18 OCT 2017: We’ve become big supporters of the new “ Sharing economy,” though not all of it has worked for us. Love home swap, for instance wasn’t convenient for our lifestyle. Airbnb worked though, and we’ve rented airbnb’s all over the world, and rented our home to people from as far away as Singapore, and as close as Oakville. It has been a huge success, and we brag about being “super hosts.” We’ve used Uber, with mostly excellent results and now we’re trying Trusted House Sitters.

“Sam, you and Tom would be terrific at taking care of people’s houses and pets while they’re away.” said our dear friend Wendy.

“You could travel the world and have free accommodation, and pets to pat.”

And just where does one find this kind of job? Online of course.

And so we joined Trusted House Sitters International. It seemed to be the biggest, so that’s where we started.

It reminds me a bit of a dating site. There are literally hundreds of people, looking for sits as well as people looking for sitters. Staying with a kitten in Cancun in January may attract 30-50 interested applications, while I noticed that keeping a poodle company over Christmas in rural Welland had yet to attract any applicants.

Pet sitters need to become a member at a cost of $119. for the year. Then there is a three-step verification process, which includes global identity, with ID document cross-checks and criminal background checks.

It took a while to write our reasons for wanting to do this, and the reason why anyone would want us caring for their home and their precious pets.

You are responsible for getting there, and groceries once you get there. Sometimes the sit includes a car.

Once we were approved, we started to apply for sits. THS suggests you need reviews, even though you have reviews from dog sitting for friends and relatives who aren’t members. They suggest you first apply for short sits that are close to home.

We decided that we’d apply to care for older dogs, we have had lots of practice with elderly dogs… pills, and attitudes. We also applied for any golden retrievers who needed sitters, having had Goldens for more than 32 years.

Our first “no” was from an editor in New York City. He and his golden lived in a brownstone that looked like a movie set, and his daily walk would be in Central Park. But there were more than 40 applications and we didn’t make the cut.

I kept at it, and soon had a couple of golden retrievers in Peterborough who needed a sitter for a few days. “We were a good fit” said Janice the owner.

It was a fun four nights. Jayda and Lucie were really good company, walked beautifully on their leashes, and behaved just as we were told they would. It was a part of Peterborough we didn’t know, right beside the river, and with lovely dog walking trails. It was a pleasure, and we loved our 5-star review.

People looking for sitters have access to literally hundreds of applicants and can approach them as well. One day we had a request from a golden owner who lived on the shores of Lake Huron. “I think you and Tom would be a wonderful fit for us.” I agreed, but sadly we were busy, and couldn’t make the dates.

As house sitters we have access to a 24/7 vet phone line if we need it. That’s comforting, particularly in dealing with senior pets. There are of course several blogs, so that you can chat with other dog sitters.

Presently we’re sitting Bridgette, and Lola. Bridgette is a 13 year-old bulldog/cocker spaniel mix. “She is very timid and anxious around people she doesn’t know. Her hobbies include sleeping, lying in the sunshine and staring at people for long periods of time for unknown reasons.

Her sibling Lola is a 10 year old English bulldog. She loves people and is very comfortable with strangers. Her hobbies include snoring, belly rubs, being the centre of attention and following you around the house. Lola and Bridgette are very much ‘sisters’. Sometimes they love each other and sometimes they hate each other! They do have jealousy issues.” Lola and Tom had snoring competitions nightly!

We’re staying for 10 days in a charming 50’s bungalow in Fort Lauderdale, close to the beach, and downtown.

We’ve enjoyed living in a neighbourhood, and meeting the neighbours, giving us a whole different feel of the area. It’s been fascinating to watch FEMA cleaning up the enormous amount of branches and limbs that came down when Hurricane Irma hit. This area hasn’t been badly hit, but there is a lot of furniture useless from water damage out for pick up.

People wanting to have pet sitters, pay the same $119. yearly. I wish I’d know about this site years ago, but of course it wasn’t around then.

Peace of mind knowing you have capable people installed and of course being able to take a break from our own routine, would have made a big difference to our life.

The hosts are expected to leave good notes on responsibilities, on the pets and a clean and tidy house. Sitters are responsible for caring for the pets, and leaving the house the way they found it.