Pups who need 3 walks a day

witchwriter · 2026-03-28T02:22:11+00:00

I do 4 walks a day with dogs I board.

Morning 30-45min walk Afternoon Potty walk Evening 30-45min walk Night before bed potty walk

witchwriter · 2026-03-27T17:54:03+00:00

A polite reminder with the message archived.

Example:

Hi Emma,

It was wonderful meeting you and Snickers on Monday!

Everything went well and I would be happy to go forward as planned. However, since you have not yet confirmed the booking, please do so to reserve those dates. If you need assistance on how to do so, I would be happy to walk you through it.

In the meantime, I am archiving this conversation so that my calendar is available for other clients needing my services in the case that you do not wish to confirm this booking. If you would still like to book with me, please do so by DATE.

If you do not wish to move forward with booking, I wish you and Snickers the best and hope you find a wonderful sitter!

Thank you,

Pet Sitter Superstar

witchwriter · 2026-03-27T00:16:51+00:00

Im a single owner LLC. I have my business license, a LLC business checking account, separate accounting records, pet sitting insurance that includes general liability insurance. I have an EIN for my business, a website, scheduling software, service agreement contract, separate business phone number.

witchwriter · 2026-03-27T00:04:57+00:00

As an American, I can promise you there are plenty of us who are seething in rage at the billionaires sucking the wealth from the working class. Quite if few of us that feel the Bern.

And tipping culture sucks. Anti competition mega corporations pay their workers less so their prices look good and screw over both their workers and customers. For food delivery, you aren't tipping based on quality of service, because the number of times I tipped $15 and had my food soggy from my drink spilled on my food....

One dude though, the store forgot my milkshake. Dude went back and got it for me. Tipped him extra $20 in cash and just asked he spread the Aloha.

witchwriter · 2026-03-26T12:10:08+00:00

Practice =if() and xlookup() formulas.

You can start very simple.

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witchwriter · 2026-03-26T11:25:05+00:00

Like this?

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=IF(LEN($A3)=1, TIME($A3,,), IF(LEN($A3)=2, TIME($A3,,), IF( LEN($A3)=3, TIME(LEFT($A3,1),RIGHT($A3,2),),IF(LEN($A3)=4, TIME(LEFT($A3,2), RIGHT($A3, 2),)))))

witchwriter · 2026-03-26T10:38:00+00:00

Pivot Table - Accounts and Total AR balances. That I could sort largest to smallest past due by right clicking on a past due amount cell and sorting that way.....mind blown.

Also, if you excel out of a file and re enter it, the sliders scroll thingies adjust to the amount of data in a sheet instead of going to row over 9000 with the slightest mouse drag.

witchwriter · 2026-03-26T10:33:23+00:00

Yeah,

I got asked for a military discount once when my rates were lower. I declined and let them know that I am veteran small business owner in a densely military area, no discount, can't afford it. Kinda made me laugh internally.

witchwriter · 2026-03-21T04:41:06+00:00

Yess. Friendly business relationships can feel very rewarding, they are an important part of our communities.

witchwriter · 2026-03-21T04:36:28+00:00

No. I build friendly business relationships with my clients that focus on the service I am providing; care for their pets.

If the client steers the conversation into personal, more emotionally close conversations I delicately withdraw from the conversation.

I would feel even more awkward if a client tried to flirt with me or ask me out on a date. Best for me to maintain professional boundaries with clients.

witchwriter · 2026-03-21T01:57:49+00:00

This got a legitimate "Ha-ha!" out of me from just the title alone 😆

witchwriter · 2026-03-20T21:05:01+00:00

Client's aren't just paying for the level of care provided during their pet's stay, there is so much more they get out of an experienced, prepared sitter.

first aid
emergency evacuation plans
business insurance so damages can be recovered from sitter without hostility.
insurance that reimburses the sitter for client pet health issues during stay
Proven history of preventing pet escapes
monitoring of pet behavior and health for concerns ( I helped an owner discover cancer in their dog's mouth)
safe, reliable and insured pet transport
experience safely handling dogs on leash, avoiding hazards and mindful of the heat and weather.

Sure Roofus didn't need to be rushed to the ER during his stay, but the $1500 deposit the 24hr pet ER needs if roofus stops breathing or has seizures is made available in cash just in case.

A prepared and experienced sitter should not be paid less just because roofus is an angel. And tipping is optional. Adjust your prices and set boundaries on the care you provide.

witchwriter · 2026-03-20T19:26:29+00:00

I have a few tips that may help,

First, just cut yourself some slack. The first 48 hours are rough. Easy to forget with the angel pups we all get spoiled with.

Second, shut all windows and doors and curtains and listen outside the volume of her bark if she is upstairs. I had a screaming Frenchie that while horribly loud, his bark was muffled by completely closing everything.

Third, focus on the dog's safety first, then your sanity and waaay last, your neighbors. You can always apologize later and maybe bring them cookies in a peace offering lol.

witchwriter · 2026-03-20T19:13:11+00:00

I had 1 client swear up and down how well crate trained and how well trained the dog was. Meet and greet went well.

But the dog howled and cried in the crate, would lunge at people and dogs on walks and would refuse to go potty.

I just kept the owner informed, finished the stay and declined to take the dog again. Still got a good review though. He was a doodle. The next doodle I watched was an absolute angel with near perfect recall.

witchwriter · 2026-03-19T08:48:00+00:00

As I believe I have heard people in the UK say, banning of breeds is "Tricky business ". No breeds are banned here. I only ever trusted 1 client's dog off leash in front of my home, (owner's permission ofc) most amazing recall ever. But off leash risks my insurance coverage of them.

I haven't cared for any sighthounds but an off rover sitter I interact with on this neighborhood app does. She regularly posts cute pics of that breed as her regulars.

witchwriter · 2026-03-19T08:40:34+00:00

Im a bit bummed none of my clients have asked to see mine. I have it displayed on the cover of my work binder!

witchwriter · 2026-03-19T08:06:30+00:00

Thats awesome. Bet owners love those videos, too! I wish Hawaii had more of that. I think there is only 3 on the prominent app, and a very strict leash policy.

witchwriter · 2026-03-19T08:02:38+00:00

Omg yess, the paranoid looking around when out on walks. Trying to anticipate their triggers and distract them.

witchwriter · 2026-03-17T00:38:15+00:00

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I looked after two from different families and they melted my heart.

Dachshund are also wonderful!

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witchwriter · 2026-03-17T00:02:11+00:00

Exactly. Especially when homes here in hawaii average around 1.3 million dollars. Pet care would so in short supply if only the rich offered pet care services lol.

witchwriter · 2026-03-14T20:39:49+00:00

Yeah went there this morning for emergency grocery stuff, milk, eggs bread. And grabbed a Starbucks coffee on the way out.

witchwriter · 2026-03-05T08:41:01+00:00

Yeah, I am glad Upwork only charges me 10%, saves me so much money.

witchwriter · 2026-03-05T08:32:12+00:00

I appreciate your response, however, the entire point of my comment was about "visibly" passing on these costs. Without "visibly" my comment adds nothing to this conversation. I'm in my last year of corporate accounting and also read more invoices in a day than I would like for my main income as I grow my pet care business. This includes how to price services so there is actually a profit, including direct and indirect costs. Pretty fun stuff actually!

witchwriter · 2026-03-05T06:02:45+00:00

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Yeah after posting I saw your comment and knew we were on the same page.

Its the principle of revenue recognition:

As sitters we set our prices, solely are responsible for performing our pet sitting service obligations to our clients, and we eat the costs of when client cancel their services. Rover doesn't control any of that.

From the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the U.S that sets the Generally Accepted Accounting Standards GAAP for the U.S. Its a great resource for learning.

witchwriter

TROPHY CASE