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.

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?

Being flexible is part of being a good pet sitter - but flexibility has a limit. When a last-minute request comes in, it can be tempting to rearrange your entire schedule to accommodate it. But what happens when making room for one client means moving another client who booked ahead?