Justine and her “pet loving family of five” from Palmyra WA, provide a home from home for pets of all shapes and sizes. Their Kelpie x Corgi Ben loves to welcome new guests and run around on the beach and in the nearby park with them! We caught up with Justine to find out more about her life as a Pet Sitter.
Why do you love being a Mad Paws sitter?
I love that we have a different personality come and stay every time, one week you can have a shy timid little one, the next can be the biggest and boisterous all full of life. It makes it interesting getting to know all the little quirks.
What’s your favourite thing to do with your furry clients?
We love to spend time in the park watching them have fun with our dog Ben. My girls like to come along on scooters and skateboards. Equally as much, we love the down time when we get to have cuddles.
What was the first pet you ever owned? Do you have your own pets now?
When I was younger, my Mum had a dog called Tessa, she was the grumpiest dog, every time you would walk past her bed she would just growl for no reason. I now have 5 year old Ben, a Kelpie x Corgi. Ben was a rescue dog and came with a lot of anxiety, it took us months to get him to leave the house. He would just lay down on his back in the middle of the road. He’s changed a lot in the 3 years we have had him but he will still quite often leave us in the park and go home if he hears a ball bouncing. Ben’s favourite place is lying in the shower.
Do you have any particularly memorable furry guests?
Malika the whippet is just gorgeous, you can be sat eating your meal at the table and she just springs up onto the table out of nowhere. Also Rocco the little old man, Rocco is a Staffy around 18 years old, he plods around the house and garden showing his age but get him in the park and he will run like mad trying to keep up with Ben.
If your furry guests could talk, what one question would you ask them at a meet and greet?
I would love to ask them what would make them feel happy and relaxed and how we can help hem to settle in. It must be a bit daunting just being left with a stranger.
What’s your one top tip for new pet sitters?
Communication is key, reply to enquiries and questions as soon as you can, I found if you have a delay, people havevoften moved on to another sitter. It can be hard sometimes if you’re working or out. Also getting as much info on the pet you’re looking after so there are no surprises after the owners have gone.
