Ever wondered how a pet sitter stays fit without ever stepping foot in a gym? Between dog walks, pet visits, lifting, bending, standing and constantly moving from one appointment to the next, some workdays feel like a full-body workout. And while other people are heading out for a run in the heat because they want to exercise, I’m sometimes wondering how they have the energy! A humorous, honest look at the physical reality of a busy pet sitter’s life - and why, after a long day, putting my feet up can feel like the perfect workout recovery.

Ever wished you had a little magic to make everything on your to-do list disappear? If I had Samantha Stephens’ famous nose twitch from Bewitched, I could make the dog walks, pet visits, messages, household jobs and unexpected problems magically sort themselves out. But until that magic twitch arrives, I’m left juggling the realities of pet-sitting life - one appointment, one responsibility and occasionally one mysterious car noise at a time.

It’s my birthday, I’m 42, and I’m working - and honestly, I’m okay with that. Instead of seeing my birthday as a day when everything else has to stop, I’m choosing to spend it doing what helps me build the life I want: caring for pets, earning money, working towards greater financial freedom and a more peaceful future.

Raising your rates sounds simple enough…until you start thinking about the loyal clients, what feels fair, and whether that extra €2 really makes a difference. Finding the balance between valuing your clients and valuing your own time isn’t always straightforward - but sometimes, you have to stop negotiating with yourself.

When you care about the pets you’re looking after, it’s easy to put their needs first and your own concerns second. But being a pet sitter also means recognising when something doesn’t feel right. From situations that leave you feeling uneasy, to moments when your instincts tell you something isn’t right, this is a look at why personal safety matters just as much as providing good care - and why you should never feel guilty for taking your own wellbeing seriously.

Running your own pet-sitting business can give you the freedom and flexibility, but there’s another side to being your own boss. When your work independently, taking time off can also mean taking a break from your income. There’s always another booking, another expense or another financial goal to consider - and sometimes the idea of taking a proper holiday feels much harder than it sounds.

Providing excellent care is only part of running a professional pet-sitting business. The pets may be getting everything they need, but what happens when the payment for that care gets left behind?