those full time house sitting. As for many others, the pandemic has turned our nomadic world upside down and we are still unsure of how our future looks. We’re currently enjoying our base on the NE UK Coast, where we’ve been since March 2020, but we do miss our travels immensely. My work as a graphic designer has kept me busy during the pandemic and being in one place has allowed me to concentrate on building my business – so, “every cloud has a silver lining” as they say! We will tentatively be returning to house sitting this year, but mainly repeat sits, staying at our NE base inbetween, as we are unsure about returning to house sitting full-time. Unfortunately the whole process has changed somewhat over the
packed from Central South America all the way down to Antarctica. It took 2.5 years. Then we upgraded to an RV and travelled the “Big Lap” around Australia. That took 17 months. Currently in USA waiting for borders to open again. We only do house sitting occasionally, using it as a "vacation" from our travels. We have no idea what’s next but we are loving life. The changes are so much fun.
Roving Jay We quit our jobs in Los Angeles to relocate to Turkey and have spent the past 4 years house sitting, doing workaways, travelling and living In Turkey.
past year. I think we’ll see how things look in 6 months before we make any solid plans going forward, but we’re hopeful of returning to Europe towards the end of
I thought this would be the model for our life going forward but the Turkey house sale is final today and we’re relocating
the year.
back to LA for a while.
Either way, we are excited about what the future holds and how we will embrace our nomadic lifestyle again soon.
I always thought I needed to own a base. But the idea of not owning a house is liberating.
"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise. The way to activate the seeds of your creation is by making choices about the results you want to create." -- Robert Fritz
"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." -- Michael Altshuler
Kate Evans Eight years ago we decided to retire early
Seriously, we have so much “down time”, and that's something else I love - that we aren't slaves to the machine. Our time is
and live home-free as travellers.
our own.
Since then I’ve had both brain tumour and thyroid tumour surgery, purchased a casita in Mexico, taught for a year in China, attended a former student's wedding in
Covid put the kibosh on our plans to travel in Europe. But I feel good about the
Vietnam, travelled all over SE Asia, Australia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, Hawaii, and mainland USA. I've experienced tons of live music (including JazzFest in New Orleans), completed over 50 house sits, and done endless snorkelling, yoga, hiking and skiing. All that... and more time for my writing. During this period I have published 3 books and a bunch of articles. I also taught a writing retreat in Thailand, developed online courses, and built a writing coaching/editing business. What keeps me from feeling the "boggeddown-homeowner thing" is that our casita is small and we rent it out when we travel. We don't have the ability or desire to collect “stuff”, just experiences, and that was always my dream. It's so funny to read this. It sounds like we've done a ton of stuff... and we have. But in this lifestyle time seems to stretch in very cool ways.
possibilities of that happening next year. Since November, we've done a 2 month housesit in LA with a social distanced and masked handover, and are now in the middle of one in Utah. Mid-April we go to Hawaii for a 2-monther. This is a life I couldn't have even imagined was possible as we set out 8 years ago on nearly a whim. I'm beyond grateful to be living it.
Susan Lorek We travelled a lot in our younger years and lived in different countries. Now we're approaching retirement and the conventional thought is that things will be quieter, calmer and more settled. Our plan is to start house sitting with some regularity, once travel is back to "normal". We'll keep our home base for now, but who knows for the future. I think each house sit teaches us something and may change our minds. I'm looking forward to getting some wind under our wings again.
Heather Chapman Almost ten years ago in the summer I was made redundant for the second time without pay from my village shop bakery job. I started babysitting again and then
I wanted to be in Europe and was planning to get Italian citizenship through my mother, but was still trying to get hold of some necessary documents. So in the meantime, my plan was to hang out in Albania until I had everything I needed and
got asked to pet sit for my neighbours.
could go to Italy.
Then I had to start my business from
Then Covid happened and the borders
scratch with no money as the new bakery owners gave my shifts to someone in their original business.
closed before I could get over to Albania. I was house sitting in England at the time, so ended up going back to the US for 5
It was when the credit crunch was happening and my hours had been reduced to almost nothing. My shifts were cut to running the market stall for the shop, rather than serving in the shop as
I didn't have any plans to stay long-term, but since arriving here, destiny has kind of intervened, and I've created a life and
well, and during weeks without shifts I had no money at all. But now I have been self employed as a pet sitter for almost 10 years this summer. I taught myself how to run a business and have worked hard to learn as much as I can to give the pets I look after the best of care.
Deborah Provenzale I sold everything and moved overseas to Taiwan in 2011 and have never looked back. I lived and worked there for 8 years, becoming a permanent resident (not citizen) and building my own business. I moved that online and left in 2019 to travel and house sit until I found a new home base.
months. Finally, in August 2020, I was able to successfully make it to Albania.
close friendships that I never could have imagined or expected, and in just a few short months. It's amazing! I'm learning the language, and have just moved to a new, more permanent apartment. I already have "adopted" local family here who take really good care of me, and I've become an integral part of their business. They own a stable with 45 horses, and I "work" there training horses, giving riding lessons and guided day tours. I say "work," because I do it all for fun. It's my passion, and I'm rewarded by my work in so many ways beyond anything money could give me. I may have even already found a special someone, although a bit more time will tell on that one.
“I’m glad to be home, I think it’s where we need to be right now”.-- Sue Pearse
WHAT TO DO WITH PETS ON RV & MOTORHOME HOLIDAYS by Barbara Woods I dearly love my two cats. We took them on a month-long RV trip, but truthfully they didn’t really enjoy it. When we left them in the rig for the day’s adventures, they would sleep all day, get bored and then, keep us up all night with kitty races. Their litter box is a challenge in the small space, and there’s always the way they look at you like you are their jailer and tormenter, all in one. Cats are place based… they just prefer being at home.
But, what if you’re a dog owner? Dogs love trips in the car and adventures and being with you no matter what. But, there’s this to consider. I just finished a 4month campground host experience in Death Valley, a US National Park where I lived in the RV without my cats, but more about that in a moment. For the dog owners I saw firsthand how much dog owning RVers lost their freedom by having their dogs along. The US National Parks allow dogs ONLY where cars can go, so no long hikes, no meandering walks where the spirit might lead you, no casual overnight backpacking escapes.
Limited options for pets at
For a very reasonable fee, you gain access to
National Parks in USA
a world-wide network of people who love animals, and would love to come stay in your
National Parks in the US (and in many other countries too) are simply trying to protect indigenous wildlife so I understand it. But, they also prohibit leaving dogs in rigs. I heard many dogs whining and disturbing the neighbors. They are also in danger when left in hot vehicles. So, you either leave the dog in your rig and risk a fine as well as their safety, or you stay with the dog and are
home, take care of your pets, and do regular duties like bringing in the mail, tending the garden, and watering the house plants. You select the people who will be in your home. It costs you nothing other than the annual membership fee. Sitters come with references, background checks, profiles and contact letters.
limited in your activities.
You’ll have the choice of leaving your pets in
So what's the solution?
you to travel freely and easily without
If either of these stories ring true for you, I
sitters are happy to provide daily photos and
the comfort of their own homes, enabling concern for their wellbeing. Most house
have the perfect answer.
updates about how your pets are doing so
Four years ago, we found Trusted House-
cared for.
sitters, a fabulous online house sitting platform based out of the UK.
you can totally relax in knowing they are well
You can let go and enjoy your trip.
Finding a service like Trusted Housesitters has been a life changer for us. In four years, I’ve pet sat on four continents
If you'd like to see Barb's profile, here's the link to her listing at TrustedHousesitters
and had in excess of 20 sitters in our home
Barb's Profile
caring for our cats.
A lucky escape in Death Valley
Had they survived, we would have had to deal with their reactions, their stress, and
During the recent stay in Death Valley,
their needs, while we were facing our own
without the cats, we experienced a power
challenges in this harsh environment.
surge on the first day of our training, totally frying our surge protector and electric cord
Instead they were home in Oregon, safe in
connection.
the loving care of Marie who was having an absolute bliss experience staying in our
Temperatures were over 100 degrees for
home. This really does work for everyone
several weeks. Being in Death Valley, an
involved.
hour away from the nearest town, it took us a few days to get replacement equipment
I can’t say enough good about house sitting.
sent to us.
If you’re going to a park or natural area that allows pets to have freedom, great. If that
Had we brought the cats, they may have
works for you, great.
died the day of the surge as the trailer was way over 100 degrees when we returned to
But, if there is a way your experience could
find the damage.
be improved knowing that you have a safe and inexpensive alternative that means your pets can stay safely and happily at home, then check out house sitting as an option.
Click here to join TrustedHousesitters with a 25% Discount
GET TO KNOW YOUR DOG BREEDS
Breed Information for House Sitters
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACKS by Vanessa Anderson Discover the history, temperament and characteristics of this strong, loyal breed
Our most recent housesit in France
you’ll encounter, who just love human
involved looking after two llamas, one
company and want to be by your side all
cat and three dogs, two of which were a
of the time.
pair of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. This was only the third time we’d encountered
They maintain an air of independence
this breed. First was on a UK sit where
that makes them feel more like equals
we looked after Ruby, an old lady, and
than some breeds whose sole aim in life
then on a house sit in Africa where our
is to please, but will happily lean against
neighbour’s three Ridgies provided our
you, or lie by your feet in an attempt to
dog fix on a pet free house sit.
always be close.
There are two things that stand out on
This is a compilation of our experience
first meeting a Ridgeback. The striking
and extra research we've done on
ridge of hair along their backs, and their
Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
size and dignified demeanour. They are strong and muscular and can even seem
We hope it will give you more
a little aloof on first meeting, but if you
understanding if you're ever fortunate
spend time with them you’ll discover
enough to look after this breed or are
that they are one of the most loyal dogs
offered a sit with "Ridgies".
History of Ridgebacks
When longer range rifles were developed, the dogs were no longer
The Ridgeback is a breed most
needed for hunting and became guard
commonly found in South Africa.
dogs for the farms.
They are the result of crossing several
Cornelius von Rooyen was a hunter
breeds including a native ridged dog
who started a breeding program in
(kept by the pastoral Khoikhoi people),
Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and the
and several other breeds introduced to
standards were set in 1922 with little
Africa by European settlers. These
change since then. The “Rhodesian
include Bloodhounds, Great Danes,
Ridgeback” was officially accepted by
Mastiffs and Greyhounds.
the South Africa Kennel Union in 1924. They are classified in the hound group.
The Boer famers needed a versatile
These days they are more likely to
dog with good hunting skills that
enjoy hunting down a comfortable
could deal easily with extremes of
spot in the sun after a long walk or run
temperature, as well as the harsh
in the countryside.
terrain found in the bushland. They were originally used to flush out birds, boar or deer, but when big-game hunts (sadly) became popular it was found that Ridgebacks were good company for chasing down lions on horseback (aka African Lion Hound), making them an inherently good hunting breed. They love to run and are among the fastest of dog breeds, capable of not only tracking and pursuing prey, but also keeping it at bay until the hunters arrived on the scene.
Height and Weight Males: 25 to 27 inches weighing around 85 pounds (38.5 kg) Females: 24 to 26 inches weighing around 70 pounds (32 kg)
"Ridgebacks love their food, and yours if they can get access to it! Their size means that food on kitchen countertops is "fair game" so don't leave anything exposed!"
Only Ridgebacks with two crowns are likely to have any chance in a show ring! They are very easy to groom and from a house sitter point of view, are pretty low maintenance. A good once-a-week brush to help remove any loose or
Exercise requirements
dead hair will suffice, followed by a wipe down with a damp cloth. Our two
Young Ridgebacks are highly active
charges were only wiped.
and exuberant, but they mature into dogs with moderate exercise
Feeding Ridgebacks
requirements. Recommended daily amounts should Take these dogs on a couple of
be advised by your home owners,
vigorous walks or a jog each day along
depending on age, size, gender,
with some outdoor play and they will
metabolism and exercise levels, usually
generally be satisfied, needing less as
over two meals.
they age. But remember they also need mental stimulation or they will get
Ridgebacks are very food motivated
bored which can result in destructive
and because of their size it’s advisable
behaviours.
NOT to leave any food on countertops or accessible shelves. You might find
Coat, colour and grooming
they are snacking on your dinner or lunch leftovers or preparations!! We
These are handsome dogs with short,
also discovered they are very good at
shiny coats which for indoor dogs will
opening internal doors with just a
result in a small amount of year round
nudge on a handle with their strong,
shedding. Their coats only come in the
heavy chins!
colour “wheaten”, although it may appear in a variety of shades from a paler buff colour through to a reddish gold. This is described in breed standards as “light wheaten” and “red wheaten”. The “ridge” of hair on their backs lays in the opposite direction to their normal coat and it usually has two “whorls”, or circular “crowns”.
Temperament
They don’t need lots of fuss or strokes, and prefer a mutual respect until they
Ridgies make superb family guardians.
know you are not a threat.
Not only did the original breed hunt but they were also used to protect Boer
Ridgebacks aren’t naturally outgoing
farms and their families during more
dogs who love everyone they meet on
hostile times. They aren’t the sort of
sight. They are not at all aggressive,
dog that you’d approach as a stranger
just a little imposing, and because of
without some trepidation, but they are
their size and power they aren’t a
completely attached to their families
breed for everyone. Some house sitters
including children (albeit a bit over-
or more timid dog owners might find
bearing for toddlers), and will become
them too much of a handful, especially
lifelong companions, dedicated to
the puppies.
protecting you with a fierce loyalty. If a Ridgeback grows up around other It’s important to have a good handover
pets he’ll be accepting of them as part
where you walk the dogs with the
of the family. But they can be
owners to ensure this loyalty transfers
aggressive towards strange animals or
easily as you begin your time as
other dogs outside the household.
temporary carers.
Even if well socialized and trained, unneutered males can be a little edgy
Ridgebacks are very intelligent dogs
with other males, so as a house sitter
but do have a strong will and an
it’s best to keep them on a lead around
independence that can develop into
other dogs.
dominance or stubbornness if not well trained as a puppy. This requires a
Our well behaved pair were able to
strong dedicated trainer through their
walk off-lead in the rural French
early years, who doesn’t easily give in.
countryside among the vines where they were well known. But at a couple
Generally, these dogs don’t bark
of stretches near houses we always
without good reason, so if you hear
kept them on the lead, ensuring they
their deep throaty bark, it’s time to
were secured well in advance to avoid
investigate the source of their warning.
any potential problems.
Socialisation
This is good advice on any sit and
Ridgebacks can be reserved with new
you aren’t fully aware of the
visitors or strangers, and you’ll notice their normal gentle nature become more protective and aloof. Let them come to you.
something we think is important when temperament of the pets in your care. Even if the owners say they are fine off-lead, it's better to be safe than sorry when you don't know the dogs well.
Potential health problems A generally healthy dog, but as adults they can in some cases be prone to: Elbow Dysplasia which can lead to a painful lameness. Surgery, medication and weight loss are used to control the pain. Hip Dysplasia which is a hereditary condition caused by a misalignment of the thighbone and hip joint so that they don’t fit snugly. Pain and lameness of one or both hind legs may be apparent and arthritis can develop. This can be worsened by over-feeding and slippery floors that cause them to fall. The average lifespan of a Rhodesian Ridgebacks is between 10 and 12 years of age, although as with all dogs some live much longer.
Interesting facts about Ridgebacks
In the USA, one of the first breeders, back in the 1930’s, was the Hollywood movie star Errol Flynn. Other celebrity owners include Patrick Swayze, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. Ridgebacks have webbed feet that help them when walking across sandy surfaces. Ridgies love to eat and will make themselves sick by eating without restriction when given (or if they find) too much food.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Texas is the second largest state in the USA, which means it is bursting with cultural experiences, history, delicious cuisine, and attractions
TEXAS, USA
galore, not to mention all of the outdoor exploration and activities. If you're fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit the state while house
How to get the full Texas experience while house sitting in the Lone Star State
sitting, staying locally in a Texas neighborhood allows you access to the full gamut of Texas experiences while immersing yourself in the local culture. The best part of being able to house sit while also exploring the great state of Texas is that you will have a comfortable place to
By Gabe Nelson TexasisLife.com
N Oadventure. MADIC | 24 rest at the end of a day full of
Maybe you will take in a classic Texas rodeo. Perhaps you'll prefer to learn about the history of the state through detailed tours of infamous attractions, or enjoy one of the local lakes, rivers, or springs. You could explore the state and national parks, or you might want to simply shop for a new pair of cowboy boots. Texas has something for everyone.
FOOD Enjoy the local cuisine
With carry-out and delivery being available
When most people think of food in Texas,
you are watching.
at most restaurants, you can simply place an order and still keep an eye on the pets
the category “Tex Mex” comes to mind. There’s nothing better than a delicious Tex Mex was originally established in San
meal that you don’t have to cook while on
Antonio and has made its way around the
vacation.
country as a favourite addition to many menus. Tex Mex is Texas’ unique version
And don’t forget dessert. Blue Bell ice
of a blend of traditional Mexican food
cream is made in Texas too, so for dessert
mixed with new ingredients and spices.
when you are trying new places make sure to enjoy a slice of homemade pecan pie
Tex Mex is known for the flavour combos
with vanilla ice cream on the side.
of garlic, cumin and chilli powder. While house sitting in Texas, it will be easy to find a local Tex Mex restaurant to try, as they
Covid-19 Update
are some of the most popular restaurants
According to TravelTexas.com:
in the state. Fajitas, cheese enchiladas,
"There are currently no travel
refried beans, and chile con queso are
restrictions or mandatory quarantine
some of the more popular Tex Mex
requirements for travelers entering
options that locals love to suggest.
Texas. More on that here"
After enjoying an iconic and delicious Tex
Check for the latest safety
Mex meal, barbecue should be next on
guidelines for the state of Texas:
the list of local foods to try.
Office of the Texas Governor
VIRTUAL TOURS
It can truly make you feel like you are
From the comfort of your house sit
zoom call who can answer any questions
With technology rapidly progressing, new
Of course, if you can make it there for a
and unique options for cultural tours are becoming available more and more. Maybe you are house sitting in an area of the state far from some of the iconic Texas attractions such as The Alamo, in San Antonio or Big Bend National Park. No problem here as you can still experience what it feels like to tour them from the comfort of the couch thanks to new and improved virtual tour options. If you are wanting to take part in what it feels like to "Remember the Alamo", but can’t make it to the actual spot, the virtual tour option is an excellent substitute.
experiencing the Alamo in person. Not only can you explore the Alamo virtually on the tour, but you are also assigned a specific tour guide during your virtual you may have about the history behind this infamous location.
visit in person during your sit, or after as a travel excursion, even better.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Discover the green open spaces of Texas With a state as large as Texas, there are an abundance of options available for outdoor adventures. Most notably, Big Bend National Park and Palo Duro Canyon are some of the most visited outdoor locations in the state. People come from all over the world to experience the beauty that Big Bend has to offer. Cadillac Ranch is also a fun day trip outside of Amarillo, but is a shorter visit. Here you can purchase cans of spray paint to paint the cars buried in the sand - a fun experience for kids especially! Big Bend is the kind of trip you want to plan for a few days, so unless you're house sitting nearby, this should be on your bucket list for when you are done and can stay closer to the park. Palo Duro Canyon can be done in a day but depending on the time of year you go, there are some longer hikes you can do over a few days, so you may want to stay a little longer.
Throughout the state of Texas lakes, and rivers, as well as coastline, are available to enjoy. No matter where you are staying in the state, there is likely to be river or lake access nearby. Barton Springs Pool in Austin is on the "must see" list for many visitors as it is a local hot spring that has a beautiful view of downtown Austin. Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordered by the beautiful Hill Country region. It's known for an eclectic live music scene of country, blues and rock. It has many parks and lakes, all popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. Even if there aren’t any large national parks near you, Texas is full of numerous caverns and rivers just waiting to be explored. There are plenty of smaller state parks, and many are worthy of a day visit or a slightly longer camping trip.
RODEO
A visit to Texas means a trip
An iconic Texan experience
entertainment
full of adventure and
While house sitting, you can get the best of both worlds by enjoying virtual tours of
Texas is known for its big hats and cowboys. And what do cowboys like to do? Rodeo. Pretty much every city in the state has a local rodeo. So no matter where your temporary home is located, you will likely find a rodeo available nearby.
famous attractions as well as delicious carryout food to eat from local restaurants. If you have the time, it is worth exploring as many outdoor parks as you can while you are staying in “The Lone Star State”.
Texas rodeos have been around for over a century and are an entertaining and exciting cultural experience. Rodeos originally began because of the booming cattle industry in the state and have continued on for years as a popular form of entertainment.
GUEST POST
GABE NELSON Gabe Nelson is a content specialist with over 7 years of experience, currently working with TexasIsLife.com Just out of high school he set off crab fishing on the Bering sea in Alaska. From there he went back home to finish his college degree at the University of Montana. He has written hundreds of content pieces in numerous niches. He lives in Missouri with his wife and kids.
COVID-19 TRAVEL
Official CDC information website links for the USA CURRENT STATUS - INFORMATION FOR US TRAVELERS The situation changes often. Stay up to date with the latest information about the spread of COVID19 and the steps being taken to slow the spread. Remember that even if your country permits international travel, you may be restricted from entering many countries around the world, or have to pay for a quarantine hotel, even if you are fully vaccinated. Domestic house sits are still the safest option at the current time. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL All the info regarding international travel from the USA can be found on the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html
DOMESTIC TRAVEL WITHIN THE USA Testing is required to travel within the USA if you aren't fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated you can travel within the USA without the need for tests unless your destination requires it. More info here at the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
LINKS CORRECT AS AT 06 APRIL 2021 - FOR USA ONLY
"A view of Château de Tarde in La RoqueGageac - just one of the many delightful medieval towns in South West France to explore"
Post Covid Travel Inspiration
3 EPIC ROAD TRIPS Staycations and road trips are on everyone's mind this year. Fortunately, global travellers and house sitters, Nicky & Ian Mackenzie of Above Us Only Skies have plenty of tried and tested routes for you to follow and enjoy. And here’s just a sample to get you started:
The bastide towns and “beaux villages” of southwest France Driving around southwest France is one of life’s great pleasures. With endless vistas of rolling hills, world-famous vineyards and medieval towns of stunning beauty, it’s a trip to be taken slowly. Best of all, the roads are all but empty for large parts of the day. This route takes in a dozen of the area’s historic bastide towns and gorgeous “beaux villages” that are dotted all over the region. Check out the full trip here
Northern California Loop A classic road trip through some of North America’s most revered National Parks. Beginning and ending in San Francisco the route initially heads south to the spectacular Californian coastline at Big Sur. Then it’s inland to explore the mighty landscapes of Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks, before taking in some well-earned R&R at Lake Tahoe. Check out the full trip here
Western Australian loop from Perth A journey through a world of relentlessly blue sky, red rocks and green bush, the route heads north from Perth to the geological wonders of Karijini National Park. After which, the fabulous beaches and offshore attractions around Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef await. Including the chance to swim with whale sharks and humpback whales. And then it’s back south to Perth, calling in at UNESCO- listed Shark Bay and Kalbarri National Park along the way. Check out the full trip here
Love these images? See more at Wall Art Creatives by Above Us Only Skies Ian & Nicky’s new Etsy store, which was lovingly curated during the many months of lockdown! Click here to view gallery and get a special 20% discount
HOUSE SITTING TRAVEL PODCAST with Sam & Veren
NEW
NEW EPISODE EVERY TUESDAY THEHOUSESITTINGPODCAST.COM
Pondering our future At the same time, we were grateful for all of the many wonderful experiences we’ve been able to have since we started house sitting in 2016. We knew it was only a We are Sam and Veren and our newest story begins in March 2020, with a series of events that will unfortunately be all too familiar to countless house sitters
matter of time before we could get back to the lifestyle we loved. But as the months marched on, it became clear that “matter
affected by the pandemic.
of time” would be longer than initially expected. We began to ponder... how to keep the house sitting lifestyle alive in this
In normal times, my partner and I are digital nomads and full time house sitters. When the pandemic hit, like all
intermission? How to practice gratitude and appreciation for all the incredible experiences we’ve had, as well as all those surely yet to come?
other full timers, our lives were upended overnight. Initially, we tried to keep house sitting, but nothing panned out, even after months of trying. We were rife with anxiety not just due to our loss of housing, but the sudden implosion of our travel business as well. Eventually, we decided to set-up shop and wait out the pandemic in Buffalo, New York, which is a longer story for another day. It was a move that initially came out of self-preservation and unexpected necessity, but ultimately this choice ended up bearing fruits we never could have imagined.
Isn’t that the case with so many things in this house sitting lifestyle? We enjoyed and still enjoy our time in Buffalo, appreciating this hidden gem of a city while staying connected to the larger house sitting community online. Yet like so many house sitters, we sorely missed the lifestyle, the animals, and the people that we connected with through house sitting.
The answer arrived in the form of podcasting, a medium that’s been around for a while and is currently experiencing an explosion in popularity. For those that aren’t familiar with podcasts, think of them basically like a radio show on demand. But podcasts are so much more than radio, because there are no rules (in a good way). Podcasts can be a couple minutes or a couple of hours long, on any topic. They can have several hosts or one, include interviews or not – everything is game!
The convenience of podcasts Podcasts are available to listen to at any time, on any smartphone, with any number of free podcast apps (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher are the big ones). Listeners can
"House sitting is the answer, now what's the question?" Ian Usher
listen anywhere - on long walks, drives, while exercising, or simply at home doing the dishes, cleaning the house, or making dinner. We fell in love with podcasting in the early days of the pandemic. It’s such an intimate medium and a place for long form content, something that seems sorely missing in a world of 15 second Tik Tok videos and Facebook algorithms. When we realized that there was no podcast out there for the house sitting community, we knew immediately that we needed to take matters into our own hands and start one!
With that, I’m beyond excited to introduce to you House Sitting Travel, the very first podcast on the topic of house sitting to travel the world. We’re bringing the house sitting community together in podcast form for the first time, featuring inspiring interviews with globe-trotting house sitters as well as tips, advice and stories to help you live your dream life. I think we all agree that house sitters have amazing (and funny!) stories to tell. We are continually inspired by our guests, and by reminiscing about past experiences, it keeps the focus on all that we can be thankful for in this house sitting journey. We believe anyone can be a house sitter, which is why we’ve been very intentional to select a variety of house sitters from all walks of life for our first season, with solo sitters, couples, early retirees, a former professional pet sitter, as well as our very own Vanessa and Ian of House Sitting Magazine, of course! Ian said it best in their insightful interview: “House sitting is the answer, now what's the question.”
Find House Sitting Travel on your favorite podcast app,
or stream at: TheHouseSittingPodcast.com No smartphone or app needed
ISSUE 35 - APRIL 2021
HOUSE SITTING MAGAZINE
Editors Vanessa Anderson & Ian Usher Publisher Ian Usher Contributors Issue 35 Nicole Gustas, Barbara Woods, Gabe Nelson, Ian Usher, Vanessa Anderson, AboveUsOnlySkies, Sam&Veren Members of the Facebook Group
ADVERTISING & GUEST POST ENQUIRIES vanessa@housesittingmagazine.com
OTHER ENQUIRIES admin@housesittingmagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS House Sitting Magazine is FREE to read online at: HouseSittingMagazine.com
Copyright 2016-2020 by Ian Usher. All rights reserved
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER This magazine contains affiliate links which are financial relationships. If you choose to apply for any service or product through an affiliate link we may be compensated by way of a small commission. This should never negatively affect the price that you pay for the product or service. House Sitting Magazine offers a FREE subscription service, and affiliate sales ensure that our subscription remains free. We always link to information we have tried or used ourselves, and that we consider beneficial and of value. It is your choice, as with any advertisement, whether to obtain further information or make a purchase.
Our next issue will be available to read in July 2021. If you've got a story to tell send us an email at: vanessa@housesittingmagazine.com