looks horrendous 
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Christmas at the seaside ? Yes please! Downturn in the weather, RAIN in Spain? Locals are horrified! Apparently the coldest Christmas since 2010!
Stiff upper lip, I’m British, I remind myself.
The reactive dog loves the empty dog park, and quiet pavement walks. He’s a rescue with scavenger habits so no outdoor cafe floors to Hoover up! I’ve bought him a ball so he carries that on our walks .. game changer ! No barking at strangers !
Loving my quiet Christmas! Home cooking in a slow cooker with timer built in..
Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow! Like in Madrid and Mallorca!
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We’re in Tuscany on a cat sit for a change. Unfortunately our feline charge suffered a bad allergic reaction one day prior to our arrival but thankfully
with our love and care he’s greatly improving.
Happy holidays to all xx
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Had such a lovely week sitting in Ronda with a Big Love, Berta! A Beautiful Bull Mastiff!
Hoping to go back if our stars align. Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas just now and got back this Christmas Cracker!
Oh my heart que guapetona ! (What a big Beauty! )
Caption : can we chuck the tree now?
No we have to wait till he takes masses of photos first!
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That’s great news about the second sit!
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I love DACHSHUNDS, not so keen on Christmas Jumpers, on humans or on animals. In fact I am not keen on Christmas at all, hence I am on my 3rd Christmas sit in a row, with 4th one already lined up for next year.
I know.. Bah Humbug.
Roll on New Year, a more honest celebration, no pretending what it’s all about. Just a calendar date.
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We are giving someone else that kind of family Christmas by being with animals. It’s a lovely thing to do. This owner Hasnt as many creatures as yours but it’s still a lot for cattery and kennel bills: 3 weeks!
We are retired and can get to see family and friends at other times when it’s easier and maybe cheaper too.
I do think the real Meaning of Christmas has been hijacked and distorted , like so much else by commercialism..
We like to keep it simple and low cost!
Sometimes I think I’d like to give all the family presents .. then I remember we are many and the feeling passes!
Four sweet kitties here in Jacksonville through the New Year! Thankful, this is a great place to be this time of year.
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@SeniorSitter1 Not sure where home is, but in the US, the ‘traditional’ Jewish family Christmas meal is at a Chinese restaurant - the only restaurants that were open on Christmas day. 
The data is in: For many in the Northeast, Christmas isn’t Christmas without Chinese food – The Forward
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Have you seen any snow?
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Exactly! Had many of those over the years. Not home but at a sit a few hours away. My friend made homemade latkes and put together a salad. I brought chopped liver from a Jewish deli from home and transported in a cooler and ice and wine to wash it down. Her son made a brisket. Apple strudel for desert and we ate it for a late lunch and just back at the sit.
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I’m six months into a retired nomad adventure within Australia, and it’s becoming a full time gig. I’m on a 7 week Xmas sit that was actually my first booking when I left my crazy career. It’s with just one little moggie- Bosco- and while he’s little, he’s probably my most stressful sit. He is allowed outside during daylight hours, and you know the drill. Owners assure u that “little Harry always comes in when u call”! Um, maybe for u, but this boy has a whole other attitude to this strange woman. I know it’s unlikely he could get lost, but he could come to harm, so until he’s safely in each night I’m on edge.
So my tactic is simple. I leave every door open all day, and every time he meanders in, even just to chase a fly, I hit him with the treats and fall over him with stroking and praise. Those little tubes r like crack for cats, but it’s working. He’s becoming my BFF, and he even snuggles with me (something owners said he didn’t do?)
And I’m simply in love with him and putty in his paws. This is my dream life.
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Cats are such a worry at times! I looked after my sister in law’s cats in Oxford. She’d just moved to a new area.. no cat flap fitted in those days.. Two cats; one adult and with a freedom of movement pass, other unoperated on young kitten with bags of attitude and curiosity.
Yes of course the kitten got out! So I left the door open and pretended I wasn’t fussed. It was cold and unpleasant out side, the kitten hesitated.. I shut the door. A little while later I opened it and bore a gift of food.. yep he rushed back in! GAME OVER!
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In Hastings, England for two shy cats. This is my 2nd UK sit since arriving in Birmingham Oct 15. I shipped my minivan in a container from Toronto, Canada. I am wandering around UK and Europe for a year or so. VanLife + House Sitting in Retirement. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026!
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Sadly no Christmas sit first time in years. We were holding out for Barcelona but couldn’t get right dates so have booked a hotel, sxxx law there were 3/4 sits advertised last week. It’s all about holding your nerve , have tickets for various events in Barcelona and will then take up residence in family house further south and hope for a sit somewhere later in the month. Just booked a 3 week plus sit in Ireland for September so very happy with that. Wishing you all great sits x
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that’s a pretty cool way to travel
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Hi, I’m on my first ever THS sit. 3 cats (one’s a senior), 2 gerbils (in a glass tank), 1 blue-tongued skink (in a different glass tank). Here in Portland over Christmas there are grey skies with occasional rain, and a short sun break each day to keep people sane.
The mom of my host family texted me to say her younger child still believed in Santa and would I please write out a note to put under their tree? She ordered a small Lego set from Target, delivered to the door. Here’s the note:
They come home tonight and I’m excited to have been part of a Christmas miracle!
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