About Us...
I fought against selling my soul for more than 15 years to a career in law, a number of them as a criminal defence solicitor. It was a thankless job and one that I have never for a moment missed since daring to take the plunge in setting up my private house & pet sitting business in September 2017.
This way of life allows me the indescribable blessing of spending my waking hours with endless animal friends. Making the most beautiful, random, and often amusing memories and friendships along the way is
a further bonus.
I never take for granted my animals and the unconditional love they so effortlessly give me, especially since my two teenage daughters and I’s contented little worlds imploded as we knew them in an instant in February 2016.
It made me re-evaluate my every perspective of what truly matters in this life since and shall always continue to do so. Our beautiful, vibrant Liana, my 19 year old firstborn suddenly had to leave her 11 month younger sister, Sophie (18 at the time), and I on 20th February 2016 due to an undiagnosed heart defect.
Soph and I love and miss Liana indescribably beyond any words in any language. Our sole focus for the last 8 years has been to make our beloved girl proud of us until we’re back with her. Liana had so many plans after Uni and so it’s now down to Soph & I to fulfil them on her behalf in the meantime.
I therefore quit law in order to care for animals in honour of our favourite person that was forced to leave us. Without even realising it, my countless little friends over the years all did their very best to repair my soul and broken heart just a fraction without my firstborn and I will always owe them so much for that. Far from me solely looking after them, I’ve always regarded it as such a privilege to spend time in their company so it’s definitely been a two-way thing. They have helped me right back in more ways than they'll ever know.
I’m sharing this upfront so that you will hopefully understand a little and we'll be able to swerve that initial awkwardness when you innocently ask how many children I’ve got. If you’re going to be trusting me with your pets and homes, then it feels right to be honest about what spurred me into quitting my previous career and in whose honour I ventured into housesitting.​
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Friends enviously tell me these days that I have the dream job and I’ve never once disagreed with them. Plus, I no longer get that familiar 5pm sinking Sunday feeling upon it miserably dawning on me that a further pointless 40+ hour week in the office is looming. I’m lucky enough to be in the simple position of ‘Have Laptop, Can Travel’ and am merely dependent upon a good WiFi connection during my sits since I also transcribe police interviews remotely from home. There’s not much else I really need on a housesit other than the company of my latest little friends.
Along comes Lily...
In May 2020, shortly after the first lockdown hit and wiped out my housesitting calendar, I fulfilled a lifelong dream since a child and finally got my own dog, a cavapoo, Lily. ‘Lily’ was my nickname for Liana as a child and so there was only one name for the puppy I'd longed for for 35 years!
Lily absolutely loves everyone, whether they be in the form of humans or animals – she really is a bundle of love and fun! We're lucky enough to be in sufficient demand these days to be able to choose the sits where Lily is welcome to join me.
I joke that Lily is my co-director of Always Us these days, having done over 100 sits together with her joining me for the past 4 years. Where the animals we are caring for are well-socialised and non-aggressive/territorial, my owner clients have been delighted for their own pets (especially single dogs) to have some canine company and a little playmate.
Obviously we will discuss whether you would be happy for Lily to join me on your sit but being half poodle, she is hypo-allergenic and drops no fur, is fully house-trained (the only thing she chews is her food :)) and is as happy chasing her friends around as she is to snooze and snuggle up for cuddles.
She is endlessly loving in nature and I’ve never known her not to immediately try to befriend any animal she’s ever met yet… her attitude is very much that everyone she crosses paths with is a new friendship opportunity! ​
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How we work...
I pride myself upon being in frequent contract with my owners whilst you are away and send many photos and video updates so that you can switch off and enjoy yourselves, knowing all is well and happy back home.
My aim is always to provide total reassurance that your beloved animals are being truly loved and cared for in your absence, in addition to the peace of mind that your homes are inhabited throughout (I work solely remotely) which therefore lessens the security risk of a vacant property.
In essence, if you come back having enjoyed your travels without any worry, then I always regard that as another job well done!
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I always arrange a meet and greet initial visit to ensure that our little ones all get on and to give you hopefully total reassurance after meeting us in person. Unlike many others in the industry, I pride myself that I am totally and unconditionally that family's when I'm on a sit - I don't work for anyone else, no drop-in visits, no dog walks, not even meet and greets for other clients.
My Facebook business page (Always Us Housesitting) has endless photos and videos of my sits over nearly 8 years in the industry and hopefully my many reviews also speak for themselves. On your part, if you’re friendly and down to earth, I know we shall get on just fine!
My previous owners have all very kindly confirmed that they would be willing to vouch for the authenticity of their reviews in the pages that follow. If you would like to speak to any of them, please let me know and I can put you in touch.
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In the meantime, I wish you all the best in planning your travels and please feel free to contact me for a quote if you think I could help you and your little ones out.
Lily & I look forward to meeting many more of you in the future!
