A memorable start to a Spanish pet sit: by Brooke Baum

When Brooke Baum and her husband Buddy joined TrustedHousesitters in early 2018, they had no idea how far their house sitting journey would take them. Thirty countries and dozens of furry friends later, Brooke has compiled a collection of their favorite pet sitting stories that are truly inspiring, genuinely entertaining, and of course, totally relatable to other sitters and pet-loving travelers - just like you! 

Home Flexible: Stories from Life as a Nomadic Traveling House Sitter offers an authentic look into an unconventional lifestyle of adventure travel, pet shenanigans, and constantly expanded comfort zones. While the book is not a guide for how to become a house sitter, Brooke shares many helpful insights of lessons learned along the way. 

Related article: Making nomadic the norm: Alicia and Kev’s pet sitting story

Here is an excerpt from the chapter “Spanish Sunset and Siestas”.

After only a few days, it already felt like weeks prior that we were collected from the hectic Malaga airport. Still on a high from a day trip via ferry to Morocco just 24 hours before, we handed over the keys to our rental car with great relief to have returned it with no damage after a lot of close calls with local traffic. Then we wandered off to find our ride with our trusty backpacks strapped on each of our backs and fronts. Even though we looked ridiculous, we were unmistakably backpackers, and I loved that. 

We had left the chilly autumn weather in the UK for summer-like warmth in Spain. But as we went up and down the levels of the parking garage, which was in desperate need of repair, the heat became more and more oppressive and less of the welcome reprieve it once was. Eventually, after some initial confusion about where to meet, we found Richard (one-half of the couple we would be sitting for) leaning up against the back of his little red dust-covered hatchback. He wasn’t bothered to have to wait and just had an air of relaxation about him.

He waved cautiously, wondering if he had spotted the right confused-looking couple, and we waved back excitedly, knowing soon we would unload our packs and get some shelter from the sun. When we got closer, we gave quick awkward, sweaty hugs. We were all unsure how to greet each other in this untraditional circumstance – and with large backpacks making it even more challenging. But we were also excited and eager to become friends.

It was our ninth pet sit so far, and we were getting more and more confident. But, in Europe, it was all a bit different. The level of trust we had to put in the homeowners had to be so much higher. Stateside (other than Hawaii), we were traveling in our own car, which gave us an easy escape plan if we ever needed it. However, in many of the sits we booked abroad, we were getting picked up by the homeowners and driven to the middle of nowhere (or center of somewhere still very unfamiliar). It wasn’t uncommon for the locals in less touristy areas not to speak English, so we were really at the mercy of strangers each time.

As we piled into Richard’s car, his cheerful and disarming personality instantly put us at ease. We had about an hour’s drive together to their tiny town, tucked away beneath the Sierra del Rey mountains. With the busy city in our rear-view, any fear of the unknown soon dissipated, and an immense excitement took hold. Richard shared about how he and his wife fell in love with this area years prior and moved there from Britain. Apparently, it wasn’t uncommon for Brits to end up abroad, and many of their neighbors were also from the UK – such a relief to know we had some English-speaking emergency contacts!

Soon we had left all signs of the city behind, and we shared a short-as-possible recap of our life so far as we admired the rural scenery. As is common on our first day at a new sit, Richard drove us through town to show us around – with the grocery store and pizza restaurant being the main highlights of the small village. We popped into the store to grab a few essentials and immediately admired the bins of fresh, colorful produce (still spotted with dirt and proudly showing off their imperfections).  

As we made our way back to the main road, he slowed down for the kids playing kickball in the street and drove around the stray dogs strolling along next to the parked cars. It was like we had journeyed back to another time. Richard explained that everything would close down for lunch for an hour or two daily, and that they tended to open whenever was convenient in the morning. We wholeheartedly approved of this way of life and loved knowing such a relaxed existence was indeed possible.

Shortly after leaving town, we turned onto a narrow dirt road lined with farmhouses and fields of veg. The dust kicked up behind us, and a few local dogs chased the car as we bumped along. 

“This is us,” Richard announced while giving the horn a few good honks. We drove through the gate of their property and by dozens of rows of olive trees. Through the dirt cloud we had created, I could make out two small dogs barreling toward us. They barked in celebration of their beloved human’s return; Richard opened his door to let them jump in for the rest of the ride. 

Nana and Dixon looked slightly surprised that the human count had tripled as they clumsily leaped in, but it wasn’t enough to take away from their excitement for a car ride. Carole waved and laughed along with us from the porch as we slowly rolled up to the house.

As the dogs cooled off in the shade, panting from their energetic runaround, Carole and Richard showed us where to set our bags, then got us some ice-cold water and a tray of little tapas to snack on – including olives from the farm, of course.

Before the sun set, we all piled back into the car to drive over to their go-to walking trail. The dogs were let off their leashes to run around as we all got to know each other better. We soon realized we had a ton in common – a passion for travel, deciding to not have kids, choosing a mostly plant-based diet, and (of course!) a deep love for animals. 

They would be off to Portugal for two weeks while we cared for their home and pets. In the summer, they usually took off in a motorhome to be able to take the dogs along as well. RVing was another thing we had in common, although they seemed to take to it much better than we had.

We adored their adventurous spirits and were inspired by their simple, peaceful way of life – enjoying a leisurely cup of tea in the mornings, walking the dogs on the mountain trails, and making delicious fresh meals in the evenings.

And by evenings, I mean nearly the middle of the night! They eat so, so late in Spain. After our day of travel and our lovely walk, I thought we’d be eating shortly after our return. While I was loving our conversation (and thoroughly enjoying my first-ever gin and tonic our British hosts insisted I try), I was also very hungry. 

I checked my phone over and over again as I watched the hours pass … 8:00, 9:00, 10:00. When do these people eat? 

Finally, we sat down to eat around 10:30 p.m. I was a few gin and tonics in, talking uncontrollably, and doing my best to not shovel food into my mouth at the speed of light.

Luckily, the meal was delicious and worthy of savoring. Before the main meal of veggie pasta, we had a lovely salad with the seeds of a pomegranate picked from the bush just outside the front door and the best tomatoes I had ever had in my life, with more flavor than any I had experienced before. 

With full bellies and even more full hearts, we crashed hard just after midnight.

Related article: Finding kennels and house sitters in Costa Del Sol, Spain

This is an excerpt from the chapter “Spanish Sunset and Siestas” from Brooke’s book, Home Flexible: Stories from Life as a Nomadic House Sitter. It may have slight adjustments to fit this format.

Want to read more about how Brooke and Buddy's Spain house sit went, as well as stories from cat sitting over the winter holidays in Iceland, taking care of an off-grid farm in Hawaii, exploring Scotland with three precious pups, and more? Order your copy of Home Flexible: Stories from Life as a Nomadic House Sitter here.