Friends of Animals

Introduction: I'm not fond of having set prices because each family has their own set of needs, wants, and particulars for their animals. Thus, all prices are negotiable. I will "quote" you a fixed price because that is the only option on Thumbtack; however, please feel free to contact me to discuss your particular needs, and we can come up with a firm price. Basically, I have arrived with the following "negotiable" prices so I may reply to your requests: Price for cats: $20 Per day, feed, water, clean kitty box. Add $10/day for one hour playing, companion time. Add $5 per day if travel is more than 10 miles from me. Thank you! Price for dogs: $20 Per day for 1 dog. Add $5 each add'l dog. Includes feed, water, checking area for safety and/or picking up minor messes in home, let out in fenced yard to potty and play for a short time. Add $10/day for one hour playing, companion time, leashed walk to go potty for 1 dog -- add $5 for ea add'l dog. Add $5 per day if travel is more than 10 miles from me. Price for Horses: Price will be determined after speaking to owner. I have owned and loved Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horse, 1/2 Palomino/1/2 Morgan, Arabians, and a very ornery but loveable pony. Other: Goats, pig, sheep. I've had birds (I trained my $20 parakeet to say "I love you", "Hey good looking", her name "Ladybird", etc.). And I've even pet sat a very large and cantankerous Iguana! Thank you! _____________________________________________________ I have plenty of experience with dogs and cats. I have three grand dogs, a husky, a German Shepherd, and a shepherd mix. They are full-size dogs and I have cared for them for seven years. I had a Doberman and a shepherd mix for about 15 years on my farm in Dandridge. I trained the Doberman who was as sweet as could be. I ran what I called an unofficial rescue mission for cats for over 25 years. I had 22 strays that I had taken in, all spayed and neutered and up-to-date on all their meds. And I loved each and everyone of them. My philosophy is not dominating an animal but rather, to give the animal lots of love and affection to make them feel safe and secure. I have owned and loved Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horse, 1/2 Palomino/1/2 Morgan, Arabians, and one very ornery but loveable pony who dominated the entire barnyard! We have had goats (bottle fed one infant with whom I became Overly attached! :)) I fell in love with one of our feeder calves whom I tenderly called "Sweetie Pie", who would wait for me at the fence to kiss me each day (She would wrap her tongue around my arm and bat her eyelashes at me!). There has been only "black sheep" in the family, but my most awesome farm animal pet was Ms. Polly, the pig, although she had no idea she was merely a "pig". Given to us at a wee-squealing piglet-age, she fell in love with my husband who fed her MY leftovers, and would bat her eyelashes seductively and twitch her very plump behind at him. However, when I would make an appearance, she would actually turn her back on me, shunning the "other woman" in "her man's" life! She regularly escaped the barnyard only to be found sitting at the back door as if she were a domesticated dog, staring in the sliding glass doors longingly, hoping her boyfriend would come out and sit for a spell. She was the only pig in Jefferson County to die of old age! My best friend had an iguana and a very talented husband who could build anything. He constructed a enormous glass "aquarium", and the iguana grew to be over 5' long. Having very little personality for me to work with, and totally disinterested in anything I had to say, he was quite a challenge to care for. But, I soon learned he loved to be misted with water, falling into a trance allowing me to dive into this massive aquarium to feed and water him. I did move quickly, though, for this trance-like state always carried with it one green orb keeping a sharp and forbidding eye upon me! _____________________________________________ I make sure that I have a long visit with the pet before the owner leaves them in my care, so that my time with them will be positive. I will ask many questions about their disposition, their habits, their idea of fun, how they like to be loved on, their feeding preferences and any idiosyncrasies I should be aware of when walking their dog or any power structures that exist between several animals in one household. I am also available to stay for one to two hours just to play, for an extra fee. I also will clean any messes made by the animals while the owners are away. If any housekeeping is needed like gardens to be watered, I am available to do that and charge by the hour. I ran a 20-acre gentleman's farm and my first BS was in ornamental horticulture and landscape design/botany, so flowers, etc. are another love of mine! I also rehabilitated a 100-year old farmhouse, drew up plans and was the general contractor for an 800 sq. ft. pool house, gunnite pool and landscaping, thus my organizations skills are strong, and I love to keep a neat, clean house and surrounding areas. I guess you could call me a "jill" of all trades! Thank you for considering me to house sit, animal sit, and/or garden sit, it is my pleasure. I have some very good references from professors at UT College of Law and they are available upon request.