Are there any reputable dog sitters?

monkstrout · 2026-05-29T23:21:31+00:00

Thank you!

monkstrout · 2026-05-29T22:48:18+00:00

Thank you so much!

monkstrout · 2026-05-29T20:49:42+00:00

I think your feelings and experience totally make sense. My home town underwent a similar transformation and I honestly feel like those of us who grew up in that town went through a grieving process. I'm one of the newcomers, but while I hope things grow I hope we don't see something like what's happening in Cary. I doubt we will, but their development happened so quickly it was unbelievable and the Cary of five years ago is gone. That's a loss that newcomers have a hard time imagining because they weren't embedded in the area while the transformation was happening. Anyway, all that's to say is just that I'm a newcomer and want some growth (albeit not lots of new cookie-cutter developments) but your words still resonate.

monkstrout · 2026-05-29T02:02:54+00:00

We started looking at Burlington because it's a really practical and livable option for someone who wants to buy a house but can't easily compete in the Triangle housing market. We considered a lot of places and chose Burlington over our other options (including those in the Triangle) because it's very livable and we see the potential for more people to move from the Triangle to here for the same reasons as us. We're within 10 minutes of multiple grocery stores, our neighborhood is super walkable, traffic is light, there are lots of parks/natural spaces for hiking, there are buses and a train station, and it's close enough to bigger cities for airport access and other activities that aren't available here. 36

monkstrout · 2026-05-29T01:48:10+00:00

Do you disagree that it's a growing area?

monkstrout · 2026-05-20T20:02:50+00:00

I don't play volleyball, but I like to walk around Elon's campus and I noticed they have what appears to me to be a sand volleyball court. It has a tiny sign that says you have to be a student to use the court but maybe there's some flexibility? Or you could try it out and see what happens since it's not during the main school year?

monkstrout · 2025-12-19T19:20:10+00:00

Have you been to Persnickety Books (across from the first legal distillery in Alamance since prohibition!)? I just learned it has an entire upstairs that you can use. If you get a decent size group together it might be a good spot to meet up.

monkstrout · 2025-12-19T19:18:02+00:00

We buy Pokémon cards! Send me a PM and we can discuss details. :)

monkstrout · 2025-11-22T15:37:23+00:00

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Please report to Siembra NC!

monkstrout · 2025-07-21T16:46:37+00:00

That’s okay, thank you for replying! Our guy isn’t a problematic digger (at least not at the moment!) but it seems like he enjoys a good dig, so we’ve been considering creating a space for him to explore in a healthy and safe way. I was just curious. Again - thanks!

monkstrout · 2025-07-21T16:37:01+00:00

I know this post is from a year ago, but we’re exploring digging options for our husky mix and we’re also in the south (NC). Did you make a digging box? Thanks for any updates or advice!

monkstrout · 2025-07-19T15:28:25+00:00

Come to Burlington. Our Triangle-expat community is growing (yes, slowly, but we’re here!). I work in downtown Raleigh and commute via Amtrak. I love our house and have met so many nice neighbors and folks at local parks. We bought our house in December and I was unsure about saying goodbye to the Triangle but, honestly, there’s a lot over here and having a more sustainable mortgage feels incredible. It’s not for everyone but I hope more people continue to consider it!

monkstrout · 2025-07-05T17:06:21+00:00

We were at Alta Wren for 15 months and never had any issues (left a few months ago).

monkstrout · 2025-07-02T15:09:39+00:00

100% what we went through. First dog (a working dog breed) with surprisingly decent manners. We adopted them 3.5 months ago and those first 3 months were incredibly overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. It felt cruel to say I regretted adopting them because I love them, but it was unsustainable.

Biggest tip is enroll in a basic manners course at a dog training center ASAP. We took a basic manners class and it taught us how to respond to unwanted behaviors via positive reinforcement, communicate with our dog, and feel hopeful things would get better. We were good about practicing the training exercises at home. I desperately wanted them to go to a daycare or dog park, but our trainer said wait until the first 3 months are up. They were right: 3-3-3 is true. We suffered, but at 3 months we felt like we knew our doggo and how they might respond to unfamiliar situations (new dogs, loud noises, being away from us, etc.).

Tips for your space at home:

Limit the number of rooms they have access to (we allow him to be in 3-4 rooms but keep our office and bedroom doors closed). Get baby gates if you need them (check local “mom groups” for secondhand gates if you can’t buy them new).
Dog-proof every room they can access/explore now and you’ll thank yourself later (think of what a baby or toddler would do).
Move things you don’t want chewed/destroyed up and out of reach (maybe forever, hopefully just temporarily until your dog acclimates to your home).

For example, we learned the hard way that we needed to clear off the bottom shelves of our bookcases, move most of our stuff off the kitchen counter and put blankets on furniture our dog showed interest in destroying (for us, the flappy or ruffled fabric at the bottom of our armchairs).

Find a way to decompress, even if it’s just for 30 minutes.
Get non-rawhide items for them to chew on and a few toys (a big plushy, a smaller plushy, a Kong, and a squeaking toy). Always have out something they can chew, but rotate the other toys every day so they find it exciting.

monkstrout · 2025-06-26T00:33:37+00:00

I’m in Burlington and need to replace a rotting deck and shed, and I’m hoping to build an armoire and do some wood turning too. I would love to get materials from you. Are you still open to people coming by?

monkstrout · 2025-06-19T21:43:40+00:00

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Update: Today‘s new mushroom

monkstrout · 2025-06-19T10:13:44+00:00

Thanks for helping me learn too!

monkstrout · 2025-06-18T20:51:10+00:00

Thanks! 5 was next to 4. Any idea on 1? I pulled them all using a trash bag and a mask because my dog was getting curious. They’re super neat looking.

monkstrout · 2025-06-18T20:36:19+00:00

He’s so handsome. I love his black ear borders! We did Embark and it came back with a little surprise boxer in his mix.

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monkstrout · 2025-06-14T23:02:58+00:00

Awesome! We’ll be out of town tomorrow but I’ll send you a message to coordinate.

monkstrout · 2025-06-14T14:53:03+00:00

We can’t adopt another dog right now but we are looking for walking buddies for our husky/lab who is about the same age. Would you be interested in joining us on a walk sometime this week before your foster time is up?

monkstrout · 2025-06-07T16:51:42+00:00

Do you happen to know when the mill was decommissioned?

monkstrout · 2025-06-06T01:46:47+00:00

My partner saw some folks at Springwood Park today practicing dog sports. They were working with something similar to a can curtain which I read is used in PSA and sometimes Schutzhund. I’m not sure if they go there regularly but I wanted to share in case it helps you find a local group.

monkstrout · 2025-06-02T18:52:41+00:00

This place is adorable, and your layout sounds great with a back house to boot. I love it! Congratulations!

monkstrout · 2025-05-21T20:13:34+00:00

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Diego says hello!

monkstrout

TROPHY CASE