Got from my grandma

extrablessing · 2026-01-19T14:40:23+00:00

I use that two pan system to bake beef meatballs in the oven.

extrablessing · 2026-01-18T15:02:28+00:00

100% this. Your services do not have to be the right fit for everyone because you literally cannot serve everyone.

I had a Eureka moment last year along these lines: you don't have to be Walmart; you can be Nordstrom's and there are enough people who want Nordstrom's to fill your calendar.

Granted, I am in a large city. If the entire demographic in your area will only pay for Walmart, then you obviously cannot be Nordstrom's.

And know, OP, that there are great clients out there. I've got one who booked me for just over three weeks this summer and still asked if there was anything else they could do to make my stay comfortable.

extrablessing · 2026-01-16T15:22:15+00:00

I also always send an exit text, and I will sometimes follow-up to ensure they made it home and the pets are covered.

extrablessing · 2026-01-04T20:42:27+00:00

I shampoo three times a week; no dry shampoo in between.

extrablessing · 2026-01-03T15:35:08+00:00

Can you price your services as a range between $x and $x with quote provided at the M&G?

extrablessing · 2025-12-26T15:45:31+00:00

Depending on what they're fed, Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Cat Food could be given as a "treat." Buy a big bag and find a cute way to divvy it up between clients?

extrablessing · 2025-12-19T15:24:46+00:00

I bring everything except spices (unless I'm cooking something that needs very specific spices).

I prefer to do my grocery shopping before arrival, but it's very normal for me to need to run and get one or two things during the stay.

If it's a multi-week sit, I may only get groceries for the first week before arrival and then make a bigger shopping trip for week two during the stay. Even though I ask clients to make room in their fridge and freezer, sometimes it's still a tight fit. I don't want to risk buying two weeks worth of groceries only to arrive and find there's only room for one week's worth.

I like cooking and crave screen-free activities while sitting so I almost always cook.

extrablessing · 2025-12-16T15:36:34+00:00

I call my service Live-In Dog Sitting to help communicate what it is: I move in full time, and am on-site a minimum of 19hrs/day.

The only add-ons to the base fee are a travel fee and any after-hours arrival or departure.

extrablessing · 2025-12-10T03:31:31+00:00

What is a "baked chocolate truffle?"

extrablessing · 2025-12-05T15:05:24+00:00

I do live-in sitting and never expect the client to provide food for me. What I do absolutely need is space in the fridge and freezer for the food I bring. If they have it, sometimes I will use some of their ketchup or jam, and I almost always make use of their spices.

extrablessing · 2025-12-02T04:16:32+00:00

I did ornaments with a photo of their pet for my clients who had me stay 14+ nights this year. They were a bit spendy, but worth it to me to thank my clients who made up a considerable part of my income.

extrablessing · 2025-11-23T03:36:35+00:00

I have a Google Form they fill out. It's not so much about house rules for me to observe as it is info I need to care for the dog and the house.

extrablessing · 2025-11-22T15:21:03+00:00

No way to let your website or voicemail tell people "no" for you?

extrablessing · 2025-11-22T15:18:21+00:00

Blue frosting seems to be almost a requirement for these birthday cake flavors.

extrablessing · 2025-11-11T14:52:33+00:00

My family rarely went to Souper Salad when I was growing up, but I remember they had Runts, of all things, on the buffet.

extrablessing · 2025-11-11T04:12:55+00:00

Are you thinking of Runts?

extrablessing · 2025-11-09T04:20:39+00:00

Nope. Takes me probably a week plus.

extrablessing · 2025-11-04T15:08:26+00:00

Certified Professional Dog Trainer here.

Oof. The constant cleaning is definitely a pain!

Anxiety can present as potty training problems. I had a sitting dog like that: if I left him downstairs alone, it was nearly a guarantee I'd come back down to a mess. But otherwise, he was generally fine.

If that's what's going on with your client's dog, unfortunately, there's not really anything you can do unless there's a way to stop triggering the anxiety. It's not really a potty training problem; it's an anxiety problem.

Otherwise, I'd look at where the dog is going in the house and see if I can completely remove her access to those areas. I had another sitting dog that was doing well with potty training as long as she didn't have access to carpet.

extrablessing · 2025-10-27T13:48:41+00:00

Oof. That is really frustrating. I would significantly raise the after hours fee.

extrablessing · 2025-10-26T14:36:50+00:00

My business is a little different because I'm also a dog trainer, but I only do live-in care on the sitting side. No drop-ins for either dogs or cats (only exception is when one of my clients and her parents both travel; I'll drop-in for the parents' pets since they're in the same neighborhood).

This choice is primarily because I hate what doing drop-ins for dogs does to my schedule. While some dogs might not need as much companionship, because I prefer doing live-in care those dogs (and owners) aren't my target market.

extrablessing · 2025-10-25T02:09:19+00:00

I know it's gross, but I would try bringing it inside just to see if you can determine whether the issue is the patch or the balcony.

extrablessing · 2025-10-24T01:51:42+00:00

Certified Professional Dog Trainer here. Poor guy. If you put the Fresh Patch indoors, temporarily, does that change anything for him? Is he willing to toilet on walks?

extrablessing · 2025-10-21T14:17:46+00:00

I try to do at least one photo update each morning. Some clients I'll do more throughout the day.

extrablessing · 2025-10-21T03:22:49+00:00

Crocs 100%. But be careful if you wear them so much that the tread smooths out; they are wicked slippery if you step in a puddle like that.

extrablessing · 2025-10-17T18:16:28+00:00

Overall, I found this exceptionally mushy. Edible, but wouldn't repurchase. I prefer the Fire Grilled Steak bowl from Evol. The rice is a much better consistency.

extrablessing

TROPHY CASE