How? Why? How’s it work?
I am not talking repeat sitting. More cultural exchange and friendly spirited
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Yes, I am friends on Facebook with many previous hosts. I sometimes meet up with them if I’m in their area and I have even stayed with a previous host when I was passing through her country.
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Absolutely. As we often travel through the same area every now and then we will often drop in for coffee and they do the same when they are near us in Portugal.
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Yes we do. Its lovely to catch up on their news.
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No, i haven’t so far. One host reached out to ask me for sitting as they were in an emergency with a health issue in the family, and they had a pet I bonded with. I would have helped out if I could, but I was busy at work and couldn’t go there.
But I don’t do overnighters with hosts and such, and often have “cold” handovers also, so it is natural (and frankly how I like it, or have so far. I might ofc meet hosts in the future I click with on a personal level!).
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Occasionally - last weekend I texted some folks who were in the general area of flooding in NC. Not that I could do anything except show concern. Folks on the coast had no problems but folks inland had a river swell up their driveway - they were fine (as I expected knowing how high above the river the house was) but it did get me thinking about how I would have evacuated 4 cats (1 who didn’t get too frriendly) and 2 parrots if I’d been sitting.
And when I’m sitting animals who remind me of prior sit cares, I might send a picture of the new pet - for example I’ve sent my first parrot parent pics of other parrots I’ve sat (no identifying info or course). And I use the my postcard app to send pictures of critters (my postcard turns my pics into real mailed postcards and send the all over the world for about. US$2).
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This morning I texted a presale code for an upcoming Paul McCartney concert to a HO I have sat for a few times. She was happy. 
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I think it’s so cool that you sit parrots. I have one of my own & I’ve thought about setting up a search for “birb” sits, as not everyone is comfortable or experienced in handling them.
Also love the idea of that postcard app. I do keep in touch with many of my past hosts, & just bought a box of greeting cards for mailing. But how cool if I could send them a thank you postcard with a pic of their pet on it…thanks for sharing!
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Ha! I texted a presale code for Eagles/Sphere concerts to one of my previous hosts after they’d told me how jealous they were of my experience last March (best. Concert. EVER.)
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@GentleSitter, yes.
We’ve completed approx 50 housesits in perhaps a dozen countries. Some have been transactional. But a significant portion have generated a great rapport and ongoing communication on a periodic basis. While some connection has related to future housesits then equal amount on a simply personal level where there was a click of engagement and interest.
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Absolutely @GentleSitter. Just as an example, only this week I have had lunch with owners I sat for in 2019 and afternoon tea with owners from 2022, both in Lincolnshire (I’m Australian). It’s not the first time I have caught up with them either.
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Sometimes - depends mostly on their personality and the length of time I spent there!
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Yes we do. Just got a few pictures this afternoon from one of them enjoying their garden. Another texted me and asked if I’m up for a meetup, because I’m on holiday and they are close by.
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I’ve sat for over 30 sits and I’m friendly with about 4 or 5 owners. By that I mean I’d text them if I was in their area to see if they were free for a cuppa. This usually happens when I’ve sat for them more than a couple of times. I also like to get news of their pets from time to time. Some people I never hear from again once the sit is over.
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Yes, through WhatsApp. And by sending Christmas cards.
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One of our first sits was for a couple that lived an hour away from us. We were their first sitters with THS and they never had anyone else - they didn’t go on vacation unless we were available to sit. We became great friends and still get together for dinner regularly.
We’ve sat for a couple twice now that live three hours North of us and keep in touch. Also have done a sit in Dublin twice for the same homeowners and we always exchange a Christmas email to catch up.
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I have some friends that saw the Eagles at the Sphere and they said it was awesome! I definitely want to see a concert there.
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The first owners we sat for in the UK in 2022 are now very close friends. They will be friends for life. We stayed with them for a week last year and had the best time bonding over food and wine. I am doing a repeat sit for them in December and then staying with them for Christmas. You just know when you find your tribe! 
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It’s really indescribable; you should definitely take the opportunity if you get one. If possible, get seats in the 100/200 levels…floor seats are usually standing up, & we were told they can be a little dizzying.
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Yes, and THS is fantastic for this. I am in touch with many home owners and have made a particularly close friend with one in New Zealand. I’m in touch through Facebook and WhatsApp with many, have been for lunch with a couple and have been told by several owners that if I’m in the area and need a bed to let them know.
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