House Sitting for the Grodin Family

When: August 19th-22nd
Where: Shoreline
Who: The Grodin Family

I've been looking forward to this house sitting gig since I started this crazy idea last month. Living in Shoreline for the weekend would be a good change of pace and kind of be like a mini vacation. Because this was my first scheduled booking, it kind of felt like my challenge had finally started even though I had one in July. I didn't really know KaraAnne and her husband, Mike, that well but thanks to Facebook she read about my idea and quickly booked two weekends and week in December. I think the fact that I didn't charge for dog sitting had a major draw. That has now changed, as I've found that dog sitting requires at least two pages of instructions.

I drove over to their home Friday around 3pm to take them on a walk and to give them a scoop of food. This was just a quick visit since my boyfriend and I had a crab feast to go to that evening. I kid you not, I have NEVER seen more crab on a table than I did that night, twenty crabs somehow all fit in a barbecue and covered the extended dining room table. Delicious!!! So, as I'm driving out there, I'm searching for her address and I can not find it. I text my boyfriend for it and he promptly replies with an address that Tom Tom doesn't recognize. Crap!!! I have to admit that between all our e-mailing back and forth, I guess I never got her current home address. I had been over for dinner a few weeks prior to get the key and to meet her dogs but I really didn't pay much attention on how to get there since I figured I'd just punch her address into my Tom Tom. I pull over and called the Vet number that was on page number 2 of my instructions but of course they are unable to give me their address. At least I'm able to verify that the address I do have isn't the correct one. Facebook, pops in my head, maybe she's posted her address on her info page. Yes!!! After a 30 min delay, I make it to the Grodin residence.

The next morning we wake up with Jesse at our feet on the bed and Maggie in her bed on the floor. Darren has a mean hankering for a cup of Joe but no beans are in sight. Using those child proof magnet openers we searched all over that kitchen without any luck but luckily we are within walking distance of a Starbucks (well actually 2). With Jesse and Maggie leashed up, we are off on our early morning walk and all I have to say is good thing he had Jesse and I had Maggie. Jesse gets pretty excited around other dogs. After breakfast and honestly probably the best cup of coffee ever, we headed out to enjoy the sun.

After multiple walks, blackberry picking on the trail, a little gardening in the backyard, and many poopy bags later the Grodins came home mid afternoon on Sunday. We were in the midst of baking blackberry scones when they pulled up outside bags in tow. We stayed just a bit longer to finish the scones and to clean up. I hope they enjoyed their vacation and were a little more relaxed knowing that their two black labs were in such good care. I think this experience has made less aprehensive about dogs and who knows, maybe there will be a puppy in my future...

Thank you KaraAnne and Mike for welcoming Darren and I into your home for 3 days. I look forward to the next one.