Frederick with Tino

(Click here for more photographs.)

Valerie’s sister asked if we would be interested in pet sitting for a friend of hers in Frederick, MD.  Even though it had been a while since we had done any pet sitting, we welcomed the opportunity.  Her friend has a small dog named Tino, that was a little more than one year old at the time.  He is a playful and very enjoyable little dog.

Tino

Looking after Tino gave us the opportunity to explore Frederick which is about 25 miles north of Germantown.  Although it was particularly hot during our time there, we were able to get out to see some of the town, like Carroll Creek Park which runs for more than a mile through the heart of downtown Frederick.

Sitting in Seattle

OK, see what I did there?  “Sitting in Seattle”?  Not Sleepless.  That would have been cheesy and, well inaccurate.

Anyway, so we are house and pet sitting in Seattle for 17 days.  First and foremost, we are looking after a 9 month old puppy, Mia.  She is a lively and adorable young dog that has been getting some very good training from her owners.  She’s very smart and has adapted to being with us very quickly.  Like all puppies, she is playful and inquisitive.  She loves to chase a laser pointer around the living room floor and insists that we give her that opportunity at least twice each day.  Also, she loves to eat ice.  Just crunches away at it like it was a favorite treat.

Mia on a run in the yard
Looking for the laser pointer
Mia in Seattle

We arrived into Seattle as a waypoint on a road trip that we began on May 30th that brought us up the coast of California and Oregon and as far north as Vancouver, BC.  The home is located in West Seattle which is convenient to the downtown and waterfront part of Seattle so we have had the opportunity to do a little sightseeing while here.  The weather has been nice with some very warm and sunny days.

Rancho Cucamonga With Simba

Over the Memorial Day weekend (May 22 through May 27, 2014) we had the opportunity to house sit in Rancho Cucamonga with a super nice cat named Simba.  Our hosts took a trip to the Portand, OR, area in order to attend a photography workshop and visit with family.

Simba

Simba

 

They adopted Simba from someone in their neighborhood who wasn’t providing very good care for him.  His new owners provide a very nice home for him and he seems very happy to be there.  He spends most of his day out visiting and exploring his territory.

We’ve enjoyed looking after Simba and having the opportunity to visit this part of San Bernardino County.

 

 

 

Return Engagement in Las Vegas

One of our first house sitting assignments was in Las Vegas two years ago.  We have recently returned to sit for the same couple.  When we were here for the first time they had a terrific dog named Carlos.  Unfortunately,  Carlos passed away late last year.  Since then they got two rescue dogs, two Australian Shepherds, now about 7 months old.  They are a male and female from the same litter, named Charlie and Charlotte.

Charlie and Charlotte

Charlie and Charlotte

We enjoyed getting to know the puppies, everything is a new experience for them.  The people we were sitting for are super nice and made us feel welcome once again in their home.  They have a lovely home with a pool in the Spring Valley section of Las Vegas about 2 or 3 miles west of the strip.

In Torrance With Yorkies and a Canary

We’re back house sitting in Torrance with three Yorkies and a Canary.  This is our third opportunity to house sit for these guys.  It’s a beautiful home with a large lovely back yard.  The Yorkies are great fun and enjoy hanging out in the yard, especially if you’re willing to throw one of their toys.

We’re here from March 15, 2014 until April 2, 2014.

Back in Hermosa With Hunter

Once again, we had the opportunity to house sit for Hunter in Hermosa Beach, CA.  We always enjoy our time here.  It’s a beautiful place near the beach with a super view of the ocean and a really fun dog with whom we get to spend time.  Like most dogs, Hunter enjoys taking a car ride.  He is a well behaved passenger, just enjoying the view and the fresh air.

 

Out for a ride

Out for a ride

We were here from August 23, 2013 until September 4, 2013, and we look forward to our next opportunity to house sit for Hunter.

Sitting in Torrance, CA

For two weeks we’re here in Torrance, CA, house and pet sitting with three Yorkies and a lovely little song bird.  It’s a very comfortable home at the very southern edge of Torrance on the border with Palos Verdes (or is it Rolling Hills?).  At any rate, the home is quite nice with a beautiful sactuary like back yard.

Needless to say, the Yorkies are very easy to care for and lots of fun.  We’re here from March 6 until March 21, 2013.

Sitting in Truckee, CA

We’re back in Truckee to house and pet sit for 2 weeks.  This time we’re looking after a very agreeable dog named Jack and a typically self sufficient cat named Foxy.

IMG_0182

The dog is a lab mix that readily accepted us in our role as his care takers.  He has very well defined feeding times and gently lets us know when the time comes.  Foxy has her own spots to hang out during the day so we rarely see her but she’s a strictly inside dweller during this time of year.

Here in Truckee we’re conveniently close to the Northstar ski resort.  We’ve never skied at Northstar and look forward to checking it out.  We have a little new snow today and according to the weather forecast we should be getting more over the next few days.

We’ll be here in Truckee until March 3 when we will be heading to Southern California to house sit for our friends who will be departing for a great trip to Costa Rica for 2 weeks.

Back in Hermosa Beach

We’re house sitting in Hermosa Beach.  We were here back in mid-March house sitting this same home.  The homeowners asked us to come back while they are away for 10 days.  So, we’ll be here until August 30.  This also give us a chance to visit again with their dog, Hunter.  He’s a super fun dog and we really enjoy walking and playing with him.  You can see from the photo below, he has his harness and leash in his mouth to let us know it’s time for a walk.

Hunter ready for a walk

Hunter ready for a walk

Here’s our article from the first time.

 

Featured on RetireEarlyLifestyle.com

I have followed Billy and Akaisha Kaderli on their website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com for quite some time.  They retired about 20 years ago at the age of 38 and have traveled extensively since.  One of the places that they have lived for extended periods of time is Lake Chapala, Mexico.  It’s one of the reasons I wanted to visit Chapala on our trip to Mexico this  summer.

While in Chapala, we were walking along the street one morning and Billy Kaderli walked past us.  I just caught a glimpse as he walked past but I was sure it was him once I turned and saw his Retire Early Lifestyle t-shirt.  I knew from their recent writing that they had been spending time in Guatemala so I was surprised to see him in Chapala.  We turned around and caught up with him when he stopped to sit on a bench to drink his coffee.

We introduced ourselves and talked for a bit.  I told him that I had been a follower for the past few years.  Subsequently, Billy and Akaisha asked if we would respond to a series of interview questions for an article on their website.  Through email we completed the interview in the following couple of weeks and now they have put the interview on their site.

Check it out.

http://retireearlylifestyle.com/kevin_valerie_interview.htm

Thanks Billy and Akaisha.  You continue to inspire.