Community forum: August round-up

It’s almost the end of another month, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for another Community Forum round-up! In our latest August update, we’re talking member meet-ups, honeymoon house sitters, cleaning etiquette, and more... 

If that wasn’t enough, it goes without saying that you can expect a LOT of cute pet content, too. This month alone, we’re meeting some sheep, some chickens, some cats going on walkies… and even a pup enjoying the fine art of television! 

So, ready to get the lowdown on all things ‘forum’? Your August Community Forum round-up is here, hot off the press… Enjoy!

Topic of the month

We loved hearing all about our wonderful member’s house sitting adventures this month, in our longstanding topic, Who’s on a house sit and how’s it going?

Member @Corney kicked us off in style, with a menagerie of pets - from cats and dogs to chicken and sheep! - in beautiful British Columbia.

“We are just starting a house sit in Nanaimo BC. We will be here for a month while the family goes to Europe. We have been house sitting since June 6th of this year. We have been all over BC doing sits.” — @Corney

From one set of farmyard friends to another: member @DeretaMaria and husband, Hugh, have been enjoying a long break from their public service jobs, and some well-earned freedom as travelling house sitters…

“We are up to our second sit on a 25-acre farm with miniature goats and horses which are very cute. We now have sits lined up until the end of the year. We are planning a long overseas trip next year and are looking forward to doing some sits along the way. 

We are very impressed with the way the platform has been set up and the professionalism of the administrators - thank you, volunteers, you are doing a great job and providing excellent service to both sitters and owners.”  — @DeretaMaria

Category of the month

This month, our Travel, Meet Ups & Events category was abuzz as our members planned many meet-ups all around the world, from Montreal, Los Angeles, Pensacola, Denver, Dublin Liverpool, London, Lisbon, and more!

We loved seeing our members get together to share their stories, experiences, - a glass or two of their favourite tipple! -, and build wonderful, long-lasting friendships. 

In one meet-up, our forum members took their conversations offline and into the comfort of a cosy London pub. A few members of Team Trusted even made an appearance - including our very own Forum Mod and Community Manager, Angela Laws!

Forum member of the month

This month, we’re shouting out member @Joanne for her positive spirit and eagerness to always welcome aboard new members to the forum. As well as offering advice and support, @Joanne has also helped to make our member meet-ups even more fun and interesting! 

If that wasn’t enough, @Joanne recently shared this adorable photo of their kitty house sitting protege joining them on their daily dog walks! 

“We are enjoying what is to be our last sit in the UK before we head back to the states. In addition to a cute 1-year-old pup, this is our first taste of indoor/outdoor cats, and they are just the sweetest. Imagine my surprise when they began joining us for walks each day! All 3 are the most well-behaved little ones ever!” — @Joanne

Quote of the month

This month’s Quote of the month comes from member @Colin, who also celebrated his birthday this month on the forum! 

“Thank you - I’ve officially joined the 60’s club and booked my first ever free eye test to celebrate!” — @Colin

60 and thriving, Colin! We hope you had a happy birthday!

Photos of the month

Wanted: honeymoon house sitter!

Newlyweds @Jacob and Gemma came to the forum in need of a dog sitter for sweet Matsi (aka Mozzarella), while they enjoyed a 2-week honeymoon.

Luckily for these two pet parents (and Matsi!), it didn’t take long for one of our keen sitters to offer to step into their dog walking shoes, signing up for a two-week stay in beautiful Bournemouth with sweet Matsi for company. Remember to send us a postcard, Jacob and Gemma! 

Meanwhile, member @ExploreDreamDiscover was enjoying a house sit in Tacoma, Washington with two sweet kitties.

“Heading to a Seattle sit next week. If anyone else is there, let's meet up!” — @ExploreDreamDiscover

Could Seattle be the location of our next forum meet-up? Who knows - watch this space! 

And finally, member @Crookie and their pet sitting charge, Cara, have been enjoying the Netflix series, The Hidden Lives of Pets… and it looks like Cara is a big fan! 

“We are watching The Hidden Lives of Pets on Netflix and Cara just loves it!” — @Crookie

Careful Cara, you'll go square-eyed!

What else have the community been discussing this month?

Can we ever prepare too much? 

In this interesting topic started by member @gracefulwolf, our members discussed the big question: is there such a thing as over-preparing for your sitter? 

“My friend says I’m over the top with cleaning in preparation for my sitters. Am I? I want people to relax at our place, and I want them to want to come back.” — @gracefulwolf

As you’d expect, our members were quick to share their feelings - and it was overwhelmingly positive! 

“I am a sitter and really appreciate an owner that is like you. Keep it up!" — @Peg

Member @Amparo was also keen to share her perspective as a sitter: “I’m a sitter and I love to tend to the gardens, weed mow trim whatever. In the kitchen I enjoy cleaning, for me, it’s no big deal as small gestures made in goodwill are always overcompensated in wonderful, unexpected ways, like friendships. It was actually this person who gifted me my butterfly wings!”

Have you joined the Forum yet?

And that's it for another month! If you're itching for more, then why not pop on over to our Community Forum and get involved in the conversation yourself? Ask advice, share your own advice, or simply chat with your fellow members on all things travel, house sitting, pets, and more. We'll see you there!