Have You Tried Pet Sitting?

When I was introduced to pet sitting by my uncle back in the '80s, I was swamped by numerous offers and my summer vacation at their home in Orlando, Florida turned out to be a full-time job. Uncle Dave liked animals more than kids, and he didn't mind the cats and dogs that stayed for the weekend in their bungalow. He had a large garage which we converted to a comfortable shelter for our stay-ins. I split the earnings with him and we were the happiest duo.

The animals we cared for were extraordinary characters, there was Bronco, the motorcycle-riding German shepherd, and Honey, the Angora cat (whose owner, a female U.S. Marine fed her fish fillets and gave her Evian water to drink). There was also Choco, the chocolate retriever who loves the beach and a myna bird called Tong, owned by a Thailander woman who was married to my uncle's best friend. Tong can talk and was a real embarrassment to the public, he gave lewd compliments to every girl he saw.

These animals stayed with us whenever their owners had to take long trips away from their pets. They were active military people who can't help being called away to duty. Although the U.S. base offered sitting services for pets, they preferred their friends to be with people they know and love animals.

Sadly, those pet-sitting summers had to end when my uncle went to South Korea after ten years of being stationed in the country. I found another job as a writer/artist and had my son to raise. But one day, my best friend once again gave me the opportunity to sit for pets. He introduced me to a junior executive, Armand, and his cat, Solange. Armand had to fly to Hawaii for his well-earned vacation and he didn't want to leave Solange to an animal hospital.

Solange can home with me in her kitty carrier and spent the happy weekend with us. She also gave me additional income and some fringe benefits from the grateful Armand who bought my cats a 10-kilo bag of their favorite cat food. He now keeps my number in case he needs my services again.

Pet sitting can be a fun part-time job for anyone who loves pets.

OTHER PET SERVICES YOU CAN DO:

- Dog-walkers are pretty much in demand today. They get paid by the hour and you can have more than one client a day.
- Aquarium cleaners are also a good way to earn extra cash. If fish are your kind of pet, go for this sideline job.
- Walk-in pet keepers. This is like the services that housekeepers do, but involves only the client's pet. They go to an owner's place each morning to feed, clean up, give baths, groom, take them to the vet or keep pets company because they're too busy at work to do the job.