Does anyone else experience this? Sometimes I’m on a pet sit in a really lovely apartment and I find myself not wanting to go out and explore the city all that much
Instead, I just want to enjoy the apartment, go grocery shopping, cook something nice, hang out on the couch and pretend I actually live there.
But then I feel a bit guilty because I keep thinking I should be making the most of my time and exploring as much as possible, especially when I’m somewhere new.
Does anyone else feel this way? Or do you usually try to get out and see as much as possible when you’re housesitting?
The view from the deck is spectacular where I’m currently pet sitting. I feel so content just staring out into the beautiful scene. However, there are so many places to explore that I have to get my butt up and out. Although, rainy days are not disappointing.
We quite often do sits where we’ll have one day in, and one day out (just local), just depends where we are, that’s the beauty of pet sitting.
Even when we venture out, we’re typically only out for 2-4 hours, even when we’re sitting cats.
Also, we probably only have 2 evenings out during any given week too, because I’d rather do things during daylight hours, and just relax on an evening with the pets we’re caring for.
The only exception would be is if we have really great entertainment on an evening locally, but if it’s just us going out to have a meal, I’d rather eat before it gets dark.
Absolutely! I do feel compelled to go off exploring, but if it’s miserable weather it’s great to just curl up with a good book and the pets. At home, there’s always a long list of things that need attention, whereas on a sit, as long as the animals are fed, walked, and happy, you’re relatively free to enjoy guilt-free relaxation.
We have two regular house sits where the gardens, spectacular vistas and abundant wildlife surpass everything else around, including well-known paid-entry gardens, restaurants and pubs.
From enjoying breakfast on the deck with breathtaking views and wildlife all around us to watching the sun set in the evening, it’s hard to beat the beauty, peace and tranquillity of our own little pieces of paradise. Whenever we do venture out, we soon find ourselves heading back, as nothing quite compares!
Well I try to do both. I’m here for a week and I’ve got maps to help me with ideas for time away. The pets can be left for 6 hours! I’d not be away that long but it’s a remote spot so I try not to repeat walks and check apps on local walks. I’ve got a very willing companion ! A working Cocker Spaniel is pushing me to my energetic limits. At night I have a massive tv to watch stuff and I’m certainly ready to chill by then. The house has three patios; one on each floor so I can follow the sun around without going far. There are great views too. I’m here a week so I have some caves to explore and lots of routes with the dogs on retractable leads. This is a first for the Home Owners so I’m making sure they are given lots of photos and details of my care of cat, dogs and plants. This place is like the tardis. It looks like a small terrace but it goes way back and up two floors. It used to be a casa rural but is a private home. Another example where my THS calling card has opened up a unique opportunity. The owners aren’t members but they may decide to join after this week. So no review.
I hope to be back here for sure, but just in case, I’m getting out in great weather and having siestas to recharge. It’s cold at night so tracksuit bottoms and a woolly hat !
I’m glad I brought my own food before arrival as it’s remote and there’s a long weekend of public holidays too so no shops open! Friday was Valencia day and Monday is Spain’s National Day. In Madrid, where I live, there are military displays and a parachute jump to land at the King’s feet!
Great weather for everyone to enjoy, whatever their plans. Viva España!
I do whatever I feel like at any given time, whether it’s being a couch potato and/or seeing stuff. Of course, you need to be mindful of feeding, walking, medication, play, depending on the pets’ schedules.
With dogs that need more exercise than others, it’s good motivation to get out. With cats, I’m more likely to tip into my couch potato mode.
I prefer dogs who can ride cars with comfort, because then I’m more likely to go out and see stuff with them.
Thanks to sitting, I now ADORE cats, so I especially love cuddly ones. They can sit on me, snuggle or whatever for endless hours, as far as I’m concerned. I love snuggle dogs, too, but I have one of my own and have no cats.
I had a lovely time with two rabbits in Oxford. They were hand fed breakfast and dinner. Very soothing and enriching experience. We totally bonded. Owners were worried they would be snubbed on their return. Ha ha!
Like you, the pet sit experience has made me appreciate other pets other than dogs- although they will always be my..
We suspect that this may be particularly relevant for full-time sitters.
Sometimes we enjoy property, pets and locale so settle in to enjoy simple pleasures.
Sometimes we have real-life tasks that need execution - whiles ago a pet parent asked us about our plans to explore their city and was surprised when we noted that we expected to spend time at their property, to prepare and to file our personal tax returns .
After nearly 15 years of living on the road, we’ve learnt that we don’t have to be out exploring every day to enjoy a place. Sometimes we’re keen to get out and see what’s around us, and other times we’re perfectly happy just settling in and enjoying the home and the pets.
That’s one of the things we love about house sitting. We get to experience places as somewhere to live for a while, rather than just somewhere to visit. We can cook a nice meal, enjoy the comforts of a lovely home and spend time with the pets without feeling we should be out doing something.
We love exploring when the mood takes us, but we’re just as happy having a quiet day at home. There’s no sightseeing checklist to tick off and no guilt about staying in. The sights will still be there tomorrow!
Oddly, this is exactly how I feel about the house we bought last may….I’ve only done one pet sit since then, and don’t see any others that’d lure me away from the view, the decks, the wildlife, the hikes, the architecture and interior designs, my dog, and my partner… I’m ruined for petsitting, I fear…. Except, of course, for swim vacations in the tropics, there’s always that. What a happy problem, so lucky. Must be part of being older, this contentment feeling.
That sense of contentment at home is amazing. I enjoy mixing it with travel/sitting.
I used to think I’d be a good nomad, but I was much younger and frankly couldn’t afford properties anywhere as nice as I can now. Now, there’s no chance I’d give up the contentment and coziness of home. Even when I go away for a few weeks, I miss it. I feel super lucky about that.
Absolutely @lalalein94! I do a little exploring but am very content to relax on a sit with beautiful gardens, great view or comfortable home and just chill with a book. My exploring might just be walking in the surrounding countryside or visiting the local cafe as I don’t often sit in cities.
Congratulations on your house purchase! I was lucky to have bought my dream house that sounds like yours. Since sold to move to a retirement community. It had multiple decks, a sunset to die for, water views and wildlife galore while still being in a suburb. Loved watching the raccoons wash their hands in my swimming pool at night. Enjoy every moment. I was also content to stay home , sit on one of the balconies and enjoy all around me.
I tend to travel slowly and book longer sits that are at least 3-4 weeks, so thankfully it leaves time for a mix of exploring and relaxing. I’m currently sitting with two sweet cats out in the suburbs after a monthlong downtown city sit where I was out every other night (and sometimes day!) at galleries, shops, markets, art classes and meetups. I don’t drive and everything is at least 20 minutes away by rideshare, honestly both me and my wallet are relieved, haha. I’ve stocked up on groceries and am grateful for some downtime to catchup on my reading, sitting out on the deck and watching the leaves change, and enjoying the brand new hot tub!
I’m currently on a sit in a stunning area caring for three horses and two dogs.
While I went on a long hike this a.m. and , of habit, MUST go to the gym at least every other day, it is sheer heck (LOL the h-e-double hockey sticks word isn’t allowed here) forcing myself away from just sitting and watching the ponies, tossing toys to the dogs and humming with joy in the lovely backyard (which is an understatement).
There is a highly recommended restaurant 5 minutes WALK from here …and I can’t even get myself to that !
Lots of people pay good money to go to meditation retreats and such, sometimes not even saying a single word during the whole time. Why? Because it’s restorative, cleansing, enlightening, etc.
There’s no reason people can’t do other forms of that, such as decompressing during sits, cocooning at home, etc.
Personally, I feel no guilt for spending time as I enjoy and don’t think anyone else should, unless you’ve obligated yourself somehow and are leaving others hanging or are harming others.
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