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.

Reference Letter

Mr. Hughes was one of our tenants.

Safe, Sound and Secure

Port McNeill Harbour

We offer up solid experience minding properties. Our first home sitting location was Port McNeill, British Columbia. In 2004, we cared for the owner's house, yard and two cats while they worked at a logging camp. We washed windows, fed the cats, repaired a broken eaves trough, mowed the lawn, cut wood for the fireplace, gathered mail and tended to the plants in the yard and the solarium. It was a great experience and one that cut our teeth on the rewarding practice of being a home sitter.

Frank and Susan with students in China

In 2005, we set off to China to teach English as a second language. Our experience with our middle school and high school students opened our eyes to the power of communication and patience.

Frank and Susan in Nepal

In the summer of 2007, we taught English in Nepal to adult learners and learnt from them the dynamics of having reason and logic to fall back on. We use our international travel adventures to support our love of meeting new people and creating sincere friendships.

Power washing as Resident Manager

Back in Canada, we took a job as residential managers at a multi-family residence in Port Hardy. We took to our responsibilities with pride. We dealt with the tenants in a respectful fashion.

"We feel safe with Frank and Susan as the managers here," one tenant said.

We are retired and semi-retired and live in our 23 foot RV. We are now ready to mind your house and property, your dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, sheep, goats and other farm animals.

We are a married couple who can proudly present as non-smoking, non-drinking, non-drugging citizens. Please contact us at maturehousepetsitters@gmail.com or 250-850-7007 and 250-850-9115.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Frank and Susan Black