the family when I was a teenager and he was just a puppy. Bruno was a German Shepherd/Black Labrador mix. Bruno was smart, loyal and extremely lovable. While school and sports kept me very busy during the week, a lot of weekends were spent walking Bruno. Once I could drive, Bruno got to go for car rides, too. While my brother and I would routinely bathe Bruno, it was me that took care of him when he got sprayed by a skunk. By the look on Bruno’s face, he couldn’t stand the smell either. Bruno patiently sat in the tub for hours while I washed him with tomato juice.

Animals have always been very important to me.  My husband David jokes that when a dog or cat enters the room, all people disappear. He is absolutely correct. My heart has always been filled with compassion for them. Caring for pets and ensuring that they are healthy and happy has been a central aspect of my daily life for as long as I can remember. Early on, neighbors saw my potential as a responsible, loving pet sitter. I have been pet sitting since I was a teen. I will always remember my first “clients”, Ozzy and Harriet, two large beautiful Tabby cats. However, I wish I could forget the day Ozzy brought me a special gift, a mouse he apparently caught just for me. While I felt bad for the mouse, I could appreciate Ozzy’s gesture and was sure to thank him for his thoughtfulness.

David and I moved into our first house in 2002. For me, this meant that we could finally adopt a pet (or two). Since both of us worked outside of the home, we decided to adopt cats. Two months after moving into our new home, we adopted Mojo and Jinx, kittens rescued from a feral cat colony by the Neponset Valley Humane Society. The house felt like a home.

In 2005, David’s work brought the whole family to Parker, Colorado. Mojo and Jinx took their first plane ride, which lucky for David and I, turned out to be pretty uneventful. Cats don’t usually do well with change, but Mojo and Jinx adapted well to their new home; perhaps because they got to help with the unpacking process. Cats love boxes.

A few years later, David and I were ready to adopt a dog. I was working from home and knew I would have the time to commit to another addition to the family. After months of searching local adoption agencies, something about Brewster’s blurry picture and bio on the ABRN website spoke to us. Brewster’s transition into the household wasn’t smooth at first. However, after getting help from a local dog trainer, setting some boundaries for Brewster, and multiple daily clicker training sessions, it was smooth sailing. You see, Brewster is very smart; therefore he can get into lots of trouble without proper direction and leadership. In 2009, Pixie captured our hearts and joined the family. She was also adopted from ABRN. To hear more about (or from) Brewster, Pixie, Mojo and Jinx check out Brewster’s Blog. Turns out these family pets have a lot to say.

While pets have always been a big part of my home life, in 2004, while still living in Massachusetts, I wanted to help other local pets. I started volunteering for the Billerica Cat Care Coalition. This non-profit organization addresses the local feral cat colony issue. They help adoptable cats find homes and have a vigorous Trap, Neuter, and Release program for cats that would not be able to adjust to being adopted. When it was time to move to Colorado, I was sad to say good bye to the BCCC folks I met and to the fulfilling work. Once in Colorado, I immediately started volunteering for animal organizations. I walked dogs for the Colorado Humane Society and later began volunteering for the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL). Like all DDFL volunteers, I began by cleaning dog kennels, which was surprisingly rewarding. I liked knowing that I was making the dogs’ temporary stay at the shelter more pleasant. After cleaning kennels and taking dogs out for fresh air in the yard, I moved onto the Behavior Department helping with their Head Start and Canine Courage programs.  In these programs we used positive reinforcement training to teach dogs manners which made them more adoptable. We also worked with shy dogs to give them more confidence in new situations and with different people. This experience had a great impact on me. In my heart I knew that every dog deserved a chance at being a happy family pet. This experience with DDFL showed me how that was possible. I have the utmost respect for all that DDFL does. I still volunteer with the DDFL, occasionally helping with their various annual events when my schedule allows.

During the first two years after relocating to Colorado, I worked with a non-profit organization and contracted/telecommuted for the company I had worked for in Massachusetts. After realizing that the highlight of my day was spent with my pets and my neighbors’ pets, I decided to follow my passion. I started a business based on my love of pets and providing peace of mind for other pet owners. It was then, that Step In Pet Care was born.

While I still do some pet sitting, my main focus is helping other professional, conscientious, animal-loving pet sitters do what they love and to provide top notch pet care for Step In Pet Care’s growing service area and client base.

and run up to my room when horses were shot in western movies. I would also sit by the edge of our little backyard pool and save all the bugs from drowning. So you can imagine how much love and compassion I have for dogs and cats. Simply put - I love animals!

I am notorious for picking up strays! My husband likes to tell people about the time we were on a ski trip in Durango. While driving through Durango, we saw a stray dog walking along the side of a busy street. I demanded that my husband stop the car so we could save the dog before he was hit. After we managed to get the dog safely into our car, we snuck him into our hotel room until we could find the address to the nearest Humane Society.

There is nothing that brings me more pleasure than caring for pets. I have been pet sitting for friends and neighbors for over 20 years, so when the opportunity to join Nadene’s team presented itself, I didn’t have to think twice about it.

When I am not taking care of pets and/or my two teenage daughters, I am working on fulfilling my other passion – helping people. I have been working part time as a clinical intern/therapist at a domestic violence agency. In June 2010, I will complete my Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. Sometimes I even like to practice my counseling skills on the animals that I care for, and I really think that they listen! Nadene jokes with me and calls me the “cat whisperer’. Who knows – maybe Nadene and I can combine services some day!

driving Tristens around town in his station wagon.

Since moving to Colorado I have been watching friends and neighbors pets. When the opportunity came about to join the Step In Pet Care team, I jumped at the chance. Being a stay at home dad keeps me very busy. Caring for my two children and young Welsh Corgi, Maggie May is quite a balancing act and makes for a busy schedule, but it also enables me to pet sit again, which I love doing. While the kids are in school I can help those working pet parents by taking their “kids” out for a bio-break or walk. I also pet sit on weekends while my wife is home with our children. I’m happy to be pet sitting again. I think it's great to be doing what you like to do.