Caring for your pets, your home, and the planet...

I have very high standards in all that I do. Sometimes it drives me mad, but that's the way I am. It means a lot to me to know that I've given the best I possibly can to all the animals I care for.

I like to take time to ensure they're settled and happy when I first arrive, and when I leave. When it's time to feed, I'll always clean food bowls, even if they're eating dry food, before replenishing, and do the same for water bowls. I ensure that the litter area is clean and tidy too. I realise that they probably won't notice, but I do!!

I talk to them, tell them what's happening, and perhaps let them know when their families are due to be back. I'll tell them stories of all the other animals I've been looking after - and they always listen. I look out for signs of anything that's not right with them, both physically and emotionally. And of course, I bring love and healing.

But my care extends to further than the animals I'm looking after. I always ensure that litter is disposed of properly, according to instructions - some of my customers keep the litter tray in the bathroom or cloakroom, and ask me to flush the solids down the toilet. Otherwise, it's all bagged up and put in your outside bin. Sadly, not all pet sitters take this much care. I've been contacted by people looking for a new pet sitter, when their previous one has left the bags containing solids in the house. It might be an oversight, but more care should be taken - the results can be disastrous and very unpleasant when the family returns home.

I always keep a clean and tidy sink area, and sometimes I even do the washing up if it's been left!! I bring my own gloves, feeding spoons and tea towels, so that I don't use any I find in the kitchen - unless they've been specifically left out for pet use. And I always bring my own rubbish bags and cleaning materials. Accidents happen - like the other the other day where I was emptying solids from the litter tray, and while the lid was off the cat decided to step in for a pee, and sprayed all over the wall! It doesn't bother me in the slightest and I always ensure the area is properly cleaned and disinfected, and cleaning materials disposed of in the outside bin.

I'm happy to feed and water plants - if you ask me - and will also see to any outside or greenhouse watering as long as time allows.

Finally, I'm doing what I can to help the planet, although I know I could do a little more...... Tins and foil trays are always washed and recycled, and of course litter solids can be flushed down the toilet (check the type of litter though, they can't all be flushed). The only problem is that I drive to all my customers, which isn't so good for the planet. I've decided to experiment with cycling to visits next Spring when the weather gets better and there's more light again. The traffic in Manchester is so bad sometimes that I'm sure I'd be quicker on 2 wheels!!

A healing approach to cat sitting

I began pet healing before I moved into pet sitting, so when I'm with animals, no matter what I'm doing, I'm always very aware that I'm bringing them healing - for whatever it is that they need.

When their families go away, generally cats are going to be happier left in their own homes, with all their familiar things and smells, and all their favourite little nooks and crannies. If they're outdoor cats, they can still roam around in their territory.

But that doesn't mean to say that they won't experience some anxiety, confusion or upset. They've become an important part of the family, so if you put yourself in the cat's place, and you find yourself on your own for a few days, you can perhaps start to imagine what emotions the cat might be feeling. Every animal is different and some will experience this in a different way and to a different extent. You know your own animal best.....

Now, what I don't want to be doing is making you even more anxious than you might already be about going away and leaving little Barney all on his own (or him and his brothers and sisters).

But what I did want to talk about is my approach to helping your animals to cope as well as they possibly can while you're away. I work as a healer, and bring healing with me (it's always there, but it's also a state of mind and way of being for me) when I come to look after your animals. The root of the verb "to heal" comes from "to make whole". This reflects the fact that a body will be whole (therefore at his healthiest), when all parts of it are working well. And this doesn't just mean in the physical sense, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually too.

We all know how emotional issues can lead to stress which has a direct effect on the physical health of a body. Well, all these 4 factors are inter-related, and all need to be working effectively for a body to be healthy - and happy. And a cat that is feeling a little unhappy or anxious while their family is away is clearly not whole.

So, when I'm coming to take care of cats while their families are away, the first thing I do is to sit down with them, and give them a cuddle. I'd say that 99% of the cats I look after want love, caring, strokes and a fuss before they think about eating. While I'm sitting with them I'm able to pick up on how they're feeling, and my hands will be able to deliver whatever is needed to ensure that they can be calm, relaxed and happy. It's not essential to physically touch though. I can just sit close by, tune in to them, and send healing energy from my heart to theirs. So once they're eating, I love to sit and watch them, continually sending them love and healing. I'll also tell them what's going on, why people sometimes need to go away, and that they'll be back soon.

I've talked about cats here, because it's mostly cats I look after. But I look after some house bunnies and I do exactly the same for them, as well as the other animals I'm asked to look after from time to time.

I love to do this just for its own sake, it's a truly beautiful place to be with all these animals I look after. But it's also great to hear from their families that once they return they're all very happy pets - and I know that I've really done my job, and helped to heal the humans too!!

You're my favourites!

It's amazing that to people who don't really know cats, they all seem the same. Of course, when you have cats, know lots of cats, or work with them the reality is that they're all very different. For me, that's one of the wonders of cats. They are such interesting and fascinating animals, all with extremely different characters.

Whenever I'm with any of the cats I look after, at the time I'm with them, they're my favourites. Then I get up, drive to the next house, and they're my favourites too! And so my day goes on........

Olly and Frank are brothers and are very gentle boys. They are extremely affectionate to each other, and to me, and when I'm there they like nothing better than to be sitting on my lap or snuggled in right beside me. Being continually stroked, of course! They're definitely my favourites.

Then there's Rex and Sammy, two more brothers, this time ginger boys. They have a cat flap, so go in and out as they wish, but when I get there, no matter what time it is, Sammy is usually sitting outside waiting for me - as long as it's not pouring with rain; otherwise, he's sleeping on the back of the armchair in the front window and sees me coming through the gate. The minute I'm there he races me to the kitchen, jumps on the table and nuzzles into my hand and face. Then starts shouting at me for food! Once he's got his food, he tends to be less bothered about getting a fuss from me.

Rex takes a little longer - he's either asleep upstairs, or wandering further around the neighbours' gardens. He's less bothered about his food, and usually waits for Sammy to stop eating before he sees what's left for him. His face is often covered in scratches, and he's known locally for being a bit of a bruiser, fighting with other cats. But he's so gentle and loving with me, and while I'm there, once he's found me, he doesn't leave me. If it's a nice, warm sunny day, I'll sit in the garden with them while they sunbathe on their backs in the middle of the lawn.

When it's time to leave, as long as it's not raining, Sammy usually comes to see me off. With a look that says "I can't believe you're leaving me!"....... They're definitely my favourites.

More favourites on another day.