I am a retired Army Officer of 25 years service. I love doing things for people which is why I have been proactive with a number of volunteer agencies including Canteen, Wires, Rotary and foster caring. I have had a couple of pets but now deceased so I am more than happy to help look after other pets. Being an Army Officer I am very reliable, clean and trustworthy....... and diligent. I have my own home in Jamberoo so I know what it is like to have someone that can look after a property like your own.... and particularly your pets. I love walking and I am happy to walk dogs. Music is great and I love to play my eukelele and pets love the music (sorry to say friends aren't so fussed). I have been to Cambodia a few times with the local church group to build huts which was money raised to pay for the huts and I also had my own Rotary Australia Wide Community Service program to go to East Timor to teach English for two months in Dili on my retirement from the Army.I was trained as a Portugese and Tetum linguist through the Army in Victoria.Dogs are very precious and I am happy to have them indoors. I had a cavoodle and Buddy always sat at the back of the lounge with me and he was my first dog with moving around so much in the Army I couldn't have a dog. Apart from my service in the Army I also had my interior decorating and design business as I took 12 months on Leave Without Pay from work to study for my Dip of Interior Decorating and Design to provide me with some sort of balance outside the "green skin".I am a quiet person and apart from the time with my family I spend quite a bit of time with myself..... and preferably pets. Being new to Newcastle I have joined a wonderful organisation called U3A and I am really enjoying being around such wonderful people .
The reason I would love to house sit is to give people who have pets to have an opportunity to get away knowing their pets are being looked after. I only once had to put my cavoodle into pet care and I have never seen him run so fast when I went to pick him up and the way he jumped straight into the car as if to say: Mummy never let me go back there again. People need to get away on a holiday knowing their sacred little pets are being looked after. I still am not sure where I want to live and I am in no hurry. Nice to be able to say that and so if I can offer to help a person's situation while exploring and loving little pets that is great for everyone.
Let's say that I have looked after a number of houses but informally (rather than through an agency) as friends go away. As you would be aware to be a foster carer and also I have had my house up for house holiday letting my house would be pretty meticulous. The main experience is as I moved around for 25 years in Defence and the rentals I left where always in a better condition than what they were when I moved in. Experience tells me what to look for, be observant and be appreciative of anyone who can look after your property as much as they look after theirs.
I have known Helen for 14 years and meet her while she was still working as Major in the Australian Army. I highly recommend Helen as very suitable to house mind as her own house is always well presented, clean and she has a genuine interest in pets, having owned them herself, and knows what is involved in caring for them. Please contact me on my mobile if you wish to further discuss Helen's suitability to house mind.
Helen has been a pleasure to deal with over the years. She has kept her own property in immaculate condition at all time and even loves tinkering out in the gardens. She is a very lovely, caring person. I have no doubts she will be a great asset to any house and pet to have her her on board.