Barb & Jim
Barb & Jim
Responsible, trustworthy, and caring couple with flexible schedule
About Barb & Jim
Jim and I retired in our early 50's so that we could spend more time exploring new places and revisiting old favorites, as well as visiting friends and family who live throughout the USA. We enjoy "wandering" and getting off the main path when we travel, stopping to chat with people along the way and, if we're really lucky, meeting some new fou...
Jim and I retired in our early 50's so that we could spend more time exploring new places and revisiting old favorites, as well as visiting friends and family who live throughout the USA. We enjoy "wandering" and getting off the main path when we travel, stopping to chat with people along the way and, if we're really lucky, meeting some new four legged furry friends! In addition to travel, Jim is a great handyman and loves finding small projects to keep himself busy. I enjoy reading, photography, new experiences and when at home, giving back through community service work. We both enjoy spending time in nature, discovering new foods, and a good laugh!
In March 2017 we were both approved for participation in the Trusted Traveler Program (also called Global Entry) by the US Customs and Border Patrol, a part of The Department of Homeland Security. This involved extensive background checks as well as finger printing and in-person interviews. We will share our letters of approval if considered for your house sitting opportunity.
Why we want to house sit
The opportunity to care for your home and pets would be a perfect fit for both parties: You: travel knowing your home and furry family members are safe and well cared for. Us: able to share our love with dogs and cats (we no longer live with any ourselves) as well as explore areas of the world that we haven't been to before and/or be closer to family and friends who don't live in Minnesota (in particular house/pet sitting opportunities near Portland OR, St. Louis MO, and/or Denver CO.)
Growing up, we were were lucky to always have dogs or cats in our lives: an elkhound, a cockerspaniel-poodle mix, labradors, and several cats. We love animals, but no longer have pets ourselves. When Kodi, our beloved black lab/retriever rescue dog, died we decided not to adopt another due to our travel schedules.
We are open to short-term and longer-term house sits and our schedule is quite flexible. As long-time homeowners, we are experienced with the maintenance and upkeep that homes require (lawn, garden, snow, cleaning, etc). We have lived in small towns, large cities/suburban, and remote rural areas (desert in southern USA). We are non-smokers.
Our experience
In addition to our own pets, we have cared for the pets of friends, specifically large and small dogs and cats. We have experience walking/hiking with dogs, playing with dogs and cats, feeding and cleaning up after both. We have also cared for older dogs and cats (12-15 years old), giving pills and other medications. We are generous with our attention, love, and snuggles. Animals/pets tend to respond well to our calm, positive attitudes and energy. We make sure we know your pets vocabulary (e.g. do they respond to "down" instead of "off") and we take care to understand and respect your rules and expectations (e.g., even though we might not mind your cat(s) or dog(s) sleeping with us, if you do not allow them on the bed we will respect that when we are sitting for you).
Reviews (8)
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Beth - Austin, Texas, United States
28 December - 03 January 2019
Barb and Jim were the best housesitters!! We were convinced that Tony was going to leave with them when we returned, he really loved spending time with them!
Barb was the primary communicator during the application process and the sit, and she is really organized, asks good questions and is very...Barb and Jim were the best housesitters!! We were convinced that Tony was going to leave with them when we returned, he really loved spending time with them!
Barb was the primary communicator during the application process and the sit, and she is really organized, asks good questions and is very attentive to details.
We had a great skype chat and email exchanges from the time of "confirmation" all the way through the sit. we received multiple picture updates throughout the stay and she and Jim always made me feel comfortable and secure in knowing everything was going well at the house.
Jim is a very laid back guy and Emi the cat took an immediate liking to him. Tony also decided Jim was his best new buddy and played with him throughout the whole sit. Both Barb and Jim treated the pets with love and kindness during the sit and spoke in calm, loving voices, even when Tony was at his most energetic!
They left our house sit with a completely spotless house, and made our transition back home as nice as possible.
We hope Barb and Jim will come back and stay with us again, as friends, or as housesitters!- 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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Jane & Matthew - Corcoran, Minnesota, United States
02 December - 04 December 2018
We were so fortunate to have Barb and Jim return for another sit with our pups! Knowing that they are at our home, and lovingly caring for Joey and Boris makes it so much easier, and more enjoyable, to travel. We are thrilled to have met such great house/pet-sitters! Highest recommendation for...
We were so fortunate to have Barb and Jim return for another sit with our pups! Knowing that they are at our home, and lovingly caring for Joey and Boris makes it so much easier, and more enjoyable, to travel. We are thrilled to have met such great house/pet-sitters! Highest recommendation for Barb and Jim!
- 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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Jane & Matthew - Corcoran, Minnesota, United States
16 November - 18 November 2018
Barb and Jim are fantastic! Communication with them was easy from the start, and they were kind enough to come for a visit beforehand to see the house and meet the pups. Joey and Boris were immediately enamored by both Barb and Jim's calm, kind and attentive demeanors. Barb and Jim quickly pic...
Barb and Jim are fantastic! Communication with them was easy from the start, and they were kind enough to come for a visit beforehand to see the house and meet the pups. Joey and Boris were immediately enamored by both Barb and Jim's calm, kind and attentive demeanors. Barb and Jim quickly picked up on the pups' personalities and were receptive to information regarding their individual needs. We were able to travel without any concern because we knew the pups were in good hands with Barb and Jim. They kept us updated with texts and pics during our trip and we returned home to happy pets and a clean home. Barb and Jim are smart, resourceful and totally dependable. Plus, they are fun people to be around!
We will definitely be inviting Barb and Jim to sit again soon!- 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 Barb & Jim
Jim and I retired in our early 50's so that we could spend more time exploring new places and revisiting old favorites, as well as visiting friends and family who live throughout the USA. We enjoy "wandering" and getting off the main path when we travel, stopping to chat with people along the way and, if we're really lucky, meeting some new four legged furry friends! In addition to travel, Jim is a great handyman and loves finding small projects to keep himself busy. I enjoy reading, photography, new experiences and when at home, giving back through community service work. We both enjoy spending time in nature, discovering new foods, and a good laugh!
In March 2017 we were both approved for participation in the Trusted Traveler Program (also called Global Entry) by the US Customs and Border Patrol, a part of The Department of Homeland Security. This involved extensive background......
Jim and I retired in our early 50's so that we could spend more time exploring new places and revisiting old favorites, as well as visiting friends and family who live throughout the USA. We enjoy "wandering" and getting off the main path when we travel, stopping to chat with people along the way and, if we're really lucky, meeting some new four legged furry friends! In addition to travel, Jim is a great handyman and loves finding small projects to keep himself busy. I enjoy reading, photography, new experiences and when at home, giving back through community service work. We both enjoy spending time in nature, discovering new foods, and a good laugh!
In March 2017 we were both approved for participation in the Trusted Traveler Program (also called Global Entry) by the US Customs and Border Patrol, a part of The Department of Homeland Security. This involved extensive background checks as well as finger printing and in-person interviews. We will share our letters of approval if considered for your house sitting opportunity.
Why we want to house sit
The opportunity to care for your home and pets would be a perfect fit for both parties: You: travel knowing your home and furry family members are safe and well cared for. Us: able to share our love with dogs and cats (we no longer live with any ourselves) as well as explore areas of the world that we haven't been to before and/or be closer to family and friends who don't live in Minnesota (in particular house/pet sitting opportunities near Portland OR, St. Louis MO, and/or Denver CO.)
Growing up, we were were lucky to always have dogs or cats in our lives: an elkhound, a cockerspaniel-poodle mix, labradors, and several cats. We love animals, but no longer have pets ourselves. When Kodi, our beloved black lab/retriever rescue dog, died we decided not to adopt another due to our travel schedules.
We are open to short-term and longer-term house sits and our schedule is quite flexible. As long-time homeowners, we are experienced with the maintenance and upkeep that homes require (lawn, garden, snow, cleaning, etc). We have lived in small towns, large cities/suburban, and remote rural areas (desert in southern USA). We are non-smokers.
Our experience
In addition to our own pets, we have cared for the pets of friends, specifically large and small dogs and cats. We have experience walking/hiking with dogs, playing with dogs and cats, feeding and cleaning up after both. We have also cared for older dogs and cats (12-15 years old), giving pills and other medications. We are generous with our attention, love, and snuggles. Animals/pets tend to respond well to our calm, positive attitudes and energy. We make sure we know your pets vocabulary (e.g. do they respond to "down" instead of "off") and we take care to understand and respect your rules and expectations (e.g., even though we might not mind your cat(s) or dog(s) sleeping with us, if you do not allow them on the bed we will respect that when we are sitting for you).
Verifications
Verification level
Basic level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (4)
Animal Care Experience
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Dogs
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Cats
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Barb and Jim have done 9 house sits since 2016
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AustinUnited StatesDec 2018 - Jan 2019
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CorcoranUnited StatesDec 2018 -
CorcoranUnited StatesNov 2018
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PlymouthUnited StatesOct 2018 -
EnglewoodUnited StatesAug 2018 -
MadisonUnited StatesJul 2018 -
TucsonUnited StatesJan 2018 -
PlymouthUnited StatesNov 2017
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PlymouthUnited StatesOct 2017
