Riley's Rascals Pet Sitting

30/08/2024

Hi RR's Family!
Just a reminder after like 2pm today I'm off for the weekend. I will be busy assisting with my favorite project of the year and also slightly in the boonies so will get back to you on Tuesday please expect a delay in response I know not my normal.
Also in Sept I'm taking 2 classes so I might be a little slower to respond if trying to focus Pet end of life doula and certification to be a Pet Bereavement Specialist here's to all the certifications to really be all in on helping my clients walk the hardest road we have.
Happy school schedule adjusting, empty nest adjusting the leaves are already starting and the acorns are already trying to give me a concussion so stay safe. Happy Labor day weekend!

Dutchy, Zipper, Trixie, the Poopies aka Molly and Lucy, Maxy, Flowers, Flowers and Huey!

❤️

14/08/2024

Hi RR's family,
Soooo one of the things I'm really having a hard time with enforcing in my contract is suprise surprise Payment! Payment for anything besides walks is due at the latest the day I start. Do you know mostly when you're getting paid? It makes life a lot easier doesn't it? Wellllll I want that ability too. Overnights I did ask for a retainer 50% to book and the remainder at the beginning except holidays those are up front in full to book!. The 1st of the year retainers are getting enforced too. No spot on my calender till it's paid even for my long timers I need to budget just like you.
I also am trying to solve the cleaning people conundrum ANYONE that has access to your house makes my insurance void because there's no proof if I or they did the thing. So I am going to require you cancel your cleaning people pretty soon. I don't want to have to change my whole day around them and I make their lives more difficult and vice versa. My advice is to pay them anyway and move them to right after you return from a trip or add a time around a chaotic time of year ect to make up for it. If you have another suggestion I'm all ears but it really throws a wrench in my days. I'm grateful for them as who wants to clean but having wet socks and dirtying your just mopped floor happens waaaaayyyy too often.
Ohhh while I'm on the subject of enforcement got driveway/sidewalk care taken care of? Extra swipes for upcoming vacations in those icky months? I'm going to enforce that too! No plow no walk, no sand, no walk and no parking no visit.
Doors, locks, keys all need to be in easy, normal working order! With an extra way in if something malfunctions please I have arthritic hands sad but true I can't force hard keys anymore. Please help me!

As always I love my job and I value my clients you are why I do this but my contract is a thing for a reason. Please respect it and know how much I really put into loving your households! ❤️ sorry for sharply wording my message but I do have to take care of me too! Boundaries are uncomfortable for me.

Bella, Lily, Axle, Poppy sploot

08/08/2024

Hey RR's family,
How's this weird transition month starting for ya? It's like the last ditch effort to enjoy your summer and prepare for flannel, pumpkin, apple and school. Soooo that being said I get a lot of questions about behavior and training and that is definitely not my strong point is frequently who I refer to when it comes to overcoming those challenges we are so lucky to have all kinds of cool useful resources around is also a cool resource to help implement enrichment and tire out those pups! And Mim who is ProblemSolvedLLC and Judy who is Canine Behavior Counseling and so many enrichment walkers or adventure walkers too all things I don't do or have great knowledge in. Check them all out. The pups that have a team seem to do so much better. We also have some amazing vet practices in the area too. We have PT in the area, some acupuncture and laser able peeps. Use the services they are so valuable! I am so grateful for all the resources! Team petcare is so fulfilling we can fill in where others struggle and everyone wins but especially the pets! 🏆🏅🎖

Here comes all the bunny pics (Poppy is the splooter and the bigger, Thumper is the grey smaller one), Maxy, Hutchy and Lucy. 😁

❤️

24/07/2024

Hi RR's family,
All is aok just busy and lots of shifting schedules and brainstorming my new direction but that being said I had a lot shift in overnight availability so I'll post my dates available till 2025. Happy almost August thank you as always for your trust and support! I will not be taking any extra visits Aug 14th-20th as I'll be sitting far away from my normal clients, also no walks Sept 25th I'm getting tattooed 😁

Availability for overnights-
Aug-4th-10th, 26th-29th OFF for Labor day weekend it's so early this year!
Sept-3rd-8th, 12th-19th, Pet End of Life Doula class starts ❤️
Oct-2nd-3rd, 7th-10th, 15th-18th, Off 19th-20th, 21st-24th, 28th-30th
Nov- 4th-8th, 14th-15th, Off 16th-17th, 18th-22nd
Dec-2nd-13th,16th-20th Off for New Years!

Woooo
Huey Lewis and the new sitter news, Lucy being a goob, Audrey look at that look, and Miso who has the "help me" look lol he climbed on my lap

#

12/07/2024

Hi RR's Family,
I have this weekend off totally and it's my last one till Labor day weekend I'm in need of being truly off the clock for a few days so I am truly trying to leave buisness off from today at 3pm till Monday. I love you guys so much so please know it's not that. Just a lot going so unless an emergency is happening please know I'll get back to you on Monday! Thank you for being you and my heroes!

Mindy

Max for attention!

10/07/2024

Hi RR's family,
Can I be personal and proud for a minute? I'm now a certified Advocate for Hospice and Pallative Care! Big accomplishment for this school challenged individual but especially not a typical classroom setting so yahoo! What this means? My job/buisness will be shifting a bit but how I haven't totally figured out yet. So stay tuned! Will definitely not be dropping any current clients but probably won't be taking anymore just regular walk clients. In September will be taking another certification course to be an end of life pet doula so my vet assistant years/experiences teamed with this feels like the perfect marriage of my passions to help people and pets on some of the hardest days through the hardest journeys. But in the meantime here's some of my recent happy client adventures.
My certificate, the sky last night, Andy, Trix aka Fluffers, Max, Moose, Maggie, Maggie, Chava, Maggie

❤️ #

28/06/2024

One of my most recommended vets and I also am hoping to be sorta part of these journeys in the future the bridge between Vetterinary staff and Owners I am so happy that it's getting more attention. Dr. Frey is a rockstar!

According to Forbes Advisor, 51% of pet owners consider their animals members of the family. In turn, a concierge style of vet care is rising.

24/06/2024

Hi RR's family and prospective clients,
It's busy season add construction, everything being 20 minutes apart at least. I'm late for everything so if meet and greets are required as they always are before I schedule a job please give me patience I always have a lot of clients I'm juggling and I am only 1 person. If that's not ok we might not be a great fit and that's totally ok we are lucky to have a lot of professionals in the area! I love my job but when I can teleport that will be a great improvement 🤣

Audrey and Kodiak, Audrey and chippy, Todd man was pupset no room for him, that changed lol

❤️

16/06/2024

Hi RR's family!
Happy Dad's day to you all! I know some of you never wanted the pets but love them the fiercest lol how's the summer shaking up for you all? Remember to be mindful of all the things flea/tick prevention, pavement being too warm, leaving them in cars, it's about to get 🔥.
Thank you to most for being so good about helping me work through my contract and paying retainers and respecting my growing pains. You really are the best family I appreciate you all. Taking my first class on being an advocate for Pallative and Hospice care and Sept is my pet end of life doula course and seeing what areas cause there are so many that I really fit in but really realizing we have very little support of end of life here in Maine and given my vet assist background and my passions this feels like the perfect union. I'm getting pretty excited about all I've learned and the networking to come.
So I wanted to again remind you overnights are booking pretty solid through the summer. Weekends in the fall are going fast so as a one woman show I know it's annoying but if you need me gotta get those disco squirrels in a row and lock in those plans! Open overnights for: June 30th-3rd of July, July 28th-31st Aug 6th-13th, Aug 26th-29th, Sept 3rd-8th, Sept 16th-26th, Sept 30th- Oct 3rd, Oct 7th-9th, Oct 15th-18th, Oct 21st-24th, Oct 28th- 30th, November I'm open so far except Thanksgiving week, December booked Xmas till the end of the year as I always take of New Years and labor day weekend!
There is a week in Aug I'll be sitting in Turner for my besties so I'll take walks but no twice a day visits. Happy almost summer clients! I love my job and appreciate the trust and big relationships I have developed with you all. ❤️🐾
Pickle, Penny, Hutchy, Rey sploot, Maya, Pickle, Pippin, Ollie, Max, and look at that chick's feathers yellow but zebra wings?
❤️

20/05/2024

FYI RR's family- so many people don't seem to realize somebody almost always pays for convenience it's either on the business side or the payee side. Venmo business accounts take out money (I get 98 dollars of 100) paypal buisness takes money, and everyone wants a piece of the little guys pie. Credit card processing companies take a cut. There is literally a downside of almost every payment method I sometimes think we don't consider this moving through the world...I am guilty of it too being unprepared at a small buisness and using my card but I do try to be mindful of doing it. That being said, I am going to discontinue using PayPal at all, so my Venmo business account (), Zelle, cash or check are the ways to pay me.

Belle aka Crinkle Fry for attention.

11/05/2024

Hi RR's family,
Woo everyone get to see the gorgeous last night? They say still can see tonight possibly just less intense. A few things remember visits/walks have gone up as of the first my contract is all in effect now wooo!
I have filled in my overnights significantly so thanks for that. I am still definitely able to do visits for kitties and pups and walks for the oldies are always an option. I have been brainstorming a new service of post hospitalization/post surgery visits and how to structure as I know it'd be hard to leave them after but also have to work to pay those bills and with experienced eyes how I could offer that still brainstorming and anxious to take my class.
Just wanted to update the overnight availability so it's easily seen here we go! May- 13-17th, June 5th-7th, July 28th-Aug 2nd, Aug 5th-13th, Sept 3rd-8th, Sept 16-26, FYI every Oct weekend overnights are booked.

Happy allergy season I mean spring! Congratulations to all the graduates. Happy Mother's day to you all tomorrow. Have the greatest day! Thank you as always for letting me take care of your family. I am so so grateful!
Trixie says go to bed lady lol, the lights last night, Rems, Service dog Scouty, Belle and Halloween mouse, Dutchy, Axle and his arm wrap of love, Maxy, and My Maggie Maggs ❤️❤️

21/04/2024

Hi RR's Family,
I apologize for my prices still being a little hard to navigate based on my contract will try to straighten out things as we move forward but the short answer is overall visits are based on time of visit/when and overnights are based on number of animals.
I also want to say my overall intentions moving forward are to be intentional about what I feel is best for your pets and myself moving forward. Walks are not my passion. I love my time with the ones who just need a potty break and a snuggle but enrichment and stimulation and reenforcement of training is still not my strongest area. And some are just more happy on trails rather than a neighborhood sniff and that's ok. We are entirely lucky to have so many providers in all areas of pet care and I'm lucky to have networking connections with a few. I hope as things move forward to strengthen my niche and to make sure everyone is getting the best fit we can provide as a team.

I had a cancelation in May for a weekend 13th-20th of May is now open. Let me know if anyone wants it! Happy spring!

Hutchy affectionate before I'm even human yet in the morning. It's such a nice way to ease into my day.

14/04/2024

Hi RR's Family,
Full confession I am not tech savy! I muddle through but not tech savy at all lol So a lot of people have asked about my contract not being accessible after signing so I put it on my website for download for now so it's accessible. Plus I really needed to update the site new pics and such so thanks for the push! Happy Sunday! Suck up that sunshine I know I am.
The many antics of Luna Lady! She's hilarious.

12/04/2024

Hi RR's Family,
Holy April showers right? I'm about to make the call to sacrifice the May flowers cause I'm tired of the rain. Happy April school vacation week. So contracts are out prices are being raised for visits/walks, policies are going into place soon May 1st. The longer I do my job the better I'm getting at finding my niche and the better fitting clients. I am eternally grateful for my job and for my Riley's Rascals family without you guys I'd be nothing. I have also decided to take a class expanding some of my knowledge to see if offering an End of Life Pet Doula area of expertise is helpful. With all that being said we all know I've got a thing for those grey faces! So my silver fox brigade and you bet I very quickly corrected a person who called one of these boys an old man to he is definitely not he's a handsome silver fox!

Rems face said how I felt pretty darn clearly, Dutch with his rainy silver face times 2, back to the Rem dog and Maxy Max witj those soulful eyes don't let him fool you he is always on the look out for yum opportunities and today a kiss attack when I had to tie my shoes. How Wonderful Life is While You're in the World 🎶 love my mature pup brigade!

01/04/2024

So I just had a big cancelation for June if you are looking for June dates.
Here's Flufferbutt for smiles Already a diva! Talk to me when you gotta sing, film, walk and keep you safe lady 🤣🤣
❤️

25/03/2024

Hi RR's family,
I'm not home as I'm still on a sit but does anybody need heat/electricity? I'm unstuck so could get you into my apartment if needed. Crossing fingers we all have juice soon.

❤️

23/03/2024

Hi RR's family,
I hope everyone is staying safe and tucked in today. That being said it's a perfect day to review and sign my contract and if I haven't sent it it's cause I don't have your address.
Updates on overnights here's my availability for the next 6 months or so:
March- nothing
April-7-9th
May-6-7th
June-1st-6th, 10th-14th
July-8th-12th, 15th-20th, 28th-31st
Aug-5-13th, 26th-29th
Sept-3rd-7th, 16th-30th

I am really trying to stick to my weekends off this year too the set ones are April 27th-28th, May 4th-5th, June 8th-9th, July 13th-14th, Aug 3rd-4th, LABOR DAY weekend always, Oct 19th-20th.

Dutchy, Mister Roary, chickens, Trix, Max, Dutch, Dutch, Hens, Pickle ❤️

19/03/2024

Tongue out Tuesday from Belle and Pickle ❤️

17/03/2024

Hello RR's Family!
I'm finally sending out policies for clients to sign so if I do not have your email please send it along and obviously any questions. Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I am the luckiest to have all of you in my life! ☘️

Belle getting the scritches, Pickle trying to dry off, Beya the prettiest house tiger, Dutchy taking paw very seriously, the Rems, the Fluffers aka Trix, Hens in the sun, and Nellie the great!

❤️

23/02/2024

Hi RR's Family,
First of all hi we all hanging in there with February school vacation? What a crazy week and we're only half way through.
So policies are 98% done and will certainly change a lot of things but I'm hoping it will feel less wishy washy and my expectations and yours will be easier moving forward. They have been needed for a long time. That being said hopefully these big scheduling shifts will slow down a bit. As retainers are coming for sits and vacation visits. Will update my overnight availability till July right here right now.
March-11-15
April-4-9,
May 1-7, 14-17
June 2nd-7th, 10-14
July availability is open mostly after the 8th
Hutchy, Rems, Axle, Rey, Molly, Zipper, Dulce, Henry, Trix, and Hads ❤️❤️

25/01/2024

Looking ahead with Dulce here's currently when I'm available for overnights: Feb: 5-9th, 12th, 18th-20th
March: 4-8th, 11-15th April: 3rd-5th, 8th-10th, 29th- May 3rd June: 1st-9th, almost all of July, Aug: 5th-13th, 26th-29th

Just trying to fill in gaps with my established clients. I love my job and I'm so thankful for you!

I do want to discuss an uncomfortable subject: I usually discuss training is not my strong point and I very much dislike it. Puppies are not easy for me and I'll absolutely never get one. I joke but am pretty serious call me in 2 years after all the adolescence has been gone through. My very safety oriented brain and puppies is not a good match their incessant need to chew, jump, experience life in the fast lane makes my brain explode and never be calm I just see all the potential trouble, constantly and heaven forbid there be other animals around because I can't concentrate on anything but puppy tornado.
Some behavior challenges are easy for me to manage others are not. I am learning anxious, intelligent, driven personalities/breeds are not in my wheel house and luckily we have so many great training/adventure/enrichment oriented sitters around! Can't have a dog smarter than their sitter/walker 🤣. Give me all the medical care cases, the older ones and the ones with well established teams aka usually trainers, sitters, walkers. I want to set us all up for success and sometimes I am just not it. I care a lot, my vet assist brain is very helpful in some ways but in others the previous cases are ghosts who make unsafe situations feel worst case all the time. Outdoor kitties are on this list as well, I just can't take the possibilities I see in my brain happening on my watch. Again I want us all to be successful and sometimes I am just not the right caregiver for that situation.

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21/01/2024

Hi RR's family,
I just had a big Feb/March cancelation Feb 29th-March 8th so if you're looking for overnights act fast. We hanging in there this Jan that never ends? Hold on for the next curve ball!


❤️

Bugs, Tilly, Thumper, Dutch, Mango on my head, Joline, Trix, Odin, Bella, and Axle

29/12/2023

Hi RR's family,
So we all intact after all the stormy nonsense and Christmas chaos? I seem to be having a run if excitement on holidays Thanksgiving was a flooded basement, Xmas eve was a gas leak thank you Yarmouth Fire Department. I am very much looking forward to 2024 and hoping a little less chaos. So as a kind of load of info I'm going to kind of post my availability for the first half of 2024 as it stands right meow so there is some knowledge for you to book in a few more nights if needed/wanted. I'm grateful but this is also why I keep trying to pin all of you down to a plan asap before I book up or lose the money. I keep threatening policies but they really are coming so I protect myself. Holidays and school vacations continue to cause great amounts of chaos so those are soon going to be much more regulated. Sending you all peace, love, luck and fun in 2024! Forever grateful for you all.
January-3-4, 8-10, 16-17
Feb- 5-9 12-13, 18-19
March-6-8, 11-15
April- 3-5, 8-10, 19-20, 29-30
May- 1-3, 6-8
June- 11-14, 24-28

Maya snuggles, Mister Roary, Maggie, Luna, Luna, Beechnut, Audrey, Luna, and Coconut

❤️

19/12/2023

Hi RR's Family,
Anybody need anything? Yesterday was pawsitively crazy! I hope you're all safe, warm, and have access to all you need if not. Reach out ok? You're all family afterall but I claim the crazy aunt title so you'll need to find other roles 🤪 I'm here. Happy Howlidays too! Please be patient with me this weekend through the new year you guys got me hopping. I appreciate you guys so much and hope 2024 brings us all the good things!
Rems yesterday his ears were floating without his permission lol, Trix rocking that raincoat for my amusement but it does make her stand out on the road so that's how I justify it, Max ready to do ANYTHING for cookies, Arlo what a handsome lovable beast, Dutchy watching something, Dulce when carrots are life!, Henry must roll or it was not a successful walk lol, Molly and paw holding time, Maxy watching the kiddos.

❤️

12/12/2023

Just sharing what I love having been captured by an amazing photographer! My technology skills often fail me but I cannot go without posting some of the amazing branding pics she took. I give you.....the pittie circus aka Hutch (Hutchy, Hutcherino, Stinker), Maya (wild, feral, warm spot stealing MayaMaya), and Rey (ReyRey, wild woman, theif, hippo she's a fierce swimmer, she dances to her own beat, corn cob princess) ♥️♥️💜💜💙💙

18/11/2023

Hi RR's Family,
Happy Thanksgiving week! May we all find ourselves feeling grateful and have full bellys. As I get settled into my new apartment and look at my calendar. I do have some time in December for overnights open (18th-22nd) January (2nd-10th, 15th-18th) Feb (6th-9th, 12th-20th) feel free to ask about some of those nights I'm going to fill in my nights as much as possible to pay my new bills lol. My winter and early spring are filling in nicely so I encourage you all to ask as soon as possible.
A reminder that my policy is if it's slippery footing I am not doing a walk so please help me by sanding liberally and being mindful of that. And plowing is also required for walks or overnights no exceptions. I love my walks even in inclement weather but if I get injured no walks for me. Please leave me a towel as it gets snowy, icy so I can wipe off pups a little.
I hope our holiday season is bright and beautiful! I am always so grateful to have all of you in my life and your pets of course too. If you have Christmas time needs try to get those scheduled soon. Thank you for your trust and loyalty.

11/11/2023

Hi RR's family,
It happened and fast. Saw an apartment on Friday and will be moving in this weekend lol so this week as I adjust move and Turkey day nonsense starts to ramp up try to give me a little extra grace and hopefully after that I'll be a little less frazzled. The apartment is in Topsham so in the area.
Happy Fall saw a preview of that white stuff and I wasn't ready. But let's get ready cause it's coming. Keep that orange out cause it's certainly a statement, just that I want your critters safe lol
Happy Veterans Day to any of my clients who served and thank you for your service. If I can help any extra in the coming months always feel free to ask as I know holiday bustle is starting and I just love my job and your critters. Thank you for letting me embrace my crazy aunt role to your pets! You will never know how much I value your trust and support!

Hen Hens looking surprised but he really was giving me the eyes for that treat in my hand, Dulce sniffing through the snow, that is Patrick Benetar he and his coop mate David Lee Roth were on an adventure I'm adding herding rock stars to my resume, Arlo doing his best how you doin', Dulce in her perfect holiday card pic, Marty taking a bath, Mister Roary, and Chava's 2 dating app photos, split by Jasper the pup with the most unique face mask.

26/10/2023

As a born and raised Mainer who grew up with L/A being where we went out to eat, went grocery shopping ect I am gutted to the core. So many connections to that area was just at Schemengees with my friends, my ex bfs daughter used to work at Sparetime the very small tight knit so connected area I love so much is going to need all the love and care we can muster. My thoughts are with the victims, the families, the first responders, the hospital staffs working so hard and the law enforcement officers trying to catch the person/s responsible while trying to process what they are seeing. I will be going about my walks as normal but with a heavy heart and thinking of my friends and community if I can help or hug you extra reach out I am here. Sending you love and above all safety. ❤️ Also made a blood donation appointment if you are eligible get on it. It's the least we can do.

23/10/2023

Hi RR's family,
Happy spooky season! A few reminders please leave me a towel or 2 somewhere so much rain and mud I had supremely hoped for the wet yuck to be over but alas no luck. Also it's hunting season while my hair and bright clothes and orange is in my rotation of clothes you should be putting orange on your pups especially in more wooded areas it doesn't hurt to be cautious ironic for me to say this but now it doesn't hurt my coolness factor lol
Also a reminder plowing, shoveling and sand are essential to keeping your Mindy safe and less sweary so please make sure you are preparing for that.

One more thing I acknowledge that you all have moving parts when trying to plan vacations and book me for overnights but because there are so few overnight sitters I am booking up over half of all months between now and at least March are booked. Please know I hate saying no I'm already booked especially if the plan B's and C's aren't particularly comfy for your pups. I also hate that I have to plan like 8 months in advance for any personal things too so the preparation or miss out hurts me too but the world can't handle more of me out there so no cloning allowed. 😉
I love and value your trust and loyalty so much. I love being a part of letting you live your best lives while your pets are cuddled and loved on. Happy Halloween in a week keep all the pets safe and set them up for success on a stressful day. 😊

Beya wrapped up while playing with string, me and the Tills books and newfie snuggs, Sierra on her festive towel in her festive house, Thumber the bun bun, Nells enjoying some love, Maxy my handsome salt and pepper walk
❤️

18/10/2023

One of my awesome clients needs your help! Sochi is missing. Can you keep your eyes open for him?