A couple of weeks ago, someone called into our office and asked if we could give them suggestions for a pet sitter. My co-worker, knowing my current financial situation, suggested me as a likely candidate. The requestor of the sitter, a client of our office, was in need of someone to care for her dog, Ella, over the upcoming weekend.
Ella, the dog, is a fairly small white dog with a curly coat. She is older and her owner dotes on her very much. When I spoke with the client I did not realize actually who she or Ella was. I readily agreed to meet and discuss the opportunity for me to “sit” with Ella over the weekend. I was given directions to the house and we agreed upon a time to meet.
The house to which I drove is in the “Pennisula”. If you live near me, you recognize the term. It is a “posh” community on Lake Norman. The houses are huge and ostentatious. And, it is a “desired” address for most who live in the area.
I arrived at the stated time and was greeted by Ella and her owner. The house was not “on the water” but was still a huge domicile. It was built on a smaller lot, the building taking up most of the space. The front was brick and cedar with a huge glass front door. I was adequately impressed.
The owner and Ella allowed me entrance into the house. There was some small talk, then we got down to business. Seems that her previous sitter was no longer available..”her website is down and she is not answering the phone”. Maybe that statement should have given me cause to pause but, I did not take heed….
I was given a tour of the home. Shown where the essentials were. Then, we discussed the care and feeding of Ella. Seems Ella has a very definite routine you must follow to ensure success… Ella actually eats better than I do! Nightly, she has her own sous chef who creates meals just for her. Seems she gets premium sirloin tips which are sauted then diced perfectly for a delicate doggie to eat. The “tips” are topped off with parmesean chees freshly grated over the still warm meat.
But….before she eats, you take a “cookie” (dog treat), break it in half and throw half of it in the hallway for her to contemplate and later eat after she has batted it around for a while. While dinner is cooking, Ella is involved with that activity. After dinner is ready, it is placed on the floor for her highness. Don’t forget the fresh bottled water…no tap water for her! “Keep both the bowls, here and in the bedroom filled.” Seems Ella might like a drink and might not want to leave the confines of the boudoir….
Ella will walk on a leash but prefers to be “free”. She will follow her owner anywhere. Not sure she would follow me….so I opted for the leash while I was there…She was actually good about putting on the harness and walking on the leash.
I was shown the car seat and given instructions about where to place it in my vehicle if I decided to take Ella for a drive. “She likes to sit behind you. And, the window must be opened only just enough for her to enjoy the air but to also guard her safety….She likes to bark at other animals you know.”
I was told that the refrigerator contents, the pantry contents, and the contents of the freezer in the garage were at my disposal. I was also asked if I had any requests from the grocery that were not already in the house. The owner was very gracious in that aspect.
We took Ella for a walk. I was shown the routes she likes to take. “But, let her choose which route she will take.” It was drizzling rain….when we got back home, Ella immediately ran through the house and landed in her owner’s bed where she flipped and flopped, dampening everything in site.
As the meeting was drawing to a close, I was told that I would find instructions on how to operate the TV when I arrived the following Friday. I was walked to the door, house key in hand. I was almost to my car when the owner came out and informed me that her soon to be step son “may come by the house”….I was “under no circumstances” to let him in the house…”he steals things”. I should have taken this as a nother sign that the weekend would not be uneventful…
I arrived on Friday evening, things in tow, to sit with Ella. I had just put my things in the guest room and changed into shorts and a Tshirt when a teenager came riding up the driveway on his skatebord….I had been told to just walk away from the door and ignore him. I could not do so…But, I did not let him in either. I told him I was sorry but was told he could not enter the house. He stood there for a little while with a confused look on his face but finally turned and walked away. I did not see him for the rest of the weekend…thankfully.
Ella and I had an agreeable if not uneventful weekend. She did, in fact, eat better than I did. She is a sweet doggie…
