Hi, we're Owen and Katy, two retired language teachers eager to slow travel our way around the world. We have taught in the States and internationally (Jamaica and West Africa), but we're not quite ready to settle down just yet.
Making connections is the essence of life. We would like to extend our cultural and personal connections while putting you at ease during your travels. You can relax while we care for your pets and home.
We are both seasoned international travelers and multi-lingual (English, Spanish & French). We owned a house while our children were at home, always had dogs and cats, and relished every moment. Now that our children are grown and we have retired from teaching, we are looking forward to enlarging our cultural experiences while caring for your home and pets as if they were our own. We are enthusiastic walkers, non-smokers, but we do enjoy the (health) benefits of a glass of wine.
We could not have asked for better house sitters than Owen and Katy Fine. Being our first time leaving our home and dog to strangers, we were a little nervous. But they immediately put us at ease starting with the first meeting. We were gone for nearly 3 weeks and, through all of the daily pictures and reports they sent us, we knew that Nacho was a happy camper. We were able to relax and enjoy our vacation knowing that he was in good hands. When we arrived home, everything in the house was just as neat and clean as the first day we left, if not cleaner. We were surprised to find a delicious banana nut bread waiting for us.
Thank you, Owen and Katy for taking such great care of Nacho and our home.
Owen and Kate are stellar prospects for your housesit. We arranged a housesit at least a month ahead of time…and then I unexpectedly sold my house! Apologetically, I asked if they were willing to follow me downhill and house&cat sit in my new place. They were very kind and generously agreed to do so. Then I broke my shoulder during the move and had to cancel my trip. Now I felt even worse since I had to cancel the housesit all together. Again, they were understanding and sympathetic; miraculously, but not surprising given their extraordinary ratings here, they found another housesit to fill the gap in their plans. This eased some of my embarrassment and chagrin but I do want to vouch for their organization&communication, reliability, and self-sufficiency---all called on in these unusual circumstances. We've agreed to try to set up a future sit; now that I'm settled and nearly able to travel, they are certainly at the top of my list and should be on yours as well, given this odd and enthusiastic recommendation from a housesit that has not yet happened!
Brian and I cannot say enough great things about Owen and Katy Fine. From Skyping with them and feeling an instant comfortable feeling while getting to know them to actually meeting them in person, they are true to what they seemed to be. They took our three pups for daily six mile walks which they loved! They sent pictures daily of one or all of the pups. We loved it! Just what we needed to feel so happy to have left our 'Kids' with the Fines. When we arrived home the house was clean and Katy made us dessert. Who could ask for more?!
Thanks so much for this wonderful review. We had so much fun with Lambeau, Guinness and Pajamas and especially enjoyed walking in the park right behind your house. We still smile when we think of Pajamas burrowing under the covers. Thanks for choosing us and glad you enjoyed your trip too!
Owen and Katy are extremely reliable and trustworthy. They will treat your house with TLC and leave it nicer than it was when you left. They are the type of people who others go to for advice and help. When our kids were in an emergency situation, Katy and Owen were the first people they sought help from. They told us it was because they see them as so knowledgable and "Mom and Dad-like." And happily this situation ended up well, Katy and Owen provided just the right help our kids needed at a moment of crisis...we were so grateful! We also have a dog that Katy and Owen interacted with and treated playfully and lovingly. These two are extremely well traveled, adaptable, resourceful and perfect for housesitting jobs. I give them the highest ratings possible!
As the de facto landlord for a property which Owen and Katy Fine occupied, I would rate them as outstanding tenants. They took care of the property as if it was their own and I never had to worry about any issue that arose with the property as they attended to it immediately and were always accessible. I would strongly recommend them to be house sitters for any property for which they were interested in occupying.
I highly recommend Owen Fine in the capacity of a house sitter. He and his wife Katy are caring and thoughtful as well as discreet and organized. Owen and Katy are seasoned expats who have encountered a number of challenging living situations; they are resourceful and competent in handling home and pet related details and will insure that your home and pets are well cared for in your absence.