Sara & Juergen
Sara & Juergen
Responsible, trilingual, mature house-sitters who love animals
About Sara & Juergen
UPDATE (July 2018): Sara is taking a 12-month sabbatical from work and, thus, her internet requirements while pet-sitting are greatly reduced. Sara also will potentially be sitting alone, without Juergen, more frequently due to her freedom from work demands. Yay for freedom!
We both have traveled extensively and lived in countries other than o...
UPDATE (July 2018): Sara is taking a 12-month sabbatical from work and, thus, her internet requirements while pet-sitting are greatly reduced. Sara also will potentially be sitting alone, without Juergen, more frequently due to her freedom from work demands. Yay for freedom!
We both have traveled extensively and lived in countries other than our own for years at a time. I (Sara) have taught writing, editing, yoga, and fitness over the past 22 years and (as stated above) am taking a sabbatical to rediscover my other creative joys. Juergen works in the Munich area, and he will be traveling less because of it. We both love to travel AND we love animals, and we look forward to watching over your property and taking great care of your animals while you are away, so that you have every confidence that all is well and can thoroughly enjoy your holiday.
Unlike many sitters, we take our role and responsibilities as sitters seriously and are not looking for a "free vacation." Thus, we prefer to do an even exchange (we provide you total peace of mind and excellent care of your pets and property in exchange for housing and utilities). But if you feel an additional fee is needed to cover high heating costs, for example, please do tell us *in advance*. We can work with just about any fair arrangement as long as we know up front what our costs will be.
One thing you might like to know is that we pride ourselves on our tidiness. It's a personal endeavor of ours to have home owners return home to a shiny, clean home (and happy pets!), and we both make sure that gets done. Because the last thing you want to do when you return from traveling is clean your house or have to deal with someone else's mess.
Also, we do NOT smoke and we only care for pets in NON-smoking homes.
***Note that much of the feedback listed on this site is just for me (Sara), because I had been house-sitting solo up until we got married, and recently I have been doing more pet-sits alone because I have more flexibility to travel than J does. We did several sits together (in addition to those below) for which we don't have any written references; just ask us if you wish to see more references for Juergen.
Why we want to house sit
Our introduction says most of it: I can work anywhere with reliable internet service, and we both simply love animals. Personally, I have been told that I have an incredible eye for detail: When something needs caring for at your property, I'll notice it and take care of it. This quality is also useful when caring for animals: I realize straight away if a horse, dog, or cat is limping, or if a chicken is off her normal routine. Likewise, Juergen is a master of thinking of everything at once, so small details are not lost even while looking at the big picture (this skill likely comes from his training in building and cabinet-making: the whole AND the parts need equal attention). We would like to use our innate skills to help others rest easy while they leave their pets for a holiday, and we love to explore new parts of the world at the same time. It's really a win-win for both of us and the property/pet owners.
In addition, we recently settled into our first home as a married couple, but we still can't stop exploring new places and meeting new pets. I, especially, have itchy feet. Once a traveler, always a traveler, I guess!
Our experience
We have pet-sat together already in France, Italy, the UK, and Germany. I (Sara) have traveled and house/pet-sat for friends and "just-made" friends while in Italy, the UK, Austria, Switzerland, and the USA, and I love all animals (although I have loved cats and horses since I was a baby). Juergen was an enthusiastic dog owner for many years, and he now sees that cats are totally cool since we sat for some lovable ones together--and cats simply adore him! And because of all of my phenomenal sitting experience, I have become one of those annoying people who stops people on the sidewalk to ask them about their dogs, tell them how beautiful the dog is, and get in a few loving head-pats for the dog if the owner allows.
In addition to simply loving being with animals, we both adapt easily to new places, we both have a lot of experience with older pets (and we love them so much), and we both have a "can do" attitude, even when we are in a new situation. My communication skills are top-notch (given that I hold an advanced degree in such, and I have taught writing for many years) and Juergen and I can speak English, German, and Italian, while understanding French enough to get by. Clear communication and a willingness to adapt to local ways of living are probably the most important qualities of a great house-sitter--next to responsibility, maturity, and a deep caring and respect for other people and animals, which we also have in spades. We want to be good neighbors at all times.
Reviews (19)
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Meleni - Walton-on-Thames, United Kingdom
30 August - 06 September 2018
I’m so grateful to Sara for her care of Lily, my home and my plants whilst I was away. I came home to a very contented, happy cat in a spotless home. There really is no greater comfort when you’re away. Sara gave me complete confidence that she had everything under control and that’s exactly how ...
I’m so grateful to Sara for her care of Lily, my home and my plants whilst I was away. I came home to a very contented, happy cat in a spotless home. There really is no greater comfort when you’re away. Sara gave me complete confidence that she had everything under control and that’s exactly how it was. I can’t recommend her highly enough. Thank you Sara!
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Brie - Munich, Germany
15 July - 13 August 2018
Sara did a great job looking after my furry love during an awful heat wave. We had actually agreed on a previous sit and she was very understanding and flexible when that situation changed, and still "dared" to apply for this one. We had a lot of communication before and during the sit. She was q...
Sara did a great job looking after my furry love during an awful heat wave. We had actually agreed on a previous sit and she was very understanding and flexible when that situation changed, and still "dared" to apply for this one. We had a lot of communication before and during the sit. She was quick to respond to my messages and to contact me with questions as they arose. I came home to a calm, well-fed and well-brushed cat and a clean home, just what every cat slave hopes to come home to. I (and Kakfa(t)) would happily have Sara back any time and highly recommend her as a sitter. I also met Juergen briefly and know that he joined her here for a few days, and word has it that Kafka(t) gives him a big paws up, so I think you're probably in good hands with the pair of them, too!
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Cynthia - Evanston, Illinois, United States
16 May - 20 May 2018
Sara is a wonderful sitter. It was a pleasure to meet her in person not only to connect about the house and GiGi but also to learn more about her and her life. Her communication skills are excellent and she is very conscientious and caring. She did not hesitate to text me with questions, which I ...
Sara is a wonderful sitter. It was a pleasure to meet her in person not only to connect about the house and GiGi but also to learn more about her and her life. Her communication skills are excellent and she is very conscientious and caring. She did not hesitate to text me with questions, which I appreciate, and also sent me adorable pictures of Geeg. I returned from a family-gathering weekend and a full day of travel to be refreshed by an immaculate, peaceful apartment and a content kitty. I hope Sara and I will be able to work together again.
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
About Sara & Juergen
UPDATE (July 2018): Sara is taking a 12-month sabbatical from work and, thus, her internet requirements while pet-sitting are greatly reduced. Sara also will potentially be sitting alone, without Juergen, more frequently due to her freedom from work demands. Yay for freedom!
We both have traveled extensively and lived in countries other than our own for years at a time. I (Sara) have taught writing, editing, yoga, and fitness over the past 22 years and (as stated above) am taking a sabbatical to rediscover my other creative joys. Juergen works in the Munich area, and he will be traveling less because of it. We both love to travel AND we love animals, and we look forward to watching over your property and taking great care of your animals while you are away, so that you have every confidence that all is well and can thoroughly enjoy your holiday.
Unlike many sitters, we take our ro......
UPDATE (July 2018): Sara is taking a 12-month sabbatical from work and, thus, her internet requirements while pet-sitting are greatly reduced. Sara also will potentially be sitting alone, without Juergen, more frequently due to her freedom from work demands. Yay for freedom!
We both have traveled extensively and lived in countries other than our own for years at a time. I (Sara) have taught writing, editing, yoga, and fitness over the past 22 years and (as stated above) am taking a sabbatical to rediscover my other creative joys. Juergen works in the Munich area, and he will be traveling less because of it. We both love to travel AND we love animals, and we look forward to watching over your property and taking great care of your animals while you are away, so that you have every confidence that all is well and can thoroughly enjoy your holiday.
Unlike many sitters, we take our role and responsibilities as sitters seriously and are not looking for a "free vacation." Thus, we prefer to do an even exchange (we provide you total peace of mind and excellent care of your pets and property in exchange for housing and utilities). But if you feel an additional fee is needed to cover high heating costs, for example, please do tell us *in advance*. We can work with just about any fair arrangement as long as we know up front what our costs will be.
One thing you might like to know is that we pride ourselves on our tidiness. It's a personal endeavor of ours to have home owners return home to a shiny, clean home (and happy pets!), and we both make sure that gets done. Because the last thing you want to do when you return from traveling is clean your house or have to deal with someone else's mess.
Also, we do NOT smoke and we only care for pets in NON-smoking homes.
***Note that much of the feedback listed on this site is just for me (Sara), because I had been house-sitting solo up until we got married, and recently I have been doing more pet-sits alone because I have more flexibility to travel than J does. We did several sits together (in addition to those below) for which we don't have any written references; just ask us if you wish to see more references for Juergen.
Why we want to house sit
Our introduction says most of it: I can work anywhere with reliable internet service, and we both simply love animals. Personally, I have been told that I have an incredible eye for detail: When something needs caring for at your property, I'll notice it and take care of it. This quality is also useful when caring for animals: I realize straight away if a horse, dog, or cat is limping, or if a chicken is off her normal routine. Likewise, Juergen is a master of thinking of everything at once, so small details are not lost even while looking at the big picture (this skill likely comes from his training in building and cabinet-making: the whole AND the parts need equal attention). We would like to use our innate skills to help others rest easy while they leave their pets for a holiday, and we love to explore new parts of the world at the same time. It's really a win-win for both of us and the property/pet owners.
In addition, we recently settled into our first home as a married couple, but we still can't stop exploring new places and meeting new pets. I, especially, have itchy feet. Once a traveler, always a traveler, I guess!
Our experience
We have pet-sat together already in France, Italy, the UK, and Germany. I (Sara) have traveled and house/pet-sat for friends and "just-made" friends while in Italy, the UK, Austria, Switzerland, and the USA, and I love all animals (although I have loved cats and horses since I was a baby). Juergen was an enthusiastic dog owner for many years, and he now sees that cats are totally cool since we sat for some lovable ones together--and cats simply adore him! And because of all of my phenomenal sitting experience, I have become one of those annoying people who stops people on the sidewalk to ask them about their dogs, tell them how beautiful the dog is, and get in a few loving head-pats for the dog if the owner allows.
In addition to simply loving being with animals, we both adapt easily to new places, we both have a lot of experience with older pets (and we love them so much), and we both have a "can do" attitude, even when we are in a new situation. My communication skills are top-notch (given that I hold an advanced degree in such, and I have taught writing for many years) and Juergen and I can speak English, German, and Italian, while understanding French enough to get by. Clear communication and a willingness to adapt to local ways of living are probably the most important qualities of a great house-sitter--next to responsibility, maturity, and a deep caring and respect for other people and animals, which we also have in spades. We want to be good neighbors at all times.
Verifications
Verification level
Standard level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (5), Identity & Document Check
All Standard Verification checks are carried out by a specialist 3rd Party
Animal Care Experience
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Dogs
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Cats
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Horses
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Poultry
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Sara and Juergen have done 20 house sits since 2013
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Walton-on-ThamesUnited KingdomAug - Sep 2018 -
MunichGermanyJul - Aug 2018 -
EvanstonUnited StatesMay 2018 -
ChicagoUnited StatesApr 2018 -
CaerphillyUnited KingdomMar 2018 -
WokinghamUnited KingdomMar 2018 -
Moreton in MarshUnited KingdomDec 2017 - Jan 2018 -
EveshamUnited KingdomDec 2017 -
CheltenhamUnited KingdomDec 2017 -
LandshutGermanyAug - Sep 2017 -
ZürichSwitzerlandJul 2017 -
Bad IschlAustriaJun - Jul 2017 -
Frankfurt am MainGermanyApr 2017 -
HaileyUnited StatesDec 2016 - Jan 2017 -
MunichGermanyAug - Sep 2016 -
MunichGermanyMar - Apr 2016 -
Clermont-l’HéraultFranceFeb 2016 -
RipatransoneItalyDec 2014 -
CharlestonUnited StatesApr 2014 -
MontclairUnited StatesJan 2014
