Introduction
My wife (Diane) and I enjoy housesitting since we love taking care of pets, traveling and meeting new people. I (Pete) am a New Zealander who grew up on a sheep farm but as an adult lived overseas; however, we are returning to live permanently in New Zealand beginning Jan 2, 2018. We are currently traveling in Europe before returning to live in NZ permanently. Our European travels include housesits in France, Portugal and Spain. On return to NZ, we have a housesit organized in Hastings. We are looking forward to exploring additional housesitting opportunities anywhere in NZ during the remainder of 2018. We are both retired and have extensive experience taking care of both houses and a variety of pets. We pride ourselves in having the time to take loving care of pets with attention to any specific needs explained by the owners. We will happily provide house and pet updates, photos etc. during our housesits.
Our Housesitting Experience
We began housesitting in Nelson on a trip back to New Zealand in 2015/16 taking care of one dog. In France, we took care of an elderly standard poodle, a cat and a fish. In Portugal, we took care of two large dogs and a cat. In Spain, we are taking care of many indoor plants, including a roof top garden. In New Zealand we will housesit in Hastings Jan 4th to 15, taking care of 2 large dogs, 6 cats and some chooks. We have references from previous house sits, plus personal references that are a part of our profile. We also welcome phone interviews via phone or Skype.
Our Backgrounds
I am now 61 while Diane is 60. I grew up on a sheep farm in Southland, went to Southland Boys High School and completed a bachelor's in science at the University of Otago. On my OE, I spent time working at ski resorts and construction companies, and then completed graduate work at New Mexico State University. Like myself, Diane also grew up in a country setting, for her this was on a cattle ranch in Northern New Mexico. Diane and I raised two daughters while I worked for thirty years in research and development primarily at two large US companies. We traveled to New Zealand most Christmas holidays visiting family and friends and traveling around New Zealand. We wanted our daughters to be able to feel like New Zealanders. After our daughters grew older, Diane studied studio and therapeutic yoga instruction. She has also taught yoga in studios, a workplace, privately and in a hospital setting.
While our children were growing up, we cared for and loved a variety of pets including dogs, cats, a rabbit, rats, mice, chickens, budgies and a cockatiel. In addition to taking care of many pets over the years, we have owned and maintained homes and gardens for 25+ years. We both grew up on farms and are practical people who are comfortable with taking care of animals and gardens. Both of us are physically active and like to stay fit. Diane likes to garden and has created and maintained flower and veggie gardens at all of our homes.
Couple
Peter and Diane looked after our home for 3 months over winter. We do not have any animals but we wanted to have our house lived in and they were asked to tend to the gardens and grounds so when we came home they were in good order and not needing our immediate attention.
We came home to a very clean and tidy house, and gardens and lawns done. It was also evident that the yards, driveway area had been blown clean of leaves and the main windows where we have our view had been cleaned. ... MORE
Diane and Peter were great house sitters. They communicated with us throughout the entire 5 and a half weeks trip about how our two cats were getting along, even skyping us occasionally. They tended to our garden and kept the house clean and tidy.
We would have them stay again any time. Ruby and Tristan
