About Margaret

I am a quiet, mature, experienced and responsible female. I only offer overnight/stay in your home services which means I'll be staying in your home, with your pet 24/7 while you are away. The only time I leave is to go to the shops. The service includes taking dogs for a walk each day at no extra cost and I'm totally OK being ignored or "managed" by your cat :-)

My experience includes 7 years of house and pet sitting assignments. Countries include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. I've minded jaunty mini poodles through to laid back Great Danes, along with many discerning cats, chickens and a hamster, all of whom trained me well.

The ages of my part-time pets range from a very cute 9-week old Pomeranian to a sweet 23-year-old cat plus an honourable mention to a spritely Jack Russell who was 19.

I like to keep things as routine as possible for your pets, so I'm very strict about keeping their food the same as you would serve and staying to their known routines. I work at home from my computer so they will have company for most of the day. They all sulk or sook a little for the first day or two so I make sure I don't need to leave them on their own until they're settled. Then we just keep their routine rolling until you return. The only times I need to leave them is to go out to get fresh supplies, otherwise, I'll be there with them most of the time. I only let people in who you've told me you want on the property so there should be little to disrupt your pet's routine.

The most common feedback I get from pet owners is "having you there gave us such peace of mind while we were away". I'm ready to love your pets and care for your property with the same love and attention.

I work in the Gold Coast area only, which could include the tip of Northern NSW. If in doubt drop me a line with your location and I'll check if you're in my vicinity.

I don't have any pets of my own so your pets will get my full love and attention. I call them my part-time pets.

The people most drawn to me have beautiful homes that are often well maintained by third-party service people such as gardeners, pool maintenance people and cleaners.

It will just be me coming and in the rare instance someone might visit, I'll always get your permission first.

The most common thing I've noticed in the pet owners I serve is that they love their pets more than life itself. They are often retired empty-nesters who travel a lot on cruises, road trips or to visit family or they are busy professional people who travel a lot with work. They all just want peace of mind that their pets will be well-loved and cared for to their exact specifications while they are away.

I tend to specialise in those gregarious small breed dogs, you know those fluffy little numbers that you treat like your children and are loved more than life. It gives me great joy to love and care for those little critters. But in saying that many years ago I owned a Great Dane who thought she was human. I still miss her thirty years on. So I will consider most breeds. I don't look after snakes, rodents, spiders or anything creepy crawly.

** I only accept one booking at a time to make sure your pets get all the attention they desire.
** I'm clean living, don't smoke or drink alcohol
** You can rest assured my introverted personality won't be throwing any parties at your place.

Here's what some of my happy customers have said:

HERE'S WHAT SARA SAID:
Love, love, love, love, lick, lick, lick! I love going to Aunty Margz. It’s just like home, lots of company, love and cuddles. Even if we are sitting at the computer we are doing it together. I am part of her pack and we understand each other which is just what a dog needs. Aunty Margz is patient when I have to bark noises back in their place, knows I love to garden, chew a bone and chase a cocky. I sleep inside with all the comforts and she sticks to my special diet. (boring!) The bestest bit of all though, is I know I’m loved. Sara

HERE'S WHAT SARA'S MUM SAID:
Of all the friends and family I have left Sara with, I feel most at peace when Sara is with Margaret. Any ‘woe is me, sulky, wall staring’ behaviour is now for my benefit only when I leave her, as I know Sara loves Margaret and is truly happy. I attribute this to Margaret’s genuine love, care and connection with Sara. The fact that Sara gets included into Margaret’s life with an open heart. She gets talked to, walked and loved throughout the day, rather than only receiving attention at mealtimes. With other minding services I know Sara’s physical needs are taken care of, but Margaret takes care of her emotional ones also, which as a doggy Mum is so important. It allows me to go away guilt-free knowing the separation will not be stressful for either of us. Claire (Sara's Mum)

HERE'S WHAT JELLY BEAN SAID:
“Aunty Marg treats me like I’m at home with Mum and Pop. I’m a latte coloured princess and I like to be treated with love and respect. I’m an inside doggy with a love of soft places to land, and Aunty Marg is one of those soft places. Sometimes, she will share out my dinner, on the couch, a piece at a time, while we watch a movie together. A twinkle in the front garden to “smell the roses” and it’s off back inside to help Aunty with some floor polishing while I slide down her hallway trying to catch my favourite toy. She lets me stay up late, sleep in late, and gives me the cuddle quota I have come to expect in life.” Jelly Bean aka "the Bean" (I'm the young cute blonde one in the profile photo with Mz Margz - I was helping with the puter)

HERE'S WHAT JELLY BEAN'S FOLKS SAID:
Margaret treats our pet poodle Jelly Bean like family, as a loved and cared for part of ours. When we are both unable to care for Jelly, we call on Margaret. This gives us the opportunity for a night out or a trip away, knowing that the peace of mind from her level of care our Jelly is getting, is in keeping with how we would treat her during the normal course of the day or night. Margaret really enjoys her charges, or as she calls them, her “part-time pets” and judging by the waggling of the tail when Jelly hears of her visits with Margaret, our pup does too.
Adrian and Carla (The Bean's folks)

I have 20 more references I can show you, many of whom will be happy to do a verbal reference for me too.

I look forward to hearing from you....