spend a month in California. live in Florida

[Agnostic007]

Not that it is something I am interested in doing, but how did you first get into house sitting? Does it simply afford you the opportunity to see other places or do you actually earn an income from this?

Our neighbors teenage kids used to take care of our dogs when we travelled but they are all adults now with careers and lives of their own. We did pay them, but it wasn't allot as best as I can remember. We have a large yard with dog doors, so the only thing dog sitters had to do was feed them each day and make sure they had fresh water. Since they lived next door there was no need to move in while they were taking caring for our pups.

We've had a couple dogs up until a couple years ago. We have pet/house sat for a few friends and visa versa over the years. Being retired we love to travel and heard about some sites that charge a nominal fee to join. I researched the top 3 and joined. One is strictly Mexico called Housesitmexico. one is heavy into europe and one is heavy into the US.

So it kind of kills two birds with one stone. We can travel and avoid the hotel costs (Some like the one in San Francisco, offer up a car) And we get to hang out with dogs. There is no money exchanged... it is the lodging for the caretaking.   

[Agnostic007]

Now let's hear the real good stuff.... did you try on their clothes?  Find their secret home porn movie stash?  Start feuds with the neighbors?

None of that....

[Agnostic007]

Are you doing the pet sitting thing in Mexico?

I was talking to my GF about it, she's never heard of anyone doing that.

I'm curious because we are thinking about heading to Puebla in the Spring for 2 weeks.

This 2 month trip is no pet sitting. But Mexico does have opportunites, especially around Lake Chapala. The founder of Housesitmexico is from there and I guess word of mouth got around. But there are opportunities all over.

[Agnostic007]

I’ve never heard of people traveling to pet sit. Typically it’s a local who watches the dog or cat while the owner is away.

Thats usually how we did it. Most of the people registering on those sites to find sitters are well off, and want someone they can trust. Plus, the local folks, you tend to have to pay $30-$40 a day. And on longer trips, like 2 weeks or longer, they tend to want a person or couple that can take care of the house and emergencies that arise. But yeah, a lot of people use local folks.

[Agnostic007]

Agnostic walking around in the wifes lingerie is a sight the poor neighbors will never forget.

I'm 215 lbs, she's 108... definitely not a sight they'll soon forget

[pamith]

Had a pet/house sitting gig in a condo across from Oracle Park. lasted 3 weeks. Tenderloin district was appalling.  Was trying to find a high-end Thai restaurant in the area... we were walking... having done 24 years in Austin the homeless and their encampments aren't new to me.. but this was on a whole different level.  about 3 blocks in we decided no matter how good the restaurant was, not worth it.. and changed course. But I am happy to report much of San Francisco was still cool. Took a one night trip to Carmel By the Sea... wow! Might be the coolest little community I've been to stateside. every house was unique, well taken care of and the scenic loop around the town was amazing. If you haven't been, consider it.
Napa... 3rd time there. It's like Vegas now.. you need a reservation to visit 90%of the wineries and $50-$60 pp wine tasting to get in. We did a couple of those but visited the 6 or so wineries that accepted walk in's. Side note, we did crash the Stags Leap vineyard and struck up a conversation with the people working the front desk. They took pity on us and we were able to purchase a couple glasses of wine and tour the place. Same with Caymus. We did pay for a tasting at the Castillo De Amarosa because my wife was set on taking pictures of the place. The lady working the tasting basically gave us as much wine as we liked, and some from the "sold out listing"..which was pretty cool
The most expensive ribeye steak I've seen to date was at Torc in downtown Napa. 60 day dry aged at $175. I passed on it but the food there was top notch. Don Giovanni was another pleasant dining experience
.

I'm not reading a book

[SF1900]

I'm not reading a book

You are not missing much lol.

He hops on every few months to tell Getbiggers about his travels lol. It’s strange.

[Dave D]

You are not missing much lol.

He hops on every few months to tell Getbiggers about his travels lol. It’s strange.

LOL

[Tapeworm]

I was in Oahu, Hawaii 40 years ago and every other person who walked by asked me if I wanted to buy reefer.

They're the shitiest people on the planet. I'm not even a racist except for against Hawaiians. They just suck. The Spam of mankind.

[El Diablo Blanco]

where did you stay in Napa?  How was the Caymus wine tasting?  By far my favorite wine but it is costly.

[Rambone]

[ThisisOverload]

This 2 month trip is no pet sitting. But Mexico does have opportunites, especially around Lake Chapala. The founder of Housesitmexico is from there and I guess word of mouth got around. But there are opportunities all over.

Cool, i'll look into that.

[joswift]

he fucking annoys me...

[Rambone]

he fucking annoys me...

He’s a bodybuilder like you and me! On a serious note, he has had some good bodybuilding related interviews

[visualizeperfection]

Cool story bro

OP went to a place, did a thing, ate some dick, decided to Facebook-post on a bodybuilding forum.


He should fuck off.

[Agnostic007]

I'm not reading a book

didn't peg you for the type

[AbrahamG]

didn't peg you for the type

 

[Agnostic007]

where did you stay in Napa?  How was the Caymus wine tasting?  By far my favorite wine but it is costly.

River Terrace Inn

Love Caymus but wasn't going to pay what they want for a tasting. plus I avoided any places that required reservations. We winging it. 

[Agnostic007]

You are not missing much lol.

He hops on every few months to tell Getbiggers about his travels lol. It’s strange.

That's a pretty accurate description. Though the strange part baffles me... Been a member for decades, built up some relationships, (You apparently aren't one of them) and enjoy interacting with them. I suppose I could post some political post every other day or perhaps a video of a fight in a McDonalds to keep you interested, but this is my thing..

[Agnostic007]

OP went to a place, did a thing, ate some dick, decided to Facebook-post on a bodybuilding forum.


He should fuck off.

Over 10,000 posts and I can't recall a single one.. that might be a record

[beakdoctor]

he fucking annoys me...

X2, he's a shitty interviewer. Spends more time talking than his subjects. He acts like the interview is about him.

[Tapeworm]

River Terrace Inn

Love Caymus but wasn't going to pay what they want for a tasting. plus I avoided any places that required reservations. We winging it.

But the trip isn't still in progress. It's over now. Past tense of wing is wang. Ya wanged it.

[Humble Narcissist]

"We need to take back our Tenderloin," the mayor said.

The intervention plan is already underway and will continue developing in the months ahead, according to Breed's post. Some of the first issues addressed included bringing temporary lighting into "key areas" and warrant sweeps conducted by local law enforcement. The next steps will involve "taking on the most destructive behavior" before officials identify long-term fixes.

"We are committed to the short-term emergency intervention, and then after that, we will not let the Tenderloin slip back to its current conditions," Breed wrote. She added that the efforts were not just for the Tenderloin neighborhood but "for the entire city."

Breed wrote that the emergency actions taken to address crime in the Tenderloin neighborhood would "require a significant police response." To support the efforts, she said, she intends to introduce a supplemental portion to the city's budget "to help fund SFPD overtime" through the end of the fiscal year.



apparently the Mayor doesnt look at it like that. She gave a press conference in December... I don't see it has gotten better. The people I talked to while there were sick of dealing with the out of control homelessness and had hopes the Mayor's recognition of the problem would offer some relief.

Why does it take so damn long for government to do anything? If I were elected mayor of Philadelphia Kensington Street would be cleaned up in a couple days.

[Agnostic007]

Why does it take so damn long for government to do anything? If I were elected mayor of Philadelphia Kensington Street would be cleaned up in a couple days.

I agree. I don't understand it except the caveat most politicians are focused on reelection. I often think about it. If I ran for any public office I would likely not be elected because I would tell the truth. That would alienate at least half if not more of the voters. Politicians have to walk a mind field  to offend the least amount of people and so they say what they think most voters want to hear. But yeah, if elected mayor of Philly, San fran, or Austin, I personally wouldn't care about reelection like you, and would find a way to get results without being neanderthal about it

[Humble Narcissist]

I agree. I don't understand it except the caveat most politicians are focused on reelection. I often think about it. If I ran for any public office I would likely not be elected because I would tell the truth. That would alienate at least half if not more of the voters. Politicians have to walk a mind field  to offend the least amount of people and so they say what they think most voters want to hear. But yeah, if elected mayor of Philly, San fran, or Austin, I personally wouldn't care about reelection like you, and would find a way to get results without being neanderthal about it

It would be a nightmare career for me.