Not long ago there appeared in my feed an online ad for the book International Pet Sitting by Amy McCune. The book's premise: a person can earn money working as a pet and house sitter while living in someone else's overseas home.
Those who consider themselves international may find the prospect of traveling around the world taking care of other people's pets enticing. A gypsy's motto: any excuse to travel, every means possible!
After digesting the book -- a quick, entertaining and enlightening read -- I handed it down to my 15-year-old dog sitter, who told me she had aspirations of possibly making that her career. She loves animals and could see herself working full time taking care of other people's pets.
The tales of trials experienced by the author -- including fixing foreign water faucets and managing unexpected trips to non- English-speaking veterinarians -- provide valuable information for a novice pet/house sitter (like mine).
Recently, a miniseries about the occupation came to Netflix. In "Man vs. Bee," Rowan Atkinson gets a job working for a wealthy couple with a dog. From the instant he walks through his new employers' door, mishap after mishap take place, all starting with a bee that won't stop pestering him.
Mr. Bean's problems are worst-case scenarios created for comedy. However, I recall the broken lamp in my own living room, destroyed portions of fence, devoured flip-flops, my dog's indigestion (from eating trash left out) and high heating bill incurred during my dog sitter's most recent (but never again) stint. McCune's book is a fruitful follow-up to a brief yet stern lecture regarding disregarding instructions. (And not allowing any other dogs in my house when on duty!)
As one can imagine, taking care of other people's houses and watching over their animals present a set of challenges. But my friend Ellen Metrick -- a poet, writer, teacher, self-proclaimed freelance creative and now real-life international pet sitter -- seems to take obstacles in her newest career in stride.
"The biggest challenge is fitting my schedule to what the pet owners need," Ellen says. "I have learned to wait until I have a job before purchasing my plane tickets!" Getting absolute confirmation on future housesitting dates before booking her own travel has become her policy. Fortunately, in case something does happen at the last minute, work as a freelance creative allows Ellen to be flexible.
What does a freelance creative do, you might ask? Freelance creative writers generate content for magazines, newspapers, blogs, ads and other types of print and digital media, getting paid for their words. Ellen serves as reporter and editor for a press website and newspaper in southwest Colorado where she resides.
How does a writer like Ellen get started in house sitting? It became a matter of comfort and convenience.
"My daughter is in NYC, and since her place is small, and I can't really stay with her unless I sleep on the kitchen floor, which I have (it's exactly the width and length of the yoga mat I sleep on). I had to find other options for free space.
"I don't remember how I came across pet sitting websites, but after lots of research, I started setting up profiles on some of them and trying for work."
Able to choose the jobs she wants, Ellen matches housesitting assignments to wherever she is staying -- or wants to stay. At the time of this writing, Ellen situated herself within a short distance of her daughter's home and university, working with four felines.
"This job gives me lots of cat love! I've never lived with four cats before, and it's so sweet to come into the apartment and be welcomed by them. I love animals, so this job puts me in touch with lots of them!"
Pet sitting not only provides Ellen with free lodging and adoration from the animals she spends days and nights with, it can be fulfilling in other ways. She enjoys meeting pet owners from around the world.
"So far, the folks I meet are all good people -- welcoming, warm, connective and interesting!"
What's next for Ellen? Soon she will be traveling to Iceland for a writing project. There, she will get to know some Icelandic cats, dogs and horses.
"Oh, and people" she laughs.
Interested in domestic or international pet sitting? Below are three websites (suggested by Ellen) for getting started in the business.
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