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Barbara
Esposito 49 years old from London
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| I
have lived in North London for most of my life around the areas of Muswell
Hill and Potters Bar, but since the early 90’s I have lived in Palmers
Green with my husband and two children who are 12 and 14. Whilst growing
up we always had many pets, mainly cats and dogs, but also rabbits, hamsters
and budgies, they have always been a big part of my life. For five years I was an animal nurse at the RSPCA Hospital in Holloway (made famous by Rolf Harris) and I also worked in a veterinary practice in Devon. I then worked as a police officer for thirteen years. Since leaving I the police I have often looked after friends cats and dogs and had them staying with us when they are on holiday and a couple of years ago I puppy walked a Labrador for the Guide Dog Association which was great fun but difficult to give her back as we had all become so attached to her. At the moment I have my own 8-year-old black lab Holly who loves long walks anywhere! I have plenty of time to give, and looking forward to looking after other people’s pets and walking other dogs with Holly. |
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Charlie
Andersen |
| After
many years of toying with my dream of working with animals I finally resigned
from my city job in November 2002. Although having had many years experience
of caring for my own and friends pets I still felt the need to gain experience
in the pet care industry and therefore trained in a grooming shop for
7 months before going ahead and setting up on my own. A lot of hard work
and long hours but it is all well worth it and I am very lucky to have
an awesome support network of family, friends and colleagues all over
the pet industry. Since the age of 6 I have owned a variety of pet's including - fish, guinea pigs, rabbit, canary birds, cat and dog and have also always been happy to help friends and family with looking after their pets over weekends and holidays, giving me a great appreciation of the responsibility involved with looking after other peoples pets. I was 16 when my beloved dog Amigo entered my life. Throughout Amigo's long life I read a large variety of books on canine behavior and training as well as taking part in training classes and shows. I, as probably many pet owners, would at times have problems when going on holiday as friends and family would not always be able to help and I remember how heartbreaking it was for me (and I believe) Amigo to have to put him in. It is with this in mind and because I believe the dog walking and pet sitting industry often leaves a lot to be desired in terms of professionalism and safety, I have decided to take up the career of being a pet minder. I want to help others feel happy and safe in the knowledge that their beloved pet is looked after with all the love and attention it deserves and my reward; I get to spend all my time with wonderful furry friends it just doesn't’t get any better than that. |
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Elizabeth Hughes Areas: |
I work in the field of counseling and psychotherapy. I find my work incredibly rewarding but it can be difficult at times. I find being with animals an ideal antidote to the stress of city life. I have always had a strong affinity with animals and if I had the space and my housemates allowed it, I would love to keep a dog or a cat in my home. Regrettably this is not possible, but I do have a sweet hamster, Mary. She is active and funny with a unique little character - I love her so much. As well as caring for animals I enjoy photography, art, film, reading, writing and running. |
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Helen Moreton Areas: |
Animals have always been important to me: my first word was zoo! I’ve always spent lots of time watching wildlife, have learnt to ride, nursed sick and orphaned wild birds and of course socialized with as many dogs and cats as possible. As a kid we lived by a small lake and had lots of pets, including guinea pigs, gerbils and ducks, which I used to round up and bring in for the night using a canoe. When I moved to London 18 years ago I adopted two gorgeous kittens. Sadly Bea was pts last year at the age of 17. I still miss her so much. Lizzie is still with me, aged 18 and living well (if more sedately) in spite of multiple health problems. I’ve never had my own dog, but have lived with and sometimes cared for other peoples: several sweet mongrels, a hyperactive Jack Russell, GSDs and more. I believe in being firm but fair and kind, and keeping an open mind. What works for one dog might not work for another, and there’s always something to learn. I’ve worked as a volunteer in a children’s hospital play centre and as a domestic in old peoples homes. At the moment I work from home writing for a website. I keep fit training for and running marathons for charity, though I’m not exactly fast enough to keep up with a greyhound! I can’t have as many animals as I’d like right now. I’d like loads! So I spend as much time as possible with other peoples. I would love to spend some time caring for yours, whether they are young tearaways or lovely oldies. |
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Lindsey
Clarke Area: |
I’ve been a pet carer with Furry World since 2005 when I gave up my 9-5 to go back to University and rediscover my brain and I haven’t looked back. I now work as a freelance writer and administrator with flexible hours so looking after pets in my area while their families are away is an ideal addition to my varied work portfolio. Also, dog walking gets me out of the house, away from the computer, which is always a good thing! My family always had cats and I’ve adored animals as long I can remember. When I moved to London to study I missed the moggies, so began volunteering at Cats Protection in Archway and eventually, became a foster carer. Over an 18 month period I cared for more than 35 cats and kittens in my own home, including mums with litters and the odd feral! Inevitably, I fell head over heels in love with a pair of kittens in my care and adopted Stella and Cardigan in 2003 and that put an end to my fostering. Thankfully, they’ve learned to live with the fact that our house and garden sometimes get invaded by dogs or small pets on vacation and take it in their stride. Sometimes they look a bit bemused when I come home covered in other cats’ fur or smelling of dog but so far, they’ve always forgiven me. |
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Marianne Hardy 35 years old and from Nottinhamshire Area: Islington and surrounding Areas |
I currently work as a fitness instructor for the YMCA, where I teach both young and old to stay in tip top condition; I find this work very satisfying but recently I have felt a yearning to get back to nature and I spend a lot of my free time on Hampstead Heath envying happy dog walkers and the bond they share with their pets. Living in central london in a small studio it is not possible for me to have a dog full time and indeed not fair on them. I found out about this job as a dog walker and having some free time after completing my degree I felt it would be a perfect means to both commune with nature and reconnect with our fluffy friends. Having already walked a golden labrador recently I have rediscovered how rewarding it is. We have had dogs and cats in our family since ever I can remember> when i was a child we had a big old rottwieller who had the softest heart and later a wayward bloodhound labrador cross who was an expert escape artist - I remember many a long night scowering the local village for that crafty fellow! We currently have Mrs Brown grace our family with her presence; a chocolate labrador who has the wit of a comic and the intelligence of a master chess player, whenever I am home she makes such a fuss that I am compelled to take her for a long stroll over the hills immediately on landing. |
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Pia Waldthaler Areas: Islingotn and sourounding areas |
For the past 5 years I’ve been working in Milan in an Eating disorder rehab as a Dietitian. But after many years of dreaming of living in London my partner and I packed our things and moved here 6 months ago and we absolutely love London. I contacted Cat Care London because I have always loved animals! I enjoy horseback riding but enjoyed caring for horses as least as much as the riding itself. I have also had a hamster and guinea pigs and looked after friends cats. But my special love has always been dogs! I am also a bit of a bookworm so I read a lot about animals, breeds, animal care and animal behaviour. My dog Sissi, a Maltese-Westie Mix, had to stay with my mum when I moved to Milan and it broke my heart! It’s actually the only thing I miss about Italy because I can’t talk to her or cuddle her on the phone… But on the other hand I knew that in Milan I wouldn’t have enough time and space to care for her properly. I’m delighted to think that now I might be able to make it possibile for someone to have a pet even if they work or travel knowing that there is someone lovingly caring for it. |
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Polly & Nick Scarlett Area: |
Cats used to be my most favourite pets, but I have now been walking dogs for several months and I’m afraid these guys might be taking over! I feel a very special relationship with each of them, and not two are the same. Now they all know me and when we bump into each other out of their walks, they jump at me straight away and ask for more! |
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Sarah
& Casie Harper |
| I have been working
as a pet sitter for the last year and have come across many wonderful
animals in that time. It has been an enjoyable and fulfilling job and
has allowed me to put my years of pet ownership to good use. As a child
in the country I always wanted to work with animals and over the years
I have worked in a vets, at a pet rabbit farm and for three years I worked
for the RSPCA taking calls on their emergency line and volunteering at
a shelter. I have dealt with sick and injured Wildlife and domestic pets
and worked on many cruelty cases with the Inspectors.
Over the years I have had Cats, Dogs, Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Gerbils, Hamsters, Snakes, Terrapins, Spiders, Iguana’s, Lizards, Budgies, Cockatiels and Chinchilla’s. I currently share my home in Hornsey with my cats Winston and Bo, my Springer Spaniel Holly and last but by no means least my husband Casie! Casie has spent the last year welcoming all sorts of animals into our home and it was only a matter of time before he joined the team. He grew up in the West Indies surrounded by a variety of farm animals and his beloved Husky cross ‘Stanford’. He spent a year working at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and dealt with reptiles, birds, Lemurs, cows, horses and many other exotic animals. We are both looking forward to meeting many more interesting pets in the future |
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