Melissa

My name is Melissa. I am a born and raised Minnesotan. And that has made me a pretty tough, yet adaptable person. I started travelling in 2014. I spent time on the West coast before heading abroad to Czech Republic, Italy and Taiwan. I then did a really fun US tour, IA, SC, GA, OH (SC pulled me back multiple times, It was a hard one to quit). I met my husband in Charleston and 4 years ago, yes is 2020, we got married and my husband started a phd program at Purdue. We then started out on the great home owning adventure. Its a fun challenge. But, I have been in Indiana now for 4 years, the house is in a perfect place for one person maintenance and my dogs are 6, chill enough and far enough removed from the pandemic for one persons love to sustain them. It feels like the right time to start traveling again for different experiences.

My goal for the house sit is to experience, reflect and decompress. I am an acute care dialysis nurse. This past season has been incredibly difficult. My team and I have experienced a lot of loss. When dealing with chronic diseases you tend to make deep connections with your patients and their families. The unfortunate reality is watching people decompensate, get progressively sicker and pass is a part of the job. I love my job and feel honored to get to be a steady and familiar part of the process. But, I am tired. This next trip is my effort to be able to reconnect with myself and fill my cup so that I am able to show up for my patients and my team. I love to connect with new people and places and expand in as many different directions as possible. I am spiritual and am also looking to take some time to meditate, practice yoga and reflect.

I am well acquainted with the needs of cats, dogs, and birds. I grew up with cats and raised a couple of birds. My husband and I adopted 2 greyhounds in 2020. Being a full time dog mama, making all the decisions, spending all the money, training and being their number one has been a joy I didn't know. We have also fostered 2 greyhounds. One coming straight from the track that morning. Teaching him home life was a difficult joy. He took a lot of patience and taught us a lot about how our actions as humans affected his learning and ability to adapt. I have house sat for 2, 3 year old German Shepards for 5 weeks and 3 doxies, a lab, and a cat for a 10 days. My last sit had me in more of a 'house manager' position. Watching mail, watering plants, and keeping the lawn mowed. I am aware that every animal and job has different requirements and look forward to talking with you about what your special friend needs. While I am flexible, I am aware of the routines many animals depend on and the necessity of maintaining a consistent discipline structure for an animal's well being. As well as making a transition to and from me, the house sitter, smooth.

I don't have much experience with other types of animals, but I follow directions really well and am willing to be trained to care for other types of animals as there is need and as an owner feels confident in giving me the knowledge to do the job well.

I am responsible, reasonable and ready to take on the care of your beloved animals and home!

If you have any questions please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!