There’s a story in the news today that more British people are choosing “staycations”. There are a number of reasons for this, but one factor is the increasing cost of holidays abroad with the weaker pound since Brexit.
Pet-sitting overseas: an enjoyable experience for animal lovers
I’ve just experienced a new concept that makes overseas holidays affordable once again. TrustedHouseSitters has a simple premise. If you agree to live in somebody else’s house, care for their pets, and carry out basic general maintenance of their home, they will allow you to stay there for free.
I started to plan our summer holiday in April, spoiled for choice of destinations. A cat in Manhattan? A flock of chickens in Austria? A dog in Portugal? Eventually we plumped for an exotic sounding possibility: a dog and cat in a chateau near Bordeaux in the south of France. Before applying for the position, I had to create a “pet sitter profile” for myself and my wife, including independent references from verified “real life” people, vouching for our reliability and skill in caring for pets and plants.
Once we’d done this, we sent off a message to the chateau owners. Within a few hours they had responded: a Skype interview was then set up. We talked for ten minutes, explaining our own background, and learning about the animals who were to be under our care: Simba, an elderly Golden Retriever, and Timone, an equally elderly cat.
Our hosts asked for time to consider our application. After a nervous wait overnight, we were delighted to hear the following morning that we had been selected as the pet sitters for the job. We agreed on precise dates, signed a contract, and the deal was done.
A detailed briefing on pet and property care is important
Three months later, in late June, we were greeted at the airport by our friendly host, Robert. He had driven two hours to collect us from the airport, and on the way home, he explained the background to the chateau. Our duties were complex enough, from mowing the lawns on a tractor-like lawnmower to maintaining the chemical balance of the 16 metre swimming pool and watering the large vegetable patch.
I was concerned about the details of animal care, so I asked Robert about Simba’s exercise routine. I was prepared for a 45 minute stroll twice daily. Robert’s reply was far simpler: “Open the patio doors, and let him out. If he wants to go for a short walk, he’ll go. You don’t need to go with him.”
Robert and his wife Florence stayed with us for the first couple of days, briefing us in the various machinations of chateau maintenance. By the time they left, we felt competent to be the new (temporary) Monsieur and Madame Chateau. They had organised for us to drive their hatchback car in their absence, as well as giving us the use of their bicycles. An excellent local restaurant was just half a mile away, while the nearby village had a range of bars and cafes, as well as supermarkets and the ubiquitous boulangeries.
Living in a chateau for two weeks: like experiencing an entirely new life
The chateau had ten bedrooms: we lived in one, but we enjoyed the grandeur of the bright, sunlit kitchen area, the large, classically designed living and dining rooms, as well as the well-stocked formal library. We felt as if we were living another life altogether, a million miles away from our daily lives at home in suburbia.
The grass cutting, pool maintenance and gardening chores were a pleasure: it’s enjoyable having novel tasks to do on holiday.
The two pets – Simba and Timone – were friendly companions. As a vet, I had a special interest in looking after them: I visited the local vet to discuss their various low-grade ailments (Simba has some arthritis, and Timone is prone to an upset stomach). With their owner’s permission, I worked with the vet to tweak their daily routines, increasing Simba’s arthritis treatment, and establishing Timone on a new, healthier diet.
My wife helped me give Simba a major grooming session, combing, brushing and shampooing him. By the end of the afternoon, he was a lighter, fluffier dog, and I had a better hairdo myself: I used Simba’s excess hair to create a Trump toupee.
Like all holidays, our trip to the chateau came to an end
The two weeks went by far too quickly. We didn’t feel the need to tour local tourist sights, or to travel to beaches or vineyards. The joy of living in our own chateau in the sun sufficed, allowing us to read books, laze by the pool and play board games.
We were sad at the end to have to say goodbye to Simba and Timone, and to leave our new lifestyle behind. Pet sitting would not suit everybody, but if you’re an animal lover, it allows you to take your hobby on holiday with you. If you’re looking for a good-value alternative to a staycation, visit TrustedHouseSitters. You never know what type of adventure could be waiting for you.
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