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Holly Days
As the door slams shut, I shrieked and lunged for it. I had just locked myself out of the house. Now, ordinarily this wouldn't be any big deal--except that it wasn't my house! I was a new pet sitter for House Calls and on foot a mile from my home in a strange neighborhood. As I trudged home, I thought about how Debbie Laughlin , and other seasoned pet sitters had shared a knowing look when they warned me of the mishaps that can occur when caring for peoples' homes and pets. And I remembered thinking that I wouldn't be careless and make mistakes. After all, how difficult could it be to feed cats 'n' dogs and water a lawn for a day or two? Well ... little did I know!
Since that long walk home I've had my share of less-than perfect situations, not all of which were my fault. Like when my regular customer called and said they're off for Tahoe, please feed beautiful big dog and outside kitty, key's under the mat, 'bye. Fine. But, key wasn't under the mat or anywhere near it! So I spent the weekend lobbing Gainsburger grenades over the fence to B.B. dog while the neighbors hung out their windows staring at me. (Just doin m' job, folks!) client returned. Oh, didn't I tell you? It's taped to the underside of the mat.
There have been keys that didn't fit the door locks (I forgot to test them!) And then there was the cat that completely and totally disappeared in a one-car garage for the duration of his owner's three-week, vacation only to magically reappear on their return. Aargh!
And, oh yes, I shouldn't forget the three Yorkies that chewed their way out of the kitchen and wreaked havoc throughout the house, and then holed up under and upstairs desk to greet me with snarls and fangs. Hi guys. Yorkies like to chew. One precious pup chewed up most of two Persian rugs and an Barca-lounger while his parents blissfully soaked up sun in Hawaii. Welcome back! About the chair.....
So, okay, there's more to this job than I thought. But I've been at it for two years, and I love it. The variety of people and pets is wonderful. I just have to keep reminding myself over and over, put the key in your pocket, put the key in your pocket..... H.S.
In the Eyes of the Beholder
When you allow me to visit your pets, I see each as an individual with special characteristics and needs; and this is how some of your pets apparently perceive me.
T.G. is certain my purse contains catnip and digs deeply as necessary to find it. To her, I am the Catnip Lady. Her companion, B.B.G, hopes I will turn my back long enough to steal some of T.G.'s food. He looks at me bleakly when I prohibit this. "Don't you understand how hollow I am inside?" To B.B.G., I am Food.
A.F. loves to walk. To ensure that I traveled where she wants, she holds the leash in her mouth and pulls me up the hill. If I am following properly, she frees the leash and I am allowed to walk at my normal pace. To A.F., I am someone with whom to share the pleasures of her favorite grassy field.
S.G. would rather play than eat. If I haven't visited for a while, he listens to me for a bit, then begins to wiggle his whole body in excitement before dashing off to find his ball. We play until he is tired. To S.G., I am the bounce in his balls.
C.M. looks forward to being released from his cage and allowed to stretch his wings. He speeds
around and around the family room, then perches on the hanging lamp to preen. While C.M. exercises, D.M., his feline housemates, sits on my lap for brushing and petting. D.M.'s loud purring causes C.M. to swoop to my shoulder and screech with jealousy in my ear. This is my command to shoo D.M. from my lap and walk about with him while smoothing his ruffled feathers. To C.M. and D.M., I am the Lady Who Should Be Twins.
Then there is S.F. who knows I am there solely to make a lap. She looks at me as if to say, "Why don't you stop that rushing around and sit down!" As soon as I go to the sofa she settles down on her human cushion as if she expects to spend all day. To S.M., I am a Warm Lap.
Poor D.T. H-P first knew me as the Hand with the Pills. Although she tried to look beyond that, it was hard to take medication twice a day. But we get along better now that I, with the help of her owner, have found a way to get the medication down without D.T. knowing. Now I am the Hand That Feels Good when it scratches her ears and face.
A.P. is sure I exist only to make her life miserable. Because of her mistaken belief, she hides behind the sofa making herself as small as possible. I find her in spite of her attempts to become invisible, and stroke her and tell her how lovely she is. A.P. hates to admit that Orgre's caressing heels good.
D.G. talks excitedly when I arrive and dances across the floor to the front door. No matter how eager he is to go out, D.G. politely waits until I have locked the door behind us, then trots off to make his rounds. I allow him to inspect potential cat-hiding places, dog messages and other intriguing
scents that have been left since he passed by. To D.G., I am a way to get out of the house and explore the world.
So, I am many things to our pets. They all know me when I come and thoroughly enjoy our visits. And now I have a question for you: Did you recognize YOUR pets? M.R.
To Submit Your Pet Story, Click the Link Below...
stories@housecalls4pet.com
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