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.

What happens when caring for pets isn’t just your job, but your whole day? From dog walks and pet visits to meals, fresh water, litter boxes and playtime, the list of things to do can seem endless. And when I finally get home, there are still pets waiting for me with their own meals, litter boxes, cuddles and needs. This is a look at what it’s really like when pet care follows you from one home to the next - and then continues when you walk through your own front door.

Pet sitting might look like cuddles, walks and happy pets, but there’s another part of the job that happens long before I reach the front door: the journey. Between motorways, roundabouts, holiday traffic and drivers who seem to think they’re starring in Fast & Furious, getting to an appointment can sometimes feel like an adventure of its own. I often find myself wishing for one simple piece of technology - a teleport button. Because as lovely as virtual work can be, dogs still need someone to physically show up.

I never imagined I would become a Professional Pet Sitter. After a turbulent period in my life and the heartbreaking loss of my two beloved dogs within hours of each other, an unexpected idea appeared while I was doing something ordinary: housework. This is the story of how that idea changed the direction of my life.