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 (21)
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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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Julie - Faversham, United Kingdom
30 September - 16 October 2018
Wilma is a wonderful lady, friendly, kind, thoughtful, competent and above all trustworthy. She arrived the day before our holiday and quickly settled in. We were soon reassured that our house and pets would be in good hands. She kept in touch regularly, including a short video clip of George ...
Wilma is a wonderful lady, friendly, kind, thoughtful, competent and above all trustworthy. She arrived the day before our holiday and quickly settled in. We were soon reassured that our house and pets would be in good hands. She kept in touch regularly, including a short video clip of George and Ryan, our dogs. Our house was beautifully clean and tidy on return (she even cleaned the windows, which were admittedly grubby!!). She left us a lovely home cooked steak pie for our supper. She took the dogs for a walk each day and also took great care of our small flock of bantams. We have no hesitation in recommending Wilma as a first class house sitter and now a friend, and very much hope she will return to sit for us in the future. With our very best wishes, Julie, Miles, George, Ryan and the hens. p.s. Next time we will have a much nicer bathroom for you!
- 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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Helen - Dunfanaghy, Ireland
07 September - 23 September 2018
I came home after 2 weeks to happy pets and a spotless home. It was my first time using a pet-sitter and a bit anxious but she couldn't have been more reassuring. We kept in touch while I was away and my shy nervous cat seemed relaxed and happy when I returned. The dogs were obviously well cared ...
I came home after 2 weeks to happy pets and a spotless home. It was my first time using a pet-sitter and a bit anxious but she couldn't have been more reassuring. We kept in touch while I was away and my shy nervous cat seemed relaxed and happy when I returned. The dogs were obviously well cared for too. I have no hesitation in recommending Wilma as a pet-sitter.
- 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
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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 23 house sits since 2017
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StainesUnited KingdomOct - Nov 2018 -
FavershamUnited KingdomSep - Oct 2018 -
DunfanaghyIrelandSep 2018 -
Bury St EdmundsUnited KingdomJul - Aug 2018 -
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
