Kathie & (bennie) diane
Kathie & (bennie) diane
Retired Teachers, Landlords, Foster Dog Mamas seek winter in a warmer climate with access to day tripping.
About Kathie & (bennie) diane
We are dependable, non-smoking, active, retired teachers who are now able to escape the winter chill in our Pacific Northwest corner of the US. Our winters are spent enjoying travel/pet sitting. In our summer months, we open our home to foster dogs and volunteer with local rescue agencies. Pets are a year-round focus in our lives. We promise to...
We are dependable, non-smoking, active, retired teachers who are now able to escape the winter chill in our Pacific Northwest corner of the US. Our winters are spent enjoying travel/pet sitting. In our summer months, we open our home to foster dogs and volunteer with local rescue agencies. Pets are a year-round focus in our lives. We promise to love and care for your home and pets as if they were our own. Our preparation includes ongoing training classes in handling, obedience and pet first aid. Did you know there are even classes in "Dog Body Language?" So much to learn and love!
We think communication is a major component of any pet sit -- we'll happily send you updates of happenings from home if you'd like. We've had fingerprints and police checks done in the past (as teachers and Red Cross volunteers) We can also supply additional references.
Why we want to house sit
We want to pet sit to have animals in our lives year round and to give others a chance to travel worry free. House and pet sitting is a perfect, affordable combination for avid travelers and animal lovers. House sitting is a win-win for sitters, owners AND their pets. While home for the summer, we often reminisce on past winters spent in central Mexico, Portugal, and Australia. In 2018 we have our sights set on Europe for some old world culture and events.
Our experience
Having owned and managed several rental houses we learned quite a few care and cleaning tips - at the same time recognizing if a problem arises which might be beyond our scope, requiring professional assistance. For a few years we offered a guest room to travelers through AirBnB and really enjoyed getting to host a variety of travelers. As a lifelong profession, teaching has required us to plan and organize time and materials, providing experience in reliability and attention to details - both important for home management.
We have also been so very lucky to have fostered 60 + rescue dogs, in all shapes and sizes, newborn to elder. Each one arrived with their own personalities and needs. We look forward to living with your pets who are already secure in their very own homes! We will maintain your schedule, and follow instructions for your pet's comfort and safety -- and for your peace of mind!
REFERENCES POSTED BELOW- SCROLL DOWN
Our hobbies and skills range from gardening and forest management (we lived on a tree farm) to do-it-yourself home maintenance and technology projects. We tend to stay at home in the evenings, reading and playing with the current animal resident. 30 years of experience in property management, teaching responsibilities, foreign travel and pet care are our qualifications. Let us look after the well being of your home and pets while you travel worry free.
REFERENCES: October 5, 2014
To whom it may concern:
Kathie Hagwell and Diane Garmo are both responsible, mature, kindly and reasonable people. I have always been impressed with their integrity. My husband and I have been guests at their BnB on numerous occasions over several years. They keep a very tidy house and grounds, and treat the foster dogs in their home with much kindness, but I never see a dog left in a position to do property damage. They are respected in their community and by their friends and neighbors. They are very well traveled and seem quite adaptable to different cultures.
I think anyone who had them as house sitters or pet caretakers would be lucky indeed.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about them.
Sincerely,
Sara Tuck
CINDY ENGER
Evanston, Illinois
Kathie and Diane took care of my sweet pup, Homer, while I was away. While caring for Homer, they stayed in my home. Not only were they attentive and loving towards my dog, they also took amazingly great care of my home. That is an understatement -- my house was cleaner upon my return than when I left! And Homer was happy as can be. I recommend Kathie and Diane highly. They are truly a great team.
KATIE HERRELL
Monterey, California
Better than I could have ever imagined
When I began thinking about getting a pet sitter for my senior pup I was nervous to say the least. I put up my ad and got a handful of responses quickly. Both my boyfriend and I looked over the applications separately and agreed that Kathie and Diane were at the top of both of our lists. After a Skype session with them in Mexico it was a done deal. They arrived a few days before we left both for their convenience but also for my peace of mind and to make it an easier transition for the dog. Getting to know them was amazing. I was able to show them around a bit, did a quick run to the vet so they knew where to go and give them a brief lay of the land. When it came time to leave I was in tears. In 13.5 years I've never left my dog with anyone other than my parents or my boyfriend and it hit me that I was leaving my baby with people I just met. They sent us what we referred to as "pupdates" which we both looked forward to and it really put us both at ease. I knew from the photos she was happy, well taken care of and I was worried for nothing. They kept my baby on her routine (frankly better than I do), were kind, clean, organized and took absolutely great care of both the dog and the house in the face of the wettest winter California has seen in over a decade. When we came home Natalee turned to Kathie and Diane to go outside. I've never seen her become so attached to anyone so quickly that it blew me away and warmed my heart. She had formed such an incredible bond that for two days after they left she would go into the room looking for them. Her new friends were gone but not forgotten. Words can't ever adequately explain what an incredibly positive experience I had with Kathie and Diane. Their kindness and caring for my dog and my home, their warm hearts and sweet spirits and the great conversations we shared made it a truly unforgettable experience. I wouldn't hesitate to have them watch Nat again and can't ever recommend them highly enough. I regularly tout my fabulous experience of their stay and care of my fur baby to our travel group of over 400k when others are looking for someone to watch their pets. I would love to have them watch Nat again (as I'm sure she would as well) or just come for a visit. You are both incredible people and I can't thank you enough for taking such good care of little Nat. I will never forget your kindness and I hope that you will come visit us again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With love from Katie, Sean and Natalee
Reviews (8)
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Karen - Sitges, Spain
05 January - 12 January 2019
Kathie and Diane are lovely people very caring and capable. They looked after our animals with love and consideration of how we want them to behave so no bad habits were formed. The animals were obviously well looked after as was our home. To come home to happy healthy pets and a clean tidy home ...
Kathie and Diane are lovely people very caring and capable. They looked after our animals with love and consideration of how we want them to behave so no bad habits were formed. The animals were obviously well looked after as was our home. To come home to happy healthy pets and a clean tidy home was a joy. A big thank you to two special ladies highly recommend them to sit for you.
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James And Ryan - Barcelona, Spain
20 December - 04 January 2019
Kathie and Diane were great sitters! They were super easy to communicate with and are both lovely, interesting people. When our situation changed due to medical complications with our dog, they were willing to do whatever needed. Their dedication to caring for our dog was much appreciated. They m...
Kathie and Diane were great sitters! They were super easy to communicate with and are both lovely, interesting people. When our situation changed due to medical complications with our dog, they were willing to do whatever needed. Their dedication to caring for our dog was much appreciated. They met us at our house a couple of nights before we left and were super easygoing yet asked meaningful questions for their stay. They left our house in great shape! We would welcome them again anytime. Thank 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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Maureen - Ajijic, Mexico
19 December - 28 December 2017
Kathie and Dianne stayed with us for 10 days then again a few days later for another 4 days while we went to Puerto Vallarta for New Years. They were very flexible and wonderful with the dogs. We have 4 dogs and a foster puppy. We feed 3 times a day and two dogs have medications but they were nev...
Kathie and Dianne stayed with us for 10 days then again a few days later for another 4 days while we went to Puerto Vallarta for New Years. They were very flexible and wonderful with the dogs. We have 4 dogs and a foster puppy. We feed 3 times a day and two dogs have medications but they were never overwhelmed and created a schedule. Most of their days they spent hanging out with our dogs, walking and training. They were wonderful sitters, our dogs loved them, I would highly recommend them. They are even taking 4 dogs from a local shelter, back to Bellingham for adoption. Great people and dog sitters.
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
About Kathie & (bennie) diane
We are dependable, non-smoking, active, retired teachers who are now able to escape the winter chill in our Pacific Northwest corner of the US. Our winters are spent enjoying travel/pet sitting. In our summer months, we open our home to foster dogs and volunteer with local rescue agencies. Pets are a year-round focus in our lives. We promise to love and care for your home and pets as if they were our own. Our preparation includes ongoing training classes in handling, obedience and pet first aid. Did you know there are even classes in "Dog Body Language?" So much to learn and love!
We think communication is a major component of any pet sit -- we'll happily send you updates of happenings from home if you'd like. We've had fingerprints and police checks done in the past (as teachers and Red Cross volunteers) We can also supply additional references.
We are dependable, non-smoking, active, retired teachers who are now able to escape the winter chill in our Pacific Northwest corner of the US. Our winters are spent enjoying travel/pet sitting. In our summer months, we open our home to foster dogs and volunteer with local rescue agencies. Pets are a year-round focus in our lives. We promise to love and care for your home and pets as if they were our own. Our preparation includes ongoing training classes in handling, obedience and pet first aid. Did you know there are even classes in "Dog Body Language?" So much to learn and love!
We think communication is a major component of any pet sit -- we'll happily send you updates of happenings from home if you'd like. We've had fingerprints and police checks done in the past (as teachers and Red Cross volunteers) We can also supply additional references.
Why we want to house sit
We want to pet sit to have animals in our lives year round and to give others a chance to travel worry free. House and pet sitting is a perfect, affordable combination for avid travelers and animal lovers. House sitting is a win-win for sitters, owners AND their pets. While home for the summer, we often reminisce on past winters spent in central Mexico, Portugal, and Australia. In 2018 we have our sights set on Europe for some old world culture and events.
Our experience
Having owned and managed several rental houses we learned quite a few care and cleaning tips - at the same time recognizing if a problem arises which might be beyond our scope, requiring professional assistance. For a few years we offered a guest room to travelers through AirBnB and really enjoyed getting to host a variety of travelers. As a lifelong profession, teaching has required us to plan and organize time and materials, providing experience in reliability and attention to details - both important for home management.
We have also been so very lucky to have fostered 60 + rescue dogs, in all shapes and sizes, newborn to elder. Each one arrived with their own personalities and needs. We look forward to living with your pets who are already secure in their very own homes! We will maintain your schedule, and follow instructions for your pet's comfort and safety -- and for your peace of mind!
REFERENCES POSTED BELOW- SCROLL DOWN
Our hobbies and skills range from gardening and forest management (we lived on a tree farm) to do-it-yourself home maintenance and technology projects. We tend to stay at home in the evenings, reading and playing with the current animal resident. 30 years of experience in property management, teaching responsibilities, foreign travel and pet care are our qualifications. Let us look after the well being of your home and pets while you travel worry free.
REFERENCES: October 5, 2014
To whom it may concern:
Kathie Hagwell and Diane Garmo are both responsible, mature, kindly and reasonable people. I have always been impressed with their integrity. My husband and I have been guests at their BnB on numerous occasions over several years. They keep a very tidy house and grounds, and treat the foster dogs in their home with much kindness, but I never see a dog left in a position to do property damage. They are respected in their community and by their friends and neighbors. They are very well traveled and seem quite adaptable to different cultures.
I think anyone who had them as house sitters or pet caretakers would be lucky indeed.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about them.
Sincerely,
Sara Tuck
CINDY ENGER
Evanston, Illinois
Kathie and Diane took care of my sweet pup, Homer, while I was away. While caring for Homer, they stayed in my home. Not only were they attentive and loving towards my dog, they also took amazingly great care of my home. That is an understatement -- my house was cleaner upon my return than when I left! And Homer was happy as can be. I recommend Kathie and Diane highly. They are truly a great team.
KATIE HERRELL
Monterey, California
Better than I could have ever imagined
When I began thinking about getting a pet sitter for my senior pup I was nervous to say the least. I put up my ad and got a handful of responses quickly. Both my boyfriend and I looked over the applications separately and agreed that Kathie and Diane were at the top of both of our lists. After a Skype session with them in Mexico it was a done deal. They arrived a few days before we left both for their convenience but also for my peace of mind and to make it an easier transition for the dog. Getting to know them was amazing. I was able to show them around a bit, did a quick run to the vet so they knew where to go and give them a brief lay of the land. When it came time to leave I was in tears. In 13.5 years I've never left my dog with anyone other than my parents or my boyfriend and it hit me that I was leaving my baby with people I just met. They sent us what we referred to as "pupdates" which we both looked forward to and it really put us both at ease. I knew from the photos she was happy, well taken care of and I was worried for nothing. They kept my baby on her routine (frankly better than I do), were kind, clean, organized and took absolutely great care of both the dog and the house in the face of the wettest winter California has seen in over a decade. When we came home Natalee turned to Kathie and Diane to go outside. I've never seen her become so attached to anyone so quickly that it blew me away and warmed my heart. She had formed such an incredible bond that for two days after they left she would go into the room looking for them. Her new friends were gone but not forgotten. Words can't ever adequately explain what an incredibly positive experience I had with Kathie and Diane. Their kindness and caring for my dog and my home, their warm hearts and sweet spirits and the great conversations we shared made it a truly unforgettable experience. I wouldn't hesitate to have them watch Nat again and can't ever recommend them highly enough. I regularly tout my fabulous experience of their stay and care of my fur baby to our travel group of over 400k when others are looking for someone to watch their pets. I would love to have them watch Nat again (as I'm sure she would as well) or just come for a visit. You are both incredible people and I can't thank you enough for taking such good care of little Nat. I will never forget your kindness and I hope that you will come visit us again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With love from Katie, Sean and Natalee
Verifications
Verification level
Enhanced level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (7), Identity & Document Check, Criminal Background Check (issue date: 29 May 2017)
All Standard and Enhanced 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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Fish
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Small pet
Availability
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Kathie and (bennie) diane have done 9 house sits since 2014
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SitgesSpainJan 2019 -
BarcelonaSpainDec 2018 - Jan 2019 -
AjijicMexicoDec 2017 -
San Miguel de AllendeMexicoDec 2017 -
ChapalaMexicoDec 2016 -
FaroPortugalOct - Nov 2016 -
CelayaMexicoMar 2016 -
CelayaMexicoMar 2016
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QueanbeyanAustraliaNov 2015 - Jan 2016
