Sue Berlove-Pet Sitter

Sue Berlove-Pet Sitter Sue Berlove lives in your home, keeping your home secure and your pet happy. I have been a pet sitter since 2017, when I joined Trusted House Sitters. Sue
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Trusted House Sitters is a website where pet sitting is exchanged for accommodation. Pet owners are looking for someone to keep their home and pet secure while they travel. And pet sitters are looking for cheap accommodation at a travel destination. This was a good introduction to the world of pet sitting. It has been fun and I have enjoyed befriending many breeds of dogs and cats.. Tt was these

experiences that motivated me to develop a small pet sitting business in Toronto and southern Ontario. What does a pet sitter do? Because pets are lilving in their own homes and they have established routines, the pet sitter is expected to learn and manage those routines. I have an information form that owners use to provide me with those details. I also make sure that pets know that I am their temporoary person, someone they can rely on, someone who will love and care for them while their people are away. It is also my job to make sure that the house is secure and kept clearn. Dogs aren't usually trained to wipe their paws at the door. Am I the right sitter? I think that there needs to be a basic level of trust between the pet owner and sitter. That is why I meet with people before agreeing to sit for them. When the owner talks abou their expectations and I explain my service, we are looking to see if we are compatible. What kinds of problems can arise? Problems often crop up unexpectedly during a sit. I have found that is is important to agree in advance on how I will handle them. For example, an animal gets sick, a toilet doesn't flush, you accidently break something. We disccuss these examples and make some decisions about how such problems would be addressed. Cleanliness can be an issue. Pet sitters are not professional cleaners. Yet a sitter has some responisbility to keep the house in order. This should be a topic of conversation. Why Choose Me? I like most of the dogs and cats I meet. And they seem to sense that I care. They are good companions because hey tend to be loyal and don't criticize my behavior. I love to walk dogs and I am willing to cuddle with a pet that needs close attention. I take the job seriously, because I think pets deserve a loving caregiver. I am an honest and responsible individual. I will treat your home as though it is my own. Homes are personal and I respect your property and will keep the house secure. So contact me if you think we might be a good match.

05/23/2024
Sharing the dog bed
03/15/2024

Sharing the dog bed

Walking Quincy in the morning
03/15/2024

Walking Quincy in the morning

Waiting for me
03/15/2024

Waiting for me

Amber lives in Mimico
01/11/2024

Amber lives in Mimico

Rose is a gentle giant
01/11/2024

Rose is a gentle giant

09/21/2023

If you need a live in pet sitter this fall, let me know. I would love to live in Port Hope for a couple of weeks! And don't worry. I also love dogs and cats!!
Sue

09/21/2023

Becoming a Pet Sitter--My Story

Whien I first started thinking about pet sitting, dogs were a distant memory; and I was 65. Although my family always included one or two dogs, as an adult, I hadn't wanted a dog; I have always believed that dogs don't belong in cities. And I was a Torontonian. By 2016, when considering becoming a pet sitter, I needed to reach back in time to remember what it was like to grow up with dogs.
I grew up on Lake Ontario, on a large property where children had plenty of room to play and dogs were able to run off leash. Along with the run of the kitchen, our collies and retrievers had the freedom of the neighborhood. There weren't fences between the big old houses that lined Lake Road. While they were sometimes on a chain that slide along the clothesline, it was most common for dogs in the neighborhood to roam freely. We didn't worry about dogs chasing us except when we biked down the big hill to buy candy at The Little Store, that's the only time that neighborhood dogs hung on our heels.
In 2016, someone told me about an international pet sitting site, where exchanges between owners and sitters gave sitters a way to travel economically. It sounded interesting--a way to travel safely on my own. But, how did I feel about taking care of other people's pets...cats would be ok. But dogs--I wasn't sure. I needed an opportunity to test the water, to get some hands-on experience with dogs.
A friend introduced me to her neighbor, who owned a dog and needed a sitter. I offered to pet sit for free, and they were willing to participate in my trial run.. As well, this home was across the street from my friend's home. I had access to support, should I need it.
They oriented me to Molly's habits and routines, house rules and their dog walking practices. That was when i was introduced to stoop and scoop--the rule of the road for dog walkers. I discovered how p**p bags are packaged, how they are clipped onto leashes and how to manage the scoop transaction without getting p**p on my hands. That practice hadn't been part of my childhood. I wondered if I could stoop....and scoop? I have to confess that the p**p and scoop seemed like a possible deal breaker
That week I found a place to take Molly for a walk off leash. We walked in a large open field--a memorable day for me.. Watching her run full tilt over the grassy hills, the wind blowing through her hair , the scene was mesmerizing Eventually, we headed back to the top of a hill where I could rest on some soft grass.
Sitting there, I watched her as she followed me up the hill. When she arrived, she was panting, out of breath and filled with the joy of the run. I was thrilled as I took in this snapshot of freedom. I felt connect to her and her bliss of speed. Instinctively, it was clear to me: I was made for this.
She nudged me expectantly. I stroked her furry black back, then rolled down beside her in the grassy patch of landscape. This was true love, and it filled my heart.
I put the p**p bags into perspective, recognizing that this I was cut out for this type of companionship. Trained as a social worker, with a strong service orientation and a complete love of dogs, I moved from consideration to commitment.

09/21/2023
08/16/2023

Save the date and register now.

Nikki is my current best friend. In Toronto. Morning Sunshine on the front porch
08/16/2023

Nikki is my current best friend. In Toronto. Morning Sunshine on the front porch

A great dog.
06/05/2023

A great dog.

My latest friend. I am carrying for remy this week
06/01/2023

My latest friend. I am carrying for remy this week

03/22/2023

This is Ada, a wonderful rescue that i am sitting with in the Orkneys. Her comrad is Winnie. See next

I'm in Birsay, on Orkney's main island, and these sweet pets are in my care.
03/19/2023

I'm in Birsay, on Orkney's main island, and these sweet pets are in my care.

Griffin is asleep by the fireplace and I am close by
12/25/2022

Griffin is asleep by the fireplace and I am close by

12/01/2022

Purchase this design on note cards--your choice of colour

I don't think I have introduced you to these friends.
09/26/2022

I don't think I have introduced you to these friends.

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Toronto, ON
M4V2K4

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My Pet Sitting Service

When pet owners travel, they want to make sure that their pet(s) receive TLC. As a live in pet sitter, I ensure that your house is secure and your pet enjoys the warmth of my companionship while you are away. If this is a first sit, I will want to visit your home and meet you and your pet(s) to make sure that I am the right person for the job. Live in pet sitting is personal: we need to get to know each other!

You will need to give me instructions about daily routines so I can make sure your pet has a familiar daily schedule. I will need an orientation to your home and information about any personal or professional resources to use in house maintenance. Your written instructions about your pet and your home provide me with the details on hand. We will agree on an approach to handling communication, emergencies and things out of the ordinary.

My rates are, on average, $30 per night for cats and $40 per night for dogs. These vary if there is more than one pet requiring care.

I have developed many wonderful friendships with pets of all kinds. Please look at the photos on this page and meet some of them! I will refer you to some of their owners if you want a reference.

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