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Dona & Michael

Traveling Mom and Son

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at House Sitters America, United States. User Traveling Mom and Son
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About us

groupCouple

75, Retired

55, retired

sellRates
Free

After spending 6 years traveling through Mexico and South America, we are now back in the US doing ... Read moreAfter spending 6 years traveling through Mexico and South America, we are now back in the US doing house and pet sitting.

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favoriteWhy we love house sitting

We love having the chance to love on different pets and really enjoy the concept of housesitting where we get to travel to other areas and be of use by taking care of pets and homes.

Hi, thanks for taking the time to look at our profile.

We are active, non-smoking, retired mother and son, blessed with excellent health and ready to take good care of your home and pets while you are away. We are originally from Oregon but have been traveling outside the US for 8 years. We are easy going and low-key. Other than some local hiking and exploration, we will most likely be playing with your pets and taking care of your home. We have a great love for pets and plants. We enjoy and ... Read moreHi, thanks for taking the time to look at our profile.

We are active, non-smoking, retired mother and son, blessed with excellent health and ready to take good care of your home and pets while you are away. We are originally from Oregon but have been traveling outside the US for 8 years. We are easy going and low-key. Other than some local hiking and exploration, we will most likely be playing with your pets and taking care of your home. We have a great love for pets and plants. We enjoy and are familiar with lawn and garden maintenance and most facets of property upkeep having been homeowners, we both know our way around a toolbox, so your property and home will be in good hands.

Some background:
Michael has traveled quite bit in his life, speaks Spanish and a smattering of other languages and has been my interpreter and travel partner. I was blessed to have both my parents with me for many years until they passed. Mom passed a few years ago and my son came up with a brilliant idea of traveling, since I was free for the first time in my life. The only caveat was I had to get rid of most of my belongings. I didn't think it was possible (it was). What a sense of freedom! Long story short...we started traveling in Mexico then continued on through South America. We spent 3 years in Buenos Aires as we were caught during the lock down in March 2020 and decided to stay awhile after the borders opened. I told my son I would try this "traveling thing" for 6 months...we were gone for 8 years. I find traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures and food, in this very small world, very rewarding and exciting.

Why we want to house sit:
We needed to get back to the States to take care of some business, so we thought why not try House and Pet Sitting. Michael is an "animal whisperer" and is very good with all animals. He loves to walk and hike with dogs. We would be honored to love and take care of your pets and home while you are away.

Our experience:
We have been fortunate to have so many wonderful personal reviews through our Airbnb stays while we were traveling and several of our hosts and their families have become good friends that we stay in touch with. Our Airbnb reviews show our character and how respectfully we will treat your home. Our house setting experience so far has been with family in Oregon, Colorado and Buenos Aires, but we are now accumulating some "reviews" on this site for the United States. We like to do longer term house sits.

Communication:
We will gladly communicate as much as you'd like as we want you to enjoy your trip and be comfortable with the knowledge that your pets and home are being well taken care of. We respect other people's homes and possessions and will take care of your home and beloved pets as if they were our own! Your home will be in the same condition you left it.

So, go ahead and book your trip, everything is going to be great, we want you to travel with peace of mind! Thank you for considering us for your next get away! We promise not to disappoint!

Dona & Michael

WHERE ARE WE NOW?
We came back to the United States to renew our Passports and did an 11 month sit in Boston; a couple sits in Oregon, New York and Phoenix.

A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION ABOUT OUR DOG (March 2025):
In two of our reviews there is mention of our precious little poodle travel companion. She is sadly no longer with us, so at the moment we are without any pets of our own.

...Also...
HERE ARE SOME REVIEWS FROM Airbnb
(most are translated from Spanish):

"Good guests!! Dona and her son have been very good guests! Communication and organization were very simple from the beginning. They adapted well to our culture, took precautions and enjoyed their stay. They have kept the apartment and plants in optimal conditions and took very good care of my precious dogs. Highly recommend as guests and taking care of my home and two dogs. They are very trusted and are now considered part of our family."
Buenos Aires, Argentina
January 30, 2020 - June 1, 2022
PRIVATE FEEDBACK:
"My mother and I hope you enjoyed your stay at our home. We appreciate you taking care of the house and dogs so Mom could come to Mallorca for the birth of the baby. I hope you will stay in contact us from where you are in the world. Please come visit me in Mallorca. A hug!"
Delia's daughter Naara - Mallorca, Spain
NOTE: We started out here as Airbnb guests, then rented directly, then agreed to house and pet sit so owner so could travel to Spain for the birth of her first grandchild, which turned into a 6-month house and pet sit.
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"Dona and her son were respectful and friendly guests. They were understanding with our need to show the apartment to future renters while they were there. They respected our apartment and left it very clean and tidy. I highly recommend them to any host."
Guillermo (Mother-Marta, host) - Buenos Aires, Argentina
December 31-January 30, 2020
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Very polite and great guests! Left apartment very clean. I recommend.
Valentin (Mother-Maria) - San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
December 16-31, 2019
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Dona and Michael entered as guests and in 2 months became great friends who we will always be willing to receive. People of great human quality. Continue your great journey and hopefully you return soon. 100% recommended.
Mauro - Cordoba, Argentina
October 21-December 16, 2019
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We were delighted to rent our home to Dona and Michael while they were in Loja. They are wonderful people and took excellent care of our family home and were very respectful. Guests of the highest caliber. They are welcome back anytime.
Maria - Malacatos, Ecuador
May 26-July 16, 2019
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Dona is a beautiful lady, very sincere, affectionate and fun for me. It was a great pleasure to have you in my house. I hope you come back soon. Loving greetings to you and Michael, we enjoyed you both so much.
Ivonne - Loja, Ecuador
May 19-26, 2019
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Dona and Michael were excellent guests, we will always remember them. We loved sharing with you, and you will always be welcome. Highly recommended as guests and people.
Santiago & Zilpa House (Lorena) - Cuenca, Ecuador
April 25-May 4, 2019
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Dona and her son have been the best guests I've ever had. Totally recommend and hope they return.
Santiago - Medellin, Colombia
March 8-15, 2019
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Dona and her son were kind and caring guests. Mindful and appreciative of our home with all its details. They are on an amazing adventure! I hope I get a chance to hear more about it in the future. I would absolutely recommend them if you ever got a chance to host them at your place.
Tanita - Cartagena, Colombia
March 5-8, 2019
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Dona and Michael were lovely, friendly guests that took wonderful care of my apartment. They are welcome back anytime. It was a pleasure getting to know you.
Rose Marie - Oaxaca, Mexico
December 15, 2018-January 10, 2019
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Dona and Michael rented my apartment for a month and were very high caliber guests. They took excellent care of the apartment and left it clean. They are very respectful and are welcome back anytime.
Elia - Morelia, Mexico
October 31-December 1, 2018
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Dona and her son are guests of great human quality. They adapt with great simplicity to the place where they arrive. They love our Mexico and our culture. I'm so happy to meet you. I highly recommend them. They will be welcome guests whenever they wish. Keep in touch.
Virginia - Morelia, Mexico
October 19-31, 2018

NOTE FROM DONA:
These are just a few reviews. We have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people on our journey that are now friends.

PS:
We have since been to Albania, Istanbul and Ireland...and still going.

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Pet care

petsWilling to care for these pets

DogsDogs
CatsCats
FishFish
BirdsBirds
Rabbits/Guinea PigsRabbits/Guinea Pigs
Chickens/Ducks/GeeseChickens/Ducks/Geese
Farm AnimalsFarm Animals
ReptilesReptiles

Trust

Platinum member36 months+
reviews5 star reviews

Availability

eventNext 12 months

Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul

eventCurrent bookings

2026: 24 Jun - 6 Nov

chairOn a house-sit right now

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

1 - 2 months, 2 months +

where_to_votePreferred locations

Anywhere in the United States

Reviews (4)

We are so grateful to have found Dona and Michael. They are the nicest people, so easy to connect with. They lavished love on our cat Mercy for the 5 months we were away. That really put our minds at ease. Michael took excellent care of the pool and maintenance things around the house; they left it in great shape which is wonderful to come home to! We now consider them good friends and happily give them the highest recommendation!
Thank you both, it was so great getting to know both of you (Kyle too). We will carry you in our hearts forever as we travel and we will stay in touch.
Dona & Michael did a great job house sitting. We particularly appreciated Dona's meticulous care of our plants and enthusiasm she showed through the pictures she sent us as new blooms appeared. There were a few incidents which were handled by Michael that were basic homeowner maintenance. The house was organized and clean (to our standards) when we arrived home which was a great relief and much appreciated. Due to scheduling, Dona & Michael requested to stay a bit longer ... MoreDona & Michael did a great job house sitting. We particularly appreciated Dona's meticulous care of our plants and enthusiasm she showed through the pictures she sent us as new blooms appeared. There were a few incidents which were handled by Michael that were basic homeowner maintenance. The house was organized and clean (to our standards) when we arrived home which was a great relief and much appreciated. Due to scheduling, Dona & Michael requested to stay a bit longer after we got home which we readily agreed. They did a very good job and we would have them sit again if requested.

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Thank you, Don & Charley it has been an absolute pleasure getting to spend some time since your return and to get to know you both. You will both remain a happy memory as we continue our travels.
Dona and Michael took excellent care of both our home and our pet during their seven week stay in our home. They were easy to reach by text while we were away and let us know when there were issues which required our attention.
Michael and Dona were absolutely amazing. Not only were they great with our dogs, they were also extremely handy and helpful around the house and our tenant downstairs. They helped out with minor repairs. Letting us know of any major issues that came up in a timely manner. Their dog Ninja is absolutely the sweetest. Michael made sure all the dogs got along well. Initially I was concerned about introducing another dog into the house, but upon meeting them, immediately lost all worries. ... MoreMichael and Dona were absolutely amazing. Not only were they great with our dogs, they were also extremely handy and helpful around the house and our tenant downstairs. They helped out with minor repairs. Letting us know of any major issues that came up in a timely manner. Their dog Ninja is absolutely the sweetest. Michael made sure all the dogs got along well. Initially I was concerned about introducing another dog into the house, but upon meeting them, immediately lost all worries. My two older dogs ate well and got plenty of exercise and are now in great shape. They are much healthier now than when we left them. We extended our housesitting arrangement twice, so they were here for 11 months. Really wish they could have stayed longer, as they felt like family.

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Garden maintenance

Green garden!

Make sure the garden and potted plants are thriving when you return home. A house sitter will do this for you.

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