Greetings.

Like you, I am a pet owner, and my pets are my companions who get the best I can offer to make their lives happy! And, like you, from time-to-time, I need the services of a professional pet sitter, and I want a person who is not only a qualified, compassionate professional, but a person who cares about my animals the way they would care for their own.

Animals have always been a part of my life.  And, as long as I've had neighbors, family, and friends who have pets, I've provided pet sitting services for them!  In my pet experiences, I've bottle-fed an abandoned kitten, cared for a cat with leukemia, given insulin injections, logged miles of dog-walking, cared for senior animals, and thoroughly enjoyed lots of hours of TLC, play, and interaction with some of the most interesting personalities I've ever met! 

I've had a wonderful collection of dogs and cats stop by my life, all of them strays who found me!! I currently share a household with Sam, a black and white shorthair who is 15-years-old (that's the bottle-fed kitten!).  Sam and I just lost Murphy at the end of  December at the age of 18, so as our lives adjust without her, (Murph is very much missed), I am sure 2008 will bring new additions to this pet household.

Besides my own love and respect of animals, I believe in connecting with animals on their level.  I am a huge fan of Cesar Millan, NGC's Dog Whisperer, and his ideas. I admire his understanding of the essences of dogs and the people who love them.

And, when I was taking horseback riding lessons many years ago, a friend recommended an excellent book called The Body Language of Horses.  The book offered this unique perspective that carried insight into the body language, social structure, and DNA-based, innate perspective of the horse.  I applied this new-found knowledge and changed perspective to the horses I rode.  I became a better rider and my "equine relationships" changed dramatically -- especially with Elvis, the personality-filled 16-plus hand quarter horse I took most of my lessons on.  (This was a very beautiful, very cool horse.)  Elvis and I connected (that means he stopped jerking me around!), started communicating successfully, and we developed this great friendship.

Understanding perspective, body language, and social structure applies to all animals -- human and non! This understanding helps me connect quickly with animals I am just meeting and has certainly enhanced the experiences I have with my own pets and the animals I know.  It also helps me understand the animals around me, like the birds at the birdfeeders (did you know the nuthatch and tufted titmouse won't show up at your feeder until the chickadee checks things out first?), neighborhood squirrels, or the raccoons that visit my yard.

The presence of animals in our lives makes our lives richer.  And, as pets become a bigger part of our lives, when you can't be home, while it's not you, a qualified, pet-care professional who understands the role your pets play in your life and, you in theirs, is of the utmost importance and should be the next best thing to you.

I provide a depth of knowledge from decades of pet care for myself, friends, neighbors, and family that will keep your pet safe, cared-for, and happy when you can't be home or may need assistance.

Thanks for stopping by the NorthStar Pet site, I hope you will consider NorthStar Pet Services as your pet sitter service of choice.  I look forward to knowing you and your pets.

Good thoughts.

Linda.

References Available Upon Request