Merle

I’m 33, non-smoker and tidy. I arrived in NZ (from the UK) in June 2023 and was lucky enough to have back to back house/pet sits for the first few months I was here, and now I'm hooked!

Having grown up with several pets, and borrowed many more, my life’s ambition is to be the crazy old cat & dog lady! Now isn’t the right time to start building a pack of my own, but in the meantime I’d love to put all that energy into fussing over your pet(s)!

I grew up with a variety of dogs, ferrets, hamsters and fish. Our garden backed onto the village playing field, so most walks began with interacting with other people and/or dogs before heading over to the fields where I’d walk our dogs (off lead) past sheep, horses and cows.

In my 20’s I spent a few years living abroad during which I worked on an egg farm for several months. As well as caring for the chickens there were pigs and vegetable plots to look after too. I was also lucky enough to have Macca, a 5yr Golden, as my housemate for 6 months (human housemate was a chef working 12hrs, 6 days a week, so I got to look after Macca as if he were my own).

Until 2023 I lived in Oxford, UK, I was lucky enough to pet sit many times in my own home. I’ve had a variety of different dogs so walks were always tailored to the dogs needs. The 12 year old Jack Russell just wanted a brief potter in the shade, before heading back to nap. Whereas the Collie, Dachshund and Cocker Spaniel all appreciated being able to stretch their legs for a good few hours, including a decent off leash run. I had the pleasure of having Tulsi, an Irish Terrier, as a repeat dog sit (6-8 weeks each time), the first time I looked after her she was just 7 months old. After she’d recovered from her neutering operation I focused on teaching her recall and lie down for the first time, which she understood well in just 6 weeks. She also had lots of socialising each time she stayed with me.

Since arriving in NZ I've pet sat for 6 weeks in Ōkaihau my housemates were a Huntaway, Lab x Mastiff and Burmese cat, accommodation was off grid.
After this I spent 2 weeks in Te Atatū with Fuzz and Lady, both senior cats, followed by 6 weeks in Titirangi with two 4yr old dogs (greyhound X lab x collie mixes). Last, but not least, 6 weeks in Christchurch with Meetsy, a very sweet young cat.

I’d relish the chance to do training with your furry friend(s). If you’d like I’m also very happy to help socialise pets; taking them to parks and cafes, or simply provide company and tummy rubs.

Over the last year my interest in gardening has grown too, so if there’s any weeding I’d be happy to help with that too – I’m hoping to find a home away from home where I can look after it, and the animals as if it were my own.

Happy to answer any questions so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thanks,
Merle