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House and Pet Sitter. United Kingdom PETS & POEMS OPENING STATEMENT OF INTRODUCTION

Pets & poems is my life-choice and is not a profit orientated business.

As a writer, it allows me to write peacefully and to live a healthy way of life, whilst providing you with 100% peace of mind whilst you are away, knowing that your pet(s) are being loved and cared for and that your house will be returned to you in excellent order. My decision to accept a booking on all occasions is based on the presence of warm mutual respect and equality between myself and the h

ousehold and not on the basis of a transactional arrangement. To date, I have never accepted a booking based on the fact that I am being paid and communication between us is central to achieving these aims. I like to respond promptly and to acknowledge all correspondence, no matter how small or irrelevant it may seem, and a reciprocal curtesy is essential to me, in order to feel comfortable and happy to proceed. If you feel that this is not your way of being, or that your communication differs markedly from my own, then it is best to seek an alternative more conventional/transactional arrangement that will better suit your needs. It is essential that you are entirely happy with my approach, before contacting me to arrange a booking and so please email me to request the full Introduction which will help you to arrive at a decision that is best for you (and for myself) in the long run.

19/11/2025

My last week with the beautiful Gus (golden and Rufie). In between our twice daily walks around the park at dusk and dawn, they spend the rest of the time looking at me in anticipation of the next! Rufie, being a Spaniel is constantly alert to what's happening next but I have noticed something marvellous now that he is entering his middle years: He now just walks into the back of the car when it's time to go home!!!! this is utterly incredible in context as rounding Rufie up has been part of the twice annual routine for the past several years!! Here's a last few studies of them in their repose... (including Gus and his customary laid back ones!!). They are dear creatures and I look forward to being with them again in the Spring.

10/11/2025

Greetings from the home of the lovely Golden Gus and Rufie the Spaniel who I return to each Spring and Autumn. So, we are happily into our usual routine. Up before day light and in the park just as Dawn is breaking, so they have the entire place to themselves to run joyously and riotously. Every squirrel in the park is aroused and I am certain, the current generation have been passed Rufie's information down to them as each year goes by and he is now firmly rooted within their cultural heritage. It seems to me the squirrels therefore play daring games with him as he chases and races them up the trees, they will often hang about half way, just to tease him that little bit more to make their mornings just as exciting as Rufie's. Then, it's back for breakfast and hanging out, and generally watching me until I am ready for the afternoon walk, which then has to be shared with the rest of the human and canine world, thus Rufie has to be watched just a little bit more... no doubt, the squirrels are a bit disappointed...

06/11/2025

Greetings from the home of the lovely Oscar, who used to be part of the dynamic duo Freddie and Oscar. It is hard to believe that he is now middle-aged, as I first saw him in a door-way as an adorable little puppy of just a few months old. We still go on one of my favourite walks; a short drive where he can go straight off lead and run to his heart's content whilst I take in the wonderful array of scenery including rivers, fields, woods and streams and even the ruins of a large roman villa for our half way point. The woods have a definite atmosphere and used to be part of a thriving mining community and the area was known for it's stone and slate.

05/11/2025

December Availability
Dear All, due to a cancellation, I have availability between December 7th and December 14 if anyone would like to take advantage of those dates, do get in touch.
Warm wishes, Lorraine
I'm currently with Oscar the Spaniel who I have known since he was a pup. He's now middle aged, which is very hard to believe! Photos to follow shortly

24/10/2025

My last day with the little furry family and they are all just lovely. Pixie and I are now firm friends and she often joins me for the afternoon catnaps. I must say, sofas suit them or they suit sofas?

23/10/2025

Updated Availability for November
Dear All, I have largely four full days available between the 24th and 27th of November if anyone would like to take advantage of those dates, do get in touch. Warm wishes, Lorraine

19/10/2025

Greetings from the home of Pepper (whose pet name has become sparrow/little sparrow for some reason as the days have unfolded), H**e, and Buckie the pup (from left to right). Suddenly I am now on countdown to the last few days of being with them, after arriving just under two weeks ago. They live in a big house with a wonderful wood just a few minutes walk away and it's a daily joy to see them rushing off into the wood and racing around in joy from start to finish. Mornings begin with reading and cuddles on the sofa. The first few minutes they climb all over me and then all settle down into positions. Pepper to my left, on a cushion at the level of my ear, H**e to my right, nestled into my thigh and Buckie sits on another sofa, and sometimes just lies there content and gazing over at us, literally with his puppie dog eyes! The first joint activity is the morning walk in the woods and then we return for a second woodland walk before dusk sets in. Evenings are gorgeous; a repeat of the morning cuddles before they get into their sleepy laid back mode. As soon as they hear the remote control go off, they all bolt for the door as they know that this means 'security' whereby they rush out into the garden, run around the perimeter of the property to check we are all safe and sound, whilst I lock the gate and we all retire for bed-time treats and goodnights. This largely has been the rhythm of our days and will no doubt remain so until I say goodbye on Friday. It's lovely to get to know their individual personalities and there has been time to do that due to the length of my stay.

13/10/2025

I realise a whole new adjective (a Spaggle of Spaniels) is required when looking after more than two Spaniels and 'Spaggled' is without a doubt how I feel this-morning after taking Buckie the swashbuckling buckaroo of the Spaniel kingdom to the Vets last night. Now, I had strict instructions based on Buckie's prior behaviour (he's still very much a puppie) to keep everything out of reach and so when leaving the kitchen, I ensure there is nothing on the surfaces that could do harm to Buckie. So, with all chairs tucked tightly in and a sweep of the areas all done, I decided to have a shower, without all three in tow. Thirty minutes or so later, I entered the kitchen to see three things: Firstly a puddle of salt on the floor left untouched. Secondly, my packet of pro-biotics opened but mercifully untouched (actually I don't know why as after a taste of the powder it wasn't bad at all) and thirdly.... my sealed container of nuts and raisins that thankfully I recalled were ready for a top up). These were placed in the middle of the table, under a thick piece of cloth and with chairs all tightly tucked in. After analysing the scene for a minute or two, I deduced that Buckie had used the sofa to jump up and on to the table. As calmly as possible, I realised that Buckie had to be taken to the Vets which resulted in all raisins and walnuts coming up whole and in one go. I learned that an injection is used to make the dogs vomit, and that the window of opportunity to act is within four hours (we were there within the first). I also learned that dogs can either eat as many as they like and be fine, or one or two can cause a severe toxic reaction and lead to renal failure. A bit like us with peanuts and anaphylactic shock I guess. Btw as I am writing this account, I could hear a strange watery sound that seemed to be coming from the area of the cupboards which back into a store room and then a hall and garage area. As my body is still on hight alert, I jumped up quickly to check that nothing had sprung a leak. Sitting back down, I could still here this strange 'wet' sound and with all dogs accounted for, I was still a little disturbed. Then it struck me: was pixie the cat lying on one of the seats beneath the table. Now Pixie is the most happy but independent cat I have met. She comes to purr and be petted when she's ready for her feeds but is absolutely content to spend the rest of her day doing her thing. Little did I know that she's been sat right beside me at my work station!!! anyway, back to Buckie: he went to bed with charcoal mixed in with his food and this morning was right as rain much to my great relief. I have now made space to put all my belongings in a kitchen drawer and never again is Buckie going to do this on my watch. Btw. Buckie looks to me either like a swashbuckling pirate or some transgender pop star from the 1980s. I see him with one earing with one side of his hair (ear) swept back. Perhaps too, a long haired Adam Ant. Here he is: the one and only Buckie and the three of them lined up on the sofa that is next to me.

09/10/2025

Cancellation Notice

Dear all, I have received a cancellation notice for 24th - 30th November, if anyone would like to take advantage of those dates, please do get in touch.

Warm wishes

Lorraine

08/10/2025

Greetings from the home of the lovely Trio of Spaniels: Pepper (darker) H**e (lighter) and Buckie (black and white). Buckie is the youngest and everything needs to be out of his way or else he'd be indulging in dark chocolate, onions, nuts and raisins and all and anything that could be dangerous for him and so he goes in the crate at night. Last night was my first night. I am now the Shepherdess of these three for the next three weeks! What a treat. They are beautifully trained and when it comes to looking after three dogs at once, which has occasionally occurred, it's a chance to see doggy dynamics in action. Now it has gone from two guardians to one (me), they had to work out the new dynamics and pecking order I guess, and without doubt, it was Pepper who was calling the shots. For some reason, maybe because Pepper and H**e are of the same age, she allowed Buckie into the inner circle, but not H**e and initially warned her off with a low grumble. Pepper wanted rights to the closest proximity, then Buckie, then Phoebe on the periphery, but it seems that once these boundaries are established, then leeway is then allowed. H**e knows her place, Pepper knows this and so she's more relaxed. After the initial establishing of rules, perhaps there is some further communication we're not privy to, or from that initial point, it is forever set? whatever the case, apart from one little reminder that Pepper gave H**e this-morning, it's been entirely harmonious. They have a great routine just before bed. I announce 'Security' and then they all line up at the door, rush out and go around the perimeter of the property, I lock the gates, they do their end of day ablutions and then there's a bedtime treat for each and Buckie in the crate. The night was silent throughout and they were as good as gold this morning. It is going to be great fun getting to know them and they are lovely companions. So, here they are. You'll see one photo of Buckie in the first hour or so of his guardian's leaving, a little subdued and curled up on the brown mat, but he soon started to relax!!! Last but not least, I am looking after the lovely jet black Pixie the cat. She's small and very sweet and comes to say hi when she is ready for me to feed her. We are moments away from our forest walk and I am about to do the first of the day with them, map in hand and no doubt, they will be helping lead the way too.

03/10/2025

AVAILABILITY 2026

Dear All

Below are the available dates for 2026 as they currently stand. If you have specific dates in mind do let me know and I can offer first refusal on any of these periods if a cancellation occurs and before I re-advertise the dates via a general round robin.

There is one remaining period this year between December 7th and 14th if anyone would like to take advantage of these dates, do get in touch.
AVAILABILITY 2026

January Full
February: 3rd – 7th
February: 19th – Onwards (through to March 3rd)
March: 1st – 3rd
March: 24th – 31st
May: Full
June: 1st – 7th
July: 27th – onwards (through to August 9th)
August: 1st – August 9th
August: 17th – 22nd/23rd (pending))
September: Full
October: Full
November: 16th onwards (through to December 12th)
December: 1st – December 12th

30/09/2025

Little Toffee apple in the sun. It's the last of the apples now, and she got quite fat on them when I was here a couple of weeks ago, but she is starting to lose some weight again, now that the windfalls are almost over. Today has been so lovely and Toffee and I have been making the most of the sun and the garden. What other way to best savour the last of the apples, than to have them near your nostrils as you lie on the lawn and take in the afternoon sun. This is day three of my time with Toffee and I am with her again until early next week, before I join three new canine souls and their feline companion who I very much look forward to introducing you all to shortly.

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