Combining the best of both worlds - Rob & Deb's members story

Rob and Deb’s adventure began five years ago when they decided to sell their stationary home and move into a more, er, mobile one. Yep, homes sweet home became their new motorhome! For the first couple of years, the couple were happy exploring around the UK, but couldn’t shake the feeling a piece of the puzzle was missing…

“Although this carefree lifestyle sounds idyllic - and although it nearly was - something was missing. That something was a pet. We’d always had a dog or cat – usually both – to welcome us home; a friend to curl up with on an evening or a wet afternoon; the companionship of a loving dog.”

And who should fall into their lap but good old TrustedHousesitters! Rob and Deb hadn’t considered pet sitting up until that point, but now it seemed ideal.

“We saw an opportunity to combine the best of both worlds; we could still travel but also have settled spells with plenty of animal love. So in October of 2021, we took the plunge.”

Their first sit was in the UK, in the beautiful Sussex countryside with four dogs. Although slightly apprehensive at first, after meeting with the owners over a cup of tea, they were left feeling more at ease with four new paw companions. Since then, they’ve been on sits all over England.

“Deb remembers all the pets’ names and foibles and their owners’ instructions (one sit entailed looking after two donkeys and we asked if there was anything we needed to watch out for in their welfare. The owner replied that as long as the donkeys were the right way up there was nothing to worry about!)“

On a repeat Cornish sit, they even had the opportunity to experience planting and harvesting vines, so rewarding! Now, pet sitting has become a part of how they travel.

“House sitting has now become the mainstay of how we live: dogs showing us the way along footpaths through fields and woods: collecting warm eggs from under broody chickens: a cat curled up on Deb’s lap: a curious family of sheep nudging for a scattering of feed.” 

They’ve connected and befriended other like-minded pet lovers along the way, too, as well as had the chance to visit parts of the UK they’d never seen before,

“Thanks to TrustedHouseitters, we have the chance to take care of some wonderful pets and act as caretakers to some beautiful houses and gardens… There is plenty of time for exploring and our dog walks take us off the beaten track to little-known beauty spots.” 

Now in the start of their third year with TrustedHousesitters, Rob and Deb have a real feel for what it means to be part of our pet people community.

“For anyone looking for the company of animals in pleasant surroundings, we would strongly recommend TrustedHouseitters to bring these aims together. House and pet sitting is for all age groups and some professions.” 

Rob is a published author (pen name Kit Fielding) who works remotely whilst pet sitting. His recently published novel, The Undead Gypsy, was put together as an Own Voice piece through his knowledge of the traveller community from his heritage and childhood. You find out more about Rob through his website: www.kitfielding.co.uk.