Riley's Rascals Pet Sitting

17/06/2025

Hi RR's family,
A reminder I have a contract now, and my expectations are written out, and in return, you know what to expect from me as well. I am slowly but surely enforcing them. The biggest changes from the "old" ways are retainers, and payment is due at the start of the job. I just need to have a little more reliability on when I'm going to receive payment. Budgeting is really hard with such tight numbers when you don't know when to expect payment.
Also, I haven't been enforcing that last-minute additions and/or weekend visits are $30 a visit starting in August. I'm enforcing that one, too, please.
Financial conversations are my least favorite but I'm starting to have them with you guys please extend a little grace as I awkwardly try to address harder things for me as I realize now I have to do it and not expect all of you are going to fully read and digest my contract but also know even if you are my original clients whom I absolutely adore it still applies to you. It is different so please bear with me as I navigate these conversations it has nothing to do with my love of your family or loyalty to my job it's trying to have clearer expectations on both sides in a very hard world to pay the bills. I absolutely appreciate the trust you put in me I also need a little trust in you too. ❤️

Penguin, Shadow, Penguin, pretty flowers, Spot/Dot, and Trixie Trix

❤️

12/06/2025

Hi RR's family,
Just doing my overnight availability updates as holy heck you guys fill me in promptly and enthusiastically. I am grateful! Looking at my calendar makes me smile and go wow every time! Thank you so much for letting me in your house and caring for the best family members! ❤️

July-7th-16th, 21st-29th
Aug-18th-30th
Sept-17th-19th
Oct-5th-8th, 13th-16th, 20th-23rd, 27th-30th
Nov-10th-21st
Dec-1st-25th



#

10/06/2025

It's Pet Rememberance Day! 🌈
Here's a few of my remberered babies! I recently was scrolling through my pics as my phone is yelling it's out of space and what a beautiful collection of all the love I've been so incredibly privileged to have. It had me crying and smiling all at once. So many beautiful souls not here anymore but man the big love that lives in my heart! What a lucky lady I am. I hope all of you take a moment to think about your previous souls you have been guardian of and remember them in all the ways that are unique to your bond! ❤️❤️
It was just the anniversary a year ago I started my End of Life/Hospice Palliative Care education and while my struggles of trying to utilize that education/knowledge to help are big. The possibilities are still pretty endless and my passions are still big. I hope some day I can help people and their pets have a smoother end of life/grief journey.

❤️

31/05/2025

Hi RR's family,
Wooo the summer time sunshine snuck up on us fast and I couldn't be more excited about it lol though rainy weekends are still a thing what the heck? Lol
Ok a few reminders: Might I suggest typing out a quick rundown of all the easy things about your house, pets ect but especially feeding amounts no matter how much I try I absolutely can not remember every animals food amount and even if I do more than likely I'll question myself and love to have a cheat sheet to double check myself. But I just got a new laptop too so I'm having to go back and search for wifi passwords and such too. Plus if you do it once it helps me and you can leave it out every time and just let me know of changes. It really makes me beam with happiness when there's a pet sitter binder with all the info.
Also a reminder that all things happen on my watch lol in the last 2 sits I had a lock keypad battery go dead, a chirping fire alarm it's no biggie and I'm getting better about solving these issues but it never hurts to have so many plan b's in place like people to help with house things, extra batteries, 2 ways to enter a house ect. But it's also a good idea to have a plan B for me. Remember as a one woman circus I can't say yes to everything and in an emergency it's only me or me so having 2 sitters is actually a great thing I recommend of Paws mostly because we already share a lot of clients, we talk a lot and I love that! I know it's not easy to navigate that extra but peace of mind for me and you is great if you can find another fit. Thank you as always for your trust. Happy summer time and hopefully the living is easy 🎶❤️
Overnights available:
June- 9th-12th, 15th-18th
July-2nd-3rd, OFF completely July 4th weekend, 7th-16th, 21st-29th
Aug-8th-30th
Sept- 3rd-9th, 17th-21st
Oct-5th-8th, 13th-16th, 20th-23rd, 27th-30th
Nov-3rd-21st
Dec-1st-25th

Dutchy, me and Trixie, Poppy, June, Carl, Juniper, Wuxi, Remy, and Belle

19/05/2025

❤️❤️ we are the luckiest!

The Vet’s Receipt That Broke Me (And Then Put Me Back Together)

I found it crumpled in my coat pocket today—the receipt from that day.
"Canine Wellness Visit – Final Comfort Care Package"
Amount: $225.00
Payment: A piece of my soul.

I remember how the vet’s pen hovered before signing it, her eyes shiny with the same unshed tears as mine. How absurd, that the cost of a lifetime of love could fit on thermal paper between a grocery list and a gas bill.

But then I flipped it over.

There, in smudged ink, was the note I hadn’t noticed before:

"Rusty’s last charge: Unlimited tail wags, 14 years of sunbeam naps, and one human heart (fully repaired upon return). Balance: $0.00."

Funny how grief hides receipts in pockets and love hides them in plain sight.

P.S. If you’ve ever paid with a piece of your heart, you’re richer than you know. 💔🐾

This one’s for the wallets that still rattle with old tags, and the pockets that ache from carrying love with no weight.

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17/05/2025

Yeeessss!!!! Score one for these kiddos grieving like they needed too!!! 🖤🖤

14/05/2025

Riley's Rascals Family,
Wowee there's been so many shifts in things lately. Something in the air? Yeah pollen 🤣🤣 I just walked by one of my nemesis plants aka lilacs and they are coming. FYI currently my most busy walk days are Thursdays so my infrequent mid day walk requests are most likely to be denied on Thursdays right now. I'm sorry.
I have a light overnight schedule in June so if you need out, there's your opening.

June-1st-2nd, 5th-18th
July 2nd-3rd, OFF 4th of July weekend 7th-16th, 21st-29th
Aug-8th-31st
Sept-1st-9th, 18th-20th
Oct-5th-8th, 13th-16th, 20th-23rd, 27th-30th
Nov-3rd-21st
Dec-1st-25th

Flea/tick prevention is very important. Remember all the shifts we gotta keep in mind as we navigate the change in seasons. All the hazards we know: stock up on storm/fireworks plans, check fences, make sure microchip info is up to date, put tags/info on collars, be mindful of pesticides, lawn care, and sunscreen pups can come into contact with.
High ho high ho it's off to walks I go.

Velcro Scouty and me for some cuteness.


❤️

09/05/2025

Definitely have to do the appropriately canine custom thing. 😁🤣😁 I love getting greeted with their prized possessions! ❤️❤️ lucky lady right here!

08/05/2025

There she is, my Tessie! Tessibull, Pitibull Princess, Poutabull, my girl! I lost her in June of 2019. She was a force, a wrecking ball, hilarious, diva, and big feelings filled. She protected her peeps, she had a circle of trust she was a zoomie filled, cuddle bug who needed to be tucked in. I wake up still missing her cuddled up in the crook of my legs. She often would be a bit fiesty as I would leave for work, no kisses goodbye, but would allow me to kiss her cornchip paws. When my ex was traveling, she never really rested when I was home she would have eaten anyone who didn't belong she stood watch! She had behavioral difficulties that were out of my depth, and once Riley was gone, wowee was I an absolute mess of a human being, but despite my inability to function, she loved me unconditionally and fierce When I left PA, that was undoubtedly the hardest part, but she had a deep deep connection with my ex-husband, and I felt that the best thing for her was to stay with him. I was able to be there when she got sick and wasn't getting better. I was able to hold her paw as she was taking her last breaths for that. I'm so thankful. She needed her Momma! My Pitibull Princess, you live on my skin and in my heart forever! Till we meet again Poutabull. 💙💛
If I'm hugging myself like I'm cold in the future, it's probably me just petting my pups. Grief is a funny and strange journey and my biggest hardest journeys now live on my skin and on my necklace but that's my way of honoring my journey I hope you can find ways to do that authenticly to your journeys. If I can help, just ask!

Thank you thank you for the perfect tribute to my girl!

06/05/2025

Hi RR's family,
Tomorrow is the big day I get my Tessibull tattoo to have my heart dogs on both sides of my body so if I'm petting my shoulders but it looks like I'm cold probably just petting my pups for comfort! 🖤
So as I've been reading and navigating my end of life and grieving knowledge I've been thinking about all the ways I can help one of them is bringing up some hard subjects like do you have a plan for your pets if something were to happen to you a accident or even a long hospitalization? One you've confirmed with paperwork and confirmation from those involved? What about how you would handle a terminal diagnosis of a pet with your S/O? Would you treat? How far will your budget reach? Do they have specific feelings about euthanasia? Do you?
Have you discussed your pets last best day? How you would want it to go if all things were in your favor/control? Who you'd want/need there? Special objects? Location? Do your spiritual beliefs need to be addressed? What about if it had to be in an emergency situation? Do you have any non negotiables? Do you have a plan for any kiddos involved? In a time sensitive/emotonal situation it's hard to navigate some of these important questions.
As a pet end of life doula I can help navigate some of these things. I can ask the hard question and be present with you as you try to muddle through in a time sensitive situation. I can recommend other professional resources we have soooo much more than we used too! I can help you complete some quality of life scales, I can call to arrange that appointment for you, I can hold your hand, hold your other pets paws through the loss, I can grab tissues, we can team up to make the journey as smooth, comforting and lovely as possible! What about after? What does grief look like to you? Do you want to plan a ceremony? Do you want to go to a pet loss group? Do you want to journal? How can I help?

My very cute clients lately: Robin eggs, Rem-onaid, Odin, Odi, the golden girls, Fluffers, Max, Sadie, Poppy, Huey

02/05/2025

This is why I love my job! Your animals accept me as family too. Pretty great to be the crazy aunt to so many furry friends. ❤️