About Wilma
I am retired now from my adored career teaching. But, I still like working and being active. Ilike the structure of work and the feeling that by working voluntarily,I just might be making life a little better. I live and work in York, but until I was 60, I lived in Londonderry, Northern Ireland where I was born. When my husband died, my son (45)...
I am retired now from my adored career teaching. But, I still like working and being active. Ilike the structure of work and the feeling that by working voluntarily,I just might be making life a little better. I live and work in York, but until I was 60, I lived in Londonderry, Northern Ireland where I was born. When my husband died, my son (45)and I moved to York where my daughter was already living.and working as a town planner.I live with my son who works in a special school. I work as a volunteer 5days weekly, in the retail department of our local Hospice. I respect all religions and am a committed Christian. I attend my local Methodist church where I help music. I love sport .All sports.Iplayed Grass hockey and athletics at international level and my late husband was an Irish international rugby union player and British Lion Ken Goodall. But, much more importantly, he was a good kind man and my best friend. He loved animals too, and shared all the joys and sorrows of being committed to your pets. I enjoy being part of my little grandchildren's lives. I thank God that I grew up in a good country and had a stable married life. I speak French fluently,understand German, and can get by in Arabic. I realise the value of language in forming worthwhile relationships .As a family, we supported a waiter from Tunisia in 2000 and he lived with us as our son, subsequently bringing his wife and two little boys, who have settled well inIreland, one of the boys now at Manchester university.
Why I want to house sit
Throughout my life I have been fortunate to travel out of my beloved Ireland. As a student, I worked as au pair caring for many varied groups of children. As a family, we rented a house in France each summer and formed strong bonds with the owners. Now, my son and I travel , mostly to cities in Europe. All my life, I have been an animal lover and I like to think I've done a good job caring for Tiger, Domino, Joe, Bobby, and now Billy, my gentle ginger Tom . I have a conscientious neighbour who pops in and feeds Billy when we are away for a couple of days. Hence, I understand the importance and the responsibility of caring for someone else's pet while they are away. It is an enormous responsibility.
My experience
As I indicated earlier, I have had a lifetime of summers spent in France, in rented property. I have also rented a cottage in Scotland and just had a recent few days renting on the coast in Yorkshire. I have just completed a fortnight in the ski resort of St Gervais (French Alpes ) where I rented a chalet. It's a really trusting thing to have someone live in your property. I like to think I have a sensitive intuitive approach to all animals and gain their trust readily. I have completed my first "Sit " in a remote but beautiful setting in Snowdonia ( North Wales) where my responsibility was to care for two sweet cats (one totally indoor ) wild birds and hedgehogs and their baby hog lets. I have just completed my sit with beautiful clingy "Willow " in Penge London, .Although I am described as a cat sitter, I was brought up with dogs ,wasnt everybody in Ireland ! Hence I have just had a wonderfully animated week in the Cotswolds walking Ellie a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel, with a coat the colour of my own hair. And , next week, I go up to Northumbria to take care of another Cocker Spaniel .I finish this on 16th October and on on 19th to gentle Sox,an older lady of 18 in Leeds until 27th Oct. To Rome for a week. Over to Preston on 10th November to cats and, my REAL speciality hens until 20th In London, Crystal Palace as I write, with "Willow " on my tummy as I type.Heaven ! She is soooo soft. I'll be returning to London for a month over Christmas /New year to look after a well loved elderly gentleman Bertie18 years old and allow his family to go to Australia to visit family .My son (teacher in Special School ) will join me for part of this sit as we take Bertie out in his pram round Shepherd's Bush. What beautiful people and animals I am fortunate to be meeting on life's journey.
Reviews (23)
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Rosetta - Hunstanton, United Kingdom
12 December - 14 December 2018
Wilma is a lovely, friendly bundle of energy! As soon as she arrived the dogs were crowding around her and vying for attention.
We received updates, video footage, and when we got home there was a truly delicious home-made macaroni cheese to greet us, along with apple pie, custard and ice crea...Wilma is a lovely, friendly bundle of energy! As soon as she arrived the dogs were crowding around her and vying for attention.
We received updates, video footage, and when we got home there was a truly delicious home-made macaroni cheese to greet us, along with apple pie, custard and ice cream! And we thought the dogs had been spoilt:)
The cottage was cleaner than when we left! We would love to see Wilma again and have her look after our furry bunch :)- 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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Claire - Inverness, United Kingdom
09 November - 24 November 2018
Wilma is a magnificent woman. It was our first time using a pet sitter and I really can't praise her enough. The pooches loved her and I honestly think they are missing her! We received very regular texts with photos and videos. She took them to the beach everyday and generally did a wonderful jo...
Wilma is a magnificent woman. It was our first time using a pet sitter and I really can't praise her enough. The pooches loved her and I honestly think they are missing her! We received very regular texts with photos and videos. She took them to the beach everyday and generally did a wonderful job of looking after our boys. We even came back to a cooked meal which was just above and beyond. There were flowers too and she'd stripped her bed and washed and hung up the washing. Honestly she's just a treasure and we hope we can remain friends for a long time to come. Can't recommend her highly enough. Keep up the good work Wilma and take care. Love from Claire and Steve xxxxx
- 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 - Staines, United Kingdom
28 October - 03 November 2018
Wilma and her son Gareth were the perfect petsitters. They were warm, gentle and friendly and my sometimes stand-offish little doggie couldn't help but warm to them. They took great care of Daisy and Shula and kept the house spotless. We appreciated the texts and photos Wilma sent to keep us u...
Wilma and her son Gareth were the perfect petsitters. They were warm, gentle and friendly and my sometimes stand-offish little doggie couldn't help but warm to them. They took great care of Daisy and Shula and kept the house spotless. We appreciated the texts and photos Wilma sent to keep us updated. I couldn't recommend them more highly.
- 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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About Wilma
I am retired now from my adored career teaching. But, I still like working and being active. Ilike the structure of work and the feeling that by working voluntarily,I just might be making life a little better. I live and work in York, but until I was 60, I lived in Londonderry, Northern Ireland where I was born. When my husband died, my son (45)and I moved to York where my daughter was already living.and working as a town planner.I live with my son who works in a special school. I work as a volunteer 5days weekly, in the retail department of our local Hospice. I respect all religions and am a committed Christian. I attend my local Methodist church where I help music. I love sport .All sports.Iplayed Grass hockey and athletics at international level and my late husband was an Irish international rugby union player and British Lion Ken Goodall. But, much more importantly, he was a good......
I am retired now from my adored career teaching. But, I still like working and being active. Ilike the structure of work and the feeling that by working voluntarily,I just might be making life a little better. I live and work in York, but until I was 60, I lived in Londonderry, Northern Ireland where I was born. When my husband died, my son (45)and I moved to York where my daughter was already living.and working as a town planner.I live with my son who works in a special school. I work as a volunteer 5days weekly, in the retail department of our local Hospice. I respect all religions and am a committed Christian. I attend my local Methodist church where I help music. I love sport .All sports.Iplayed Grass hockey and athletics at international level and my late husband was an Irish international rugby union player and British Lion Ken Goodall. But, much more importantly, he was a good kind man and my best friend. He loved animals too, and shared all the joys and sorrows of being committed to your pets. I enjoy being part of my little grandchildren's lives. I thank God that I grew up in a good country and had a stable married life. I speak French fluently,understand German, and can get by in Arabic. I realise the value of language in forming worthwhile relationships .As a family, we supported a waiter from Tunisia in 2000 and he lived with us as our son, subsequently bringing his wife and two little boys, who have settled well inIreland, one of the boys now at Manchester university.
Why I want to house sit
Throughout my life I have been fortunate to travel out of my beloved Ireland. As a student, I worked as au pair caring for many varied groups of children. As a family, we rented a house in France each summer and formed strong bonds with the owners. Now, my son and I travel , mostly to cities in Europe. All my life, I have been an animal lover and I like to think I've done a good job caring for Tiger, Domino, Joe, Bobby, and now Billy, my gentle ginger Tom . I have a conscientious neighbour who pops in and feeds Billy when we are away for a couple of days. Hence, I understand the importance and the responsibility of caring for someone else's pet while they are away. It is an enormous responsibility.
My experience
As I indicated earlier, I have had a lifetime of summers spent in France, in rented property. I have also rented a cottage in Scotland and just had a recent few days renting on the coast in Yorkshire. I have just completed a fortnight in the ski resort of St Gervais (French Alpes ) where I rented a chalet. It's a really trusting thing to have someone live in your property. I like to think I have a sensitive intuitive approach to all animals and gain their trust readily. I have completed my first "Sit " in a remote but beautiful setting in Snowdonia ( North Wales) where my responsibility was to care for two sweet cats (one totally indoor ) wild birds and hedgehogs and their baby hog lets. I have just completed my sit with beautiful clingy "Willow " in Penge London, .Although I am described as a cat sitter, I was brought up with dogs ,wasnt everybody in Ireland ! Hence I have just had a wonderfully animated week in the Cotswolds walking Ellie a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel, with a coat the colour of my own hair. And , next week, I go up to Northumbria to take care of another Cocker Spaniel .I finish this on 16th October and on on 19th to gentle Sox,an older lady of 18 in Leeds until 27th Oct. To Rome for a week. Over to Preston on 10th November to cats and, my REAL speciality hens until 20th In London, Crystal Palace as I write, with "Willow " on my tummy as I type.Heaven ! She is soooo soft. I'll be returning to London for a month over Christmas /New year to look after a well loved elderly gentleman Bertie18 years old and allow his family to go to Australia to visit family .My son (teacher in Special School ) will join me for part of this sit as we take Bertie out in his pram round Shepherd's Bush. What beautiful people and animals I am fortunate to be meeting on life's journey.
Verifications
Verification level
Standard level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (3), 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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Poultry
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Wilma has done 27 house sits since 2017
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Barons CourtUnited KingdomDec 2018 - Jan 2019 -
HunstantonUnited KingdomDec 2018 -
Bury St EdmundsUnited KingdomDec 2018 -
InvernessUnited KingdomNov 2018 -
StainesUnited KingdomOct - Nov 2018 -
FavershamUnited KingdomSep - Oct 2018 -
DunfanaghyIrelandSep 2018 -
Bury St EdmundsUnited KingdomJul - Aug 2018
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SolihullUnited KingdomJul 2018 -
LondonUnited KingdomJun 2018 -
StockbridgeUnited KingdomJun 2018 -
Great DunmowUnited KingdomMay - Jun 2018 -
ConistonUnited KingdomMay 2018 -
YorkUnited KingdomApr - May 2018 -
TwickenhamUnited KingdomApr 2018 -
StamfordUnited KingdomMar - Apr 2018 -
DorkingUnited KingdomFeb - Mar 2018 -
WhitbyUnited KingdomFeb 2018 -
OakhamUnited KingdomJan - Feb 2018 -
LondonUnited KingdomDec 2017 - Jan 2018 -
EdinburghUnited KingdomDec 2017 -
PrestonUnited KingdomNov 2017 -
LeedsUnited KingdomOct 2017 -
CramlingtonUnited KingdomOct 2017 -
PengeUnited KingdomSep 2017 -
OxfordUnited KingdomSep 2017 -
OswestryUnited KingdomAug - Sep 2017
