Hi From A New Sitter In VA. USA

[RobinG]

Hi everyone and glad to virtually meet you. I’m Robin and home base is Williamsburg, VA.

I used to pet sit a lot in college, so excited to see how this goes to combine it with some travel. My cats passed away in 2021, so I also figure this is a way I can get my animal fixes without go through the heartbreak again for a while. I’ll lavish my love on someone else’s baby.

I’ll look through the forum but if anyone has any tips for a newbie to get a first sit, please let me know.

[Samox24]

Hello @RobinG and a warm welcome to the Community Forum

I can completely understand that, our dogs have since passed and this is a great way to get our animal fix without going through all the heartbreak, and of course combine it with our love of travel!

Whereabouts will you be hoping to travel to and house sit?

For reference if you are a member, once your listing is completed you can also add your TrustedHousesitters profile on to your Forum profile by following the attached link, should you wish. This will then enable others to offer you helpful advice and feedback.

How to add a listing or profile link to your FORUM profile

It’s important to firstly understand that your FORUM PROFILE is different to the profile you have as a member on the main TrustedHousesitters’ website. We do not allow links to profiles or listings in forum topics or posts (see guidelines here), but you can add the link of your TrustedHousesitter website profile or house sit listing in your FORUM PROFILE. The process is slightly different for owners and sitters. Note - We would recommend you do this on the desktop version as it’s easier to ma…

If you are unsure how to do this, or if you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to ask, we are all more than happy to help.

I have attached a thread you should find helpful

Securing our first few sits

Hello all, thanks for being here. As a newbie from Canada we appreciate your feed back. We plan to be in Italy the spring of 2023 with family for 6 weeks but then stay on for a few more months in the summer pet sitting. Our question is "Should we be applying for multiple jobs for the same time spot? or “Should we apply to one and wait to see if we get a response and then move on?” Also if someone has said that they are interested but don’t want to confirm because they may have to change the dat…

Also, remember you can use the spyglass symbol at the top of the page next to the TrustedHousesitters logo and search for any questions that you may have as they have most likely already been answered on here and of course if not then please just ask!

[Peg]

@RobinG - best advice to get your first sit is to get a local sit, there are several homes in Williamsburg that are on THS. When you apply offer to come by or meet them for coffee to get to know each other. Second advice is write a good application, tell them why you want to sit in their area and if you are the type of sitter that will be spending a good amoutn of time in their home, let them know. It is a comfort to most HOs to know there pets will not be left alone all day. Good luck!

[69CandC]

Hello RobinG

I know preciesly what you mean. I had to out my beautiful horse down before moving to the UK from Denmark and I miss her so much. I actually never want to own another horse in my life.

Oh, this photo is from when I was training her from scratch. I am not a fan of the term breaking a horse in. I’d never break a horse.

Anyway, I trust you will find something to work well for you

[Izzie8]

Hi Robin,
We’re new too. Doing our first sit in May, while we’re traveling in England. We’re in Virginia too, just up the road from you in Kilmarnock. Welcome to the club! Maybe we can connect sometime later this summer.
Take care,
Eileen

[Carla]

@69CandC Thank you for sharing your wonderful photo of your horse. She was very beautiful
Fellow previous equine pet parent here and we had to do the same for one of our horses and my heart dog a few years ago, so know how difficult it is with any pet. I am sure you have some amazing memories of her and how lovely that you got to train her from scratch, so very rewarding.

[69CandC]

Hi @Carla

Thank you for your lovely words.
I have some briliant memories of me and her alone riding across country, and at one point we were thundering up a slope and she wanted to continue straight on and I wanted to turn left… Result, we jumped a boulder at the corner of a field. We DID fly briefly. She was so magnificent, she made absolutely sure I stayed firmly put in my showjumping saddle

[RobinG]

For sure, Ellen! I’m kind of stuck in Williamsburg for June and the first part of July so if you head up this way, give me a holler. Williamsburg is a great place to visit: Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown are both worth the visit!

[RobinG]

She is beautiful! I grew up with horses and they are the most amazing animals and make such good friends.

Loosing your animal is the hardest thing. I hope I get brave enough again some day but when my cat Abelard passed, it left a big hole in my heart. Miss my buddy a lot!

[RobinG]

Great advice, @Peg. Working on getting my first few sits in the area—and I will check out Williamsburg!

[RobinG]

Thanks @Samox24. I was able to connect my profile with your wonderful directions.

[JEHFromVA]

Hi Robin - I am in Chesterfield VA so if you are coming to the Richmond area anytime, shoot me a DM.

[Samox24]

@RobinG you are very welcome

[69CandC]

I have had other cats that I had to let go of one way or another… the one that sticks the most in my mind is Philou. He was black to and named after a French sweetheart I had for a while in my 20’s - he was a one in a billion.

Yes to horses being amazing animals and great friends.