How Roxie became a pet sitting ninja

Roxie, Chief Blogger

Contrary to what you might think, I wasn’t born a Chief Dog and major pet sitter. When Marcia rescued/adopted me, she also had another dog, Pasha the Greyhound. Pasha was a sweetheart, and even though we were very different kinds of dogs, he showed me the ropes and even let me sleep on his pouf.

Well, I was only here for around three months (people time) when Pasha died.   I missed my big buddy and I was sad.  My mom picked that up and she didn’t want to see me lonely.  She didn’t think she could handle owning another dog, so she did the next best thing.  She rented dog friends for me.  Well, she didn’t actually rent them, she just let them stay with us so I wouldn’t always be an only dog, and they would have a nice, safe and comfortable place to stay when their people were away.

And so HousePETality Pet Sitting was born.  And I became Chief Dog.  I really like it when other dogs come to stay, especially since they eventually go home and I get to have Marcia all to myself again.  Before Marcia adopted me, I was living in a family with 2 other dogs, my mom and my sister.  So I learned very well how to be with other dogs.  I learned how to share, how to be patient, and how to be a good pack citizen.   I welcome guest dogs into our pack and  I am an expert at making visitors feel at home.  But, truth be told, I’m also happy when they go home.  And so are they, of course.  We all have fun, and then it changes. Just like life.

Being Chief Dog is a big job.  But every dog needs a job, I think.  We need to feel like we have a place and a role in our families.  And that we are seen and appreciated for being special in some way.  Some dogs are companion dogs, others are walking companions, some are loyal guardians,  others are love pets and some are all of the above (yours truly is in that group!).

But beyond all that, I have a real working job.  Without me and my help, HousePETality wouldn’t be quite the great service that it is.   And I am well paid for my help.  I get to take two great walks a day– every single day.  My mom makes home prepared meals for me (none of that kibble stuff for this working girl!), and I get to feel important.  I lead the way when other dogs come to stay.  I show them how to behave when someone comes to the door.  How to respect each other’s space. How to walk nicely when we go to neat fields and paths.  That kind of thing.  I love my work.  And having other dogs visit makes me appreciate my alone time with Marcia all the more.

I enjoy some of the dogs who stay who stay with us more than others,  but I do a great job anyway. I’m a professional!