10 Years of TrustedHousesitters: Class of 2018

This month, we’re celebrating TrustedHousesitters’ 10-year anniversary. That’s ten whole years (or 60, in dog years!) of keeping pets happy at home and connecting pet lovers from all across the globe.

While our celebrations this year might be a little different to how we’d planned, we’ve been taking a walk down memory lane and looking back on ten whole years of TrustedHousesitters, and raising a bowl to the pets — and people — that made it happen!

In loving memory of Billy… Class of 2018

Meet Billy, the horse who shot to fame after featuring as one of the five horses that played the lead role in the Warner Bros 1994 film, Black Beauty. 

“I fell in love with Billy on set and that hasn’t changed to this day… I love that it’s still a film so many remember so fondly, but most of all that it all lives on in Billy.” — Louise, Billy’s owner. 

Following the success of Black Beauty, Billy enjoyed a star-studded career and featured in a number of music videos (as well as a Guinness commercial) before retiring to the countryside with his owner, Louise. It was in 2018 that Billy was awarded a TrustedHousesitters Pet Plaque, commemorating his career. 

“His plaque will be a forever tribute and reminder of how very special he was.” 

2018 is lovingly dedicated in memory of Billy, who sadly passed away in April 2020, aged 31. 

Billy is now buried in his favourite field, wearing the head collar Louise gave him 27 years ago, and with his overreach boots on — the very same ones he wore every day. 

Thank you, Billy, for enriching the lives of all of those around you. This one’s for you!

Are you in TrustedHousesitters’ Class of 2018? If you joined us that year, or cared and loved for a special pet in 2018, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch, and you and your pets could feature in our virtual yearbook!