Furry Fun

Even though I wrote in my last post about sometimes wanting to turn down my house/pet-sitting jobs, I really do enjoy them. I'm an animal-lover by nature, so getting paid to hang out with them is a pretty sweet deal, if I do say so myself. Inspired by my small group's study of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts*, I was determined to go into my spring break (aka Marathon Pet-Sitting Week) with a thankful heart, and I thought I'd carry that positive attitude over here to the blog. On that note:

1. The Love. You know how you walk through the door and your dog is there to greet you ecstatically? Imagine walking into multiple houses and being greeted by multiple animals multiple times a day. There are extra snuggles at night, more kisses than you can handle, and the amazing unconditional acceptance dogs always give. (The cats?  Not so much.) These fur babies are missing their owners, and they're starving for attention. That's where YOU come in, Hero Pet-Sitter!

2. The Exercise. Lots of four-legged friends means lots of energy, and what better way to work it off than with a stroll around the block? I think I've walked twice a day every day this week, and I've lost two pounds as a result of my higher-than-normal activity level. Happy dogs, happy waistline. It's a win-win situation!

3. The Relaxation. If it wasn't for my desperation to earn/save money, I probably would have spent my spring break visiting my parents in Florida. It would've no doubt been a blast, but chances are good that I'd have gone back to work just as (if not more) exhausted than when I left. But when I'm pet-sitting, I'm getting paid to sit with pets. So while I'm free to carry on as normal, I'm also expected to keep these furry friends company for at least part of the day. That means sitting around their houses reading, writing, playing with them, or watching TV. So even though I've been "working" this week, I also feel remarkably rested.

4. The Dress Code. Exercise and muddy paws don't exactly lend themselves to "business casual." In my experience, it's more like yoga pants and hoodies, and that is 100% A-OK with me! Dogs and cats don't care if you've showered, done your hair, or changed your shirt in the last three days.  It's incredibly freeing and a great reminder that it's the inside that counts!

5. The Flexibility. I pet-sit ALL THE TIME. Weekdays, weekends, holidays, overnight, and for two week stretches. Aside from going out of town myself, there's very little I can't do while working this job. I'm not tied down to a store or an office, and I can make my own hours. Getting to make money and continuing to live your life while doing it is priceless.

If you find yourself needing a little extra cash, or just want to help your pet-parent friends out, give house-sitting a try.  I can't guarantee that you won't come home with a pound of fur in your overnight bag, but I can promise you'll be relaxed, happy, and you never know, maybe even thinner!