Susan & Visiting Hollie (daughter/Auckland)

I owned a small, friendly family run Boutique Hotel in Cheshire in the North of England which was sold in 2018. As my daughters had left home to follow their dreams I moved permanently to live in the Algarve, Portugal 6 years ago. We had been visiting the Algarve regularly for the past 25 years.

I have always kept various animals normally dogs/cats & at times horses.
At the present time I have my cat of 10 years.
I have been a regular volunteer at a Dog & Donkey Sanctuary for the past 6 years here in Portugal. I have also helped feeding cats at 'Feeding Stations' & generally support various Animal Shelters. I also fostered 2 tiny kittens in 2021 who now share my birthday: one lives in Dubai with one daughter & one lives in the UK with my eldest daughter. We couldn't part with them!

Last winter I was fortunate to be accepted on the wonderful Lynx Cat breeding program up in the Monchique Hills in the Algarve where I volunteered 50 hours per week to monitor the Lynx behaviour. I was lucky enough to witness the birth of the cubs which would later be released into the Wild in nearby Spain. My original degree is in Biological Sciences/Ecology which was why I was interviewed & accepted onto the program. I have always been interested/aware of the Environment & in particular the effects of Pollution which was the Thesis I produced at graduation.

I enjoy a healthy/outdoor lifestyle in the Algarve which is the main reason for my decision to live here as the climate is so good. I enjoy cycling/padel tennis/sailing & help friends on Charter Boats.

I travelled extensively in the past; my daughters have continued to do so. Two daughters taught in S. Korea; & after living in S. Korea for over 5 years - one is now teaching in a Junior School in Dubai, whilst my eldest daughter returned to teach back in Cheshire, UK.

My youngest daughter moved to Auckland 5 years ago so I am visiting her for 3 months from 27th November 2024 until 24th February 2025. Hollie also loves animals & the outdoor activities. Hollie has a small apartment & will be working for the majority of the time when I visit which is why I am looking to Petsit as I will miss my cat & the dogs & donkeys at the Sanctuary. Also I want to get to know Auckland as my daughter is now being sponsored & looking towards her citizenship. I would like Hollie to be able to stay on her 2 days off each week as Hollie has indicated that she would be interested in Petsitting in Auckland in the future; Hollie always joins me at Bamboo Sanctuary when she visits the Algarve - her last visit was last summer 2023 when she also assisted on some of the boat charters, she also occasionally looks after a friend's cat called Stormy. Hollie is 26, very responsible and has looked after my hotel in the past & currently works as a Manager in the Hospitality Industry.

I have looked after a couple of beautiful properties here with pets/animals by request rather than my searching for the pet/housesitting because I am known to be reliable & trustworthy & most importantly a massive animal lover which has led me to consider petsitting whilst traveling.

One of the properties is a recently converted 5* farm property with aproximately 40 acres of land. The owners have 2 dogs/geese & feed 9 feral cats; they also wanted to ensure the property was secure in their absence. I automatically keep any property clean to an extremely high standard; my hotel was always immaculate & received very positive reviews. I am used to maintaining gardens etc & have also overseen the renovation of a villa over 10 months during 2022/2023 including the gardens. I personally obtained the planning permission & project managed the conversion of our old home into the Boutique Hotel. I trained as a lawyer in my 30's.

My husband passed away some years ago which is why I am free to move around & take on projects which interest me. I enjoy my life in the Algarve, however, I am interested in learning about Hollie's life in Auckland & whilst I am most welcome to stay with her, I know I would find a 5th floor apartment very claustrophobic as I am used to having a garden or at least a courtyard AND at least a cat. I will own a dog again, however, at the present time it would not be fair to do so as I am pretty busy.

I can provide references if required & answer any other questions which may arise.

Ideally I am looking for a month+ when I arrive or soon afterwards which could be at different locations. Then I hope to travel a little as Hollie has some vacations due in the New Year.

The 1st photos show 2 particularly shy cream Belgian-type shepherd dogs at the Sanctuary who now trust me & few others. The Donkey photo is also from the Sanctuary. The 2 yellow labradors were at a recent house/pet sit by request of the owner. The young collie is from the beautiful farm - again a request by the owner. The Black & White Cat is my cat Harrycat. The photo of the 2 Tabby cats are: Rafi who I rescued/fostered in Portugal & now lives with my daughter in England with Willow the other tabby cat plus her other two cats: Mr White & Romeo. Luna - Rafi's sister now lives in Dubai with my other daughter & her other cat Blue - from Korea.