House Sitting as a Lifestyle Choice

Frank and Susan with students

We registered with Housecarers in October 2009 and changed our six-year lifestyle as English second-language-teachers to apartment managers the following year and then to full-time house sitters in 2015.

We brought our bulky house items to the auction and wrapped a good majority of our personal possessions in colourful paper and gave them away as gifts to family, friends and sometimes complete strangers.

Sent to the auction

All of our possessions in totes

 We packed the rest of our things into portable totes, handed in our final notice to our apartment property manager and took on our first house sitting gig in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Our lifestyle now consists of living full time in our recreational vehicle, which we’ve named Big White. We haul our Ural sidecar motorbike behind the converted bus and make our way from one house sitting adventure to another. 

Our sleeping quarters in Big White

We take our time in preparing for every new house sitting contract by familiarizing ourselves with the location and the animals we have been invited to care for. We even have a personal collection of tools to help us tend to the animals, like a cat brush and a sturdy pooper-scooper.

We love that homeowners trust us with their precious animals and property. We take our jobs seriously and adhere to the rules set out for us in writing and what we pick up over several face to face or phone interviews. We are now collecting a list of questions we ask the homeowners. We consider house sitting a fabulous career choice for us at this time in our lives.

Two Parrots Talking

George with Rose in background

Meet Rose and George, two spectacular African Gray parrots. These stunning talkers are, apparently, very rare because of their capacity to mimic thousands of sounds, including “I love you.” The joke between Frank and me is that they express the phrase more than we do.

It is our great pleasure to be sitting these two lovelies at this current house sitting engagement.

This morning, Rose and George are chirping, beak cracking, making clicking sounds, spitting, growling and talking.

“What’s your problem?”

“Want an almond.”

“Yummy. Yummy.” 

Sweet Rose

Their owners have housed them in a luxurious large aviary. It is set up in a bright corner of the living room and is filled with climbing branches of various lengths and thickness, a water dish and two food containers. They’ve hung thick ropes and a large bell from a heavy chain. 

At first glance, I was surprised to see a large shop-vac beside the birdcage but learnt soon enough that it was absolutely necessary to clean up the mess of birdseed and feathers strewn about by the birds.

Curious George

“What’s happening Rosie, girl?”

“Shorty, go lay down.”

“Wow!”

African Gray ~ distinct red tail feathers

Throughout the day, George clutches the metal bell and flings it about. It crashes against the back of the birdcage and his eyes widen with enthusiasm. He repeats his action over and over. Rose sits quietly. They have distinct personalities and we consider George a bit of a bully. Rose only has to make a curious peep sound, almost under her breath, to advise George that he’s gone too far.

“Get out of there.”

“What do you want?”

“Woof.”

Beautiful plummage

In the evening, it becomes pitch black outside and the owners have set up a nightlight near the cage. It was explained to us that the birds are frightened easily when it’s dark, and the low-watt light helps the birds see where they are.

“Meow.”

“Hello.”

 “See you later.”

Solar Panels to the Rescue

Solar panels on Big White's roof

 On Sunday, December 7, 2015, the power went out at the home we are caring for and didn’t get set back on by the hydro company until 3 p.m. the following day. A large branch had been blown down by the ferocious wind that evening landing on the nearby electrical cables. Frank watched as a blast of sparks lit up the sky.

In our case, we are always ready for a power outage. It was our solar panels that came to the rescue.

Our immediate reaction to the outage was to first light the candles the homeowners had provided for us. They had warned us that a power outage on their rural isolated location was a common occurrence this time of year.
 

Candles provide heat and light

We stoked the fire and located the house flashlights. It has been our practice over the years living on the Vancouver Island to be prepared for various disasters with a disaster-ready kit. Even more important, we have solar panels on the top of our recreation vehicle which, these days, is our home on the road between house sits.

Frank retrieves water from the pond

On Monday, Frank set off to fill a few buckets with water. Without electricity, you would pour water into the toilet in order to flush the contents. Also, the animals need fresh water every day and so access to water is critical. We have several large plastic containers in the house filled with drinking water.

 Without electricity, you cannot plug in any device let alone the coffee pot. That’s where our solar panels provided us a civilized resource to enjoy a sensible cup of morning coffee and keep our cellular phones charged.

Fresh perked coffee

Being ready for any catastrophe is a practical mindset for all house sitters. It would be sensible for all us to have a disaster-ready kit always filled with ready-to-access items.  A polluting noisy generator is somewhat common as a power source while solar panels are sensible, quiet and ready when you are.

Be Prepared!

One Spot Trail

Bird houses on house sitting property

“The continuous greenway habitat of the One Spot Trail is important for migrating birds, such as warblers and hummingbirds, that pass through in the spring and fall.” 

This first line of the Greenway Habitat sign posted along the 7.8 km trail could also include what an incredible venue it is for Frank and me to explore our natural surroundings. Walking in the great outdoors opens our hearts and fills us with scents from the giving forest.

Today, we stroll down the property roadway from our house sitting location leading to the footpath. These gracious homeowners have constructed a number of bird houses and feeders for the migratory birds, and for those that choose to live on the Island full time.

At the juncture, we turn left onto One Spot Trail. A cluster of odours wafting through the air include the aroma of decaying leaves, trees and mud. Along the way, we stop to admire a large tree filled with holes – the work of woodpeckers. 

Woodpecker tree house

Frank on the bridge

The new bridge over Smit Creek is a work of art put together by volunteers and a local construction company. We lean over the edge to admire the movement of the water gliding over the rocks. The trickles and splashes sound like laughter.

 Just on the other side of the bridge sits a fallen log and attached to it, giving off their distinct fragrance, are a family of fungus. 

Family of fungus

We trot further along and draw in the pungent smell of cattle manure. The large black Angus stock mill about in their pen. This area is well known for its rolling hills suitable to raise farm animals. We admire our immediate surroundings, turn around and head back to our temporary home to get out from under the rain.

Happy Trails!  

Susan on the trail

Trapped in a Cage

Male Rufous-sided Towhee

The large metal bird cage, located adjacent to the house we are caring for, is approximately two metres by three metres and is covered with two layers of large and small wire to prevent wild animals from getting in and the two house parrots from getting out. 

These days, the parrots are captured indoors in a medium sized cage.

Today, a Rufous-sided Towhee became trapped in the outside cage and its reaction was horrible to witness. In a great panic, the male bird flapped around inside the coop. We don’t know how the Pipilo erythrophthalmus got into the pen, but we could tell it was feeling terror. His captivity tugged at our hearts. 

Trapped in the cage

Frank entered the cage and poured a cupful of birdseed, meant to satisfy the nibblers in the territory, into one of the feeders. The seven-inch finch with his black hood and wings made his way to the food after Frank left the cage.

Its black tail with white wing bars and spots flickered nervously as he perched on the feeding shelf. I was mesmerised by his red eyes. The little bird stayed in the same position until he had consumed the offering.

Somewhat satisfied he settled down and perched for a short while on one of the large branches strewn across the cage. 

Perched for a few seconds

Within a few seconds, he flapped and fluttered in an attempt to escape the confines. In the meantime, we searched for a practical solution to set him free. We chose a large cloth bag and tossed it over him. It worked!

 Frank carried it to the front door and set him free.

We have the great privilege of viewing the Rufous-sided Towhee in our midst because we are sitting a house surrounded by forest, thickets and woodlands. The adorable bird can be found from southern Canada to southern United States and northern Central America. The Rufous-sided Towhee is a Vancouver Islander because our winters are perfectly suited to their habitat.

More about the Rufous-sided Towhee

Two Dogs Walking

Susan walking the dogs

It has become abundantly clear to us that not every dog knows how to walk on a leash. We were warned by the dog owners at this house where we are currently managing, that neither dog is good on a leash.

“One of the dogs takes off running, choking the whole while it’s trying to pull you along. The other pulls you in all directions,” their owner said.

Gee, how bad could it be? I thought.

In the past, our experience with dog walking is that they do get excited at seeing the leash, but a simple sit command sets their mind on that task. We had learnt over the years not to use our ‘excited’ voice when clipping the lead to their collar, or any voice at all. Either Frank or I would just set up the event and go. Usually, a gentle tug on the tether brings the dog beside us and we walk together. The frenzied opposite looks and feels much different.

Imagine two small dogs jumping straight up into the air and pacing in quick circles when they land. Our sit command was ignored several times but finally, one sat while the other continued to jump and spin. I snapped the leash clip onto the first dog and set the leash down on the ground. The leashed dog took off running in large circles within their pen. I commanded the other to sit and she did. I repeated the clip action and secured the leash to the metal fence, short enough that she couldn’t jump.

In the meantime, Frank is chasing the other dog and finally manages to stop her by stomping on the lead. He brings the dog over to me. I take both leashes in one hand and a tennis racket in the other. We’ve decided to use the device as a barrier between us and these two dogs that habitually jump up on you. That ‘Dog Whisper’ technique worked.

Two dogs walking

Next, we open the gate and just like their owners said, they rush ahead in a panic and I’m flung forward by their combined strength. I felt like I was a participant in a dog-sled race. The owner’s warning came to mind as I listened to the harsh gasping sound being made by the first dog and watched helplessly as the second dog went every which way causing the leash to wrap around my ankles.

“Honey, the owner warned us. Do you still want to take them for a walk?” Frank said.

“I’m going to give it a try,” I said.

Frank walking the dogs

I shortened the leashes and commanded the pair of dogs to sit. Within a few seconds dog-one bolted forward coughing against the restraint, her body lifting up on her hind legs. Dog-two charged in the opposite direction using her Jack Russell strength against the secure leash. I repeated the sit command and they obeyed for a few seconds, and then repeated their familiar walking-on-a-leash habits. We made it no more than thirty metres down the gravel road when I decided that the hike would be too much for us with the dogs. Frank brought them to their outdoor pen, removed the ropes and secured the gate. 

We enjoyed a refreshing stroll to collect the mail.

Tips appreciated.

One Chore at a Time

Two Jack Russell dogs

House sitting is a service that brings great joy and comfort to Frank and me. Our new location is on a forty-acre parcel of land approximately three kilometres outside of Courtenay, British Columbia.

We are caring for five animals including two Jack Russell dogs, one Ragdoll cat, and two African Grey parrots all living in a well-kept two-bedroom ranch style home.

Today, we are spending the day with the homeowners to learn how to follow their routines with the animals, the treatment of the fireplace which is the main source of heat for the entire house, when to water the plants, where to leave food for the local wildlife, which cleaning products to use for what, when and where to pick up the mail and the name of the primary go-to person in case of an emergency.

One Ragdoll cat

Two African Grey parrots

What we’ve learnt so far is that the dogs are fed twice a day, at breakfast and supper; the cat also eats twice a day; the birds are fed once a day. There are outdoor and indoor plants and while the outdoor plants don’t require any special care, the indoor plants are watered about every week or so.  The homeowners are so dedicated to their indoor and outdoor environments that they have loads of wild-bird seed for the adorable daily visitors to their property. What a magnificent list of duties we have. We are ready, willing and able to handle one chore at a time.

~ Animal refuge managers ~

House Sitting Chores

Cat in a Bag

One of the pleasurable aspects of house and pet sitting is meeting with the homeowners to find out what they require of you. For example, the contractor we are dealing with now prepared a document that clearly states what she expects of us. After reviewing it with her, it became obvious that her pets were the priority and our kind treatment of them is critical. We are blessed to be caring for two cats, one quite friendly and the other very friendly. We are learning by their behaviour that they enjoy one another’s company and ours.

While creating adventures in the great outdoors, the brothers tend to stay in the yard but do travel occasionally to the neighbour’s property. To our great relief, they always make their way home after exploring their surroundings. 

Sauntering Home

Cat in a Box

Inside the house, the cats love to sit and sleep in boxes and we’ve taken to placing more of them along with paper bags in the living room for their entertainment. We admire their calm demeanor and take advantage of their appreciation of grooming with a strong comb.

By our nature, we are always seeking out ways to improve our house sitting experience. When it comes to chores we take great pride in helping the homeowner wherever we can. An example of this stems back to a conversation we had with the owner when we first met. She mentioned that her picnic table was unstable and expressed her keen interest in repairing it one day. Soon after she left us with her property, Frank took to fixing the table. Helping others gives you strength. 

It Starts With A Pig

Charlie the local pig

I can’t tell you where we are but I can share why we are here. Today, at our house sitting location it starts with a pig roaming around in the back yard. Frank was outside working on the Ural motorbike and I was removing the breakfast dishes from the homeowner’s very large dining table. It has become common for us to watch deer of various colours and sizes saunter through this property from the paved road to the treed landscape behind the ranch-style house. What a surprise to see a pig in the yard. I called Frank over and we both had a chance to pet her before she trotted away. We learnt later from a neighbour her name is ‘Charlie’. How cute.

Later that day, I took my camera and went for a walk in the neighbourhood. There are many fun things to photograph and each item has a story. For example, Chuck, the local lawnmower repairman has a funky bicycle in his front yard. I asked him what it represents and he told me it’s his Newfie lawn mower. He has a very infectious laugh. 

Chuck's Newfie lawn mower

Just around the corner I spotted a woman figure with an alien helmet sporting an iron dress. I stood staring at it for quite a while before I strolled down the hill. 

Alien lady figure

Stone wall

A fabulous stone wall caught my eye and I snapped a photo. Frank and I have become fascinated with rock walls mainly because his family home in Saskatchewan was made of stones.

Tree sculpture

Just beyond was a tree sculpture. It appears that a couple of trees locked their trunks in an embrace. I am impressed that the property owner has left the beautiful structure to be. 

The history of the area is fascinating as well. A few days before, while retrieving the home owner’s mail from the mail boxes, a friendly man told us that sitting just behind are three large boulders indicating the burial sites of three First Nations persons. A couple of cedar trees have been planted there to memorialize the site.

Three rocks two cedar trees

Police Check Results Negative

photo courtesy of acadiepedia

2015-07-07
Based on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police information check results, both Susan and Frank show negative. Upon using the investigative data bank, court and local police indices, the applicants show no record of outstanding criminal charges and warrants which the police agency is aware of or are indicated within the Investigation Data Bank.

Also, neither Susan nor Frank show records of conditional or absolute discharges.

For The Love of Cats

Ragdoll Cat

We don't own a cat but that doesn't prevent us from loving their characters. Recently, we met two handsome brothers at the home of our new house sitting contractor. Champaign and Caviar are ragdoll cats who languish on the beautiful property of the home owner. They saunter around the house like royalty and journey outside onto the neighbour's property with attitude.

On the day we were interviewed, the cats introduced themselves to us. One jumped onto the kitchen table while the other simply passed our way with his tail stuck high in the air. "Get a load of me," Caviar seemed to be saying.

We believe we are going to have a magnificent time with these two blue-eyed beauties with their colourpoint coats. They seemed quite proud of their large and muscular bodies, covered with a soft and silky coat. It was easy to see why their owner loves them. She reached for one of the cats and lifted him to her chest. He went limp and relaxed in her arms. A while later, outside, she took Champaign, lifted him to her and let him slide along her legs to the ground. He didn't struggle as Frank and I thought he might - he hung like a rag doll.

Ragdolls have a distinct look

We hope they will react that way with us.