Versatile Housesitter

More information about this house sitter

I would be interested in looking after your property and caring for your pets.
My name is Pauline and I am a primary teacher who is available for house sitting weekends (Victoria) and school holidays (Australia wide). I have attached to this profile some references from home owners, whose homes and pets I have looked after.
I have also rented properties in a variety of locations due to different teaching jobs and have received good reports from their owners. I am a non smoker.
Due to my interest in gardening, I enjoy visiting open gardens, exploring plant nurseries and community markets and walking around neighborhoods looking at local gardens. I start my days with pottering in the garden and would be happy to care for your garden.
I have broad experiences of looking after animals, both my own pets and other people’s animals. These included birds, dogs, cats, reptiles, farm animals and native wildlife. I worked for five years at Healesville Sanctuary, which is part of the Melbourne Zoological parks, as an education officer. I have bred and shown both cats and dogs such as Turkish Van and Birman cats and Japanese Spitz , Jack Russell Terriers and Shetland sheepdogs. I have also participated in obedience competitions for dogs.
My other interests are visiting historical properties, open gardens and art galleries, along with hobbies such gardening and sculpturing with glass and sandstone.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Pauline H--------
References Included Below – copy from original documents.:-

HOUSE & PET SITTING REFERENCE- Pauline H------ (Feb 2015)
 
I highly recommend Pauline as a Pet/House sitter, after she took exceptional care of our 6yo Golden Retriever.
She diligently discussed his needs prior to staying and it was clear to me that they bonded closely.
She took him for lots of walks (which he loves!!!) and kept him company.
 
In particular I was impressed with Pauline’s dog training experience.
My dog is often afraid of low flying aircraft, however Pauline researched and applied techniques that led to a marked improvement.
 
The house was left immaculately clean and I will be asking Pauline to return in the future.
 
Andrew.
Southbank, Melbourne

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To Homeowners

I recently had the pleasure of Pauline as a house and pet sitter. She is just like a fairy godmother!
I chose Pauline for lots of reasons, but mainly because she took particularly care to ask thoughtful, insightful questions to understand the special needs of my elderly dog. She took fantastic care of not only my special boy, Jethro and my young, scallywag cat – but also of a local neighbourhood dog who had lost its way.
I was welcomed home by flowers and a potted plant left by Pauline, as well as a garden that had obviously seen some unexpected attention during my absence.
Pauline left the house as she had found it, with all the linen washed and drying on the line. She went to great lengths to not use many of my supplies, even though I had told to use whatever she wanted.
Pauline really is like a fairy godmother and I am very happy to vouch for her as a highly capable, competent and caring house/pet sitter and would have no hesitation in welcoming her back.
Jill,
Tasmania.


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July 2014
To Whom It May Concern,
Pauline H----- housesat for me when I was away for a couple of weeks in May 2014. Pauline responded to my ad on the Happy Housesitters website and we communicated by e-mail and text prior to my departure. I was very impressed with Pauline's references and the easy communication we shared prior to meeting in person. I met Pauline the day before I left and was immediately very comfortable with leaving my home and cat in Pauline's capable hands.

Pauline's approach to housesitting was meticulous, she ensured all bases were covered and made sure she could contact me in case of emergency. She was also very concerned for the welfare of my cat and asked for detailed instructions regarding his care and vet details if required.

I arrived home to a beautifully clean house, and a very contented cat. My garden had been watered and weeded in my absence. In short, Pauline went above and beyond the call of duty as a housesitter and I would have no hesitation in recommending Pauline to other home owners.

I would be happy to give a verbal recommendation and further information if required, as per contact details below.

Sincerely,
Michelle G......... - Cairns QLD 4870


Re: Pauline Halpin

To Whom it May Concern

Pauline H------ looked after our house, pets and garden for us for 2.5 weeks in March/April of this year.

We have since dubbed Pauline our Fairy Godmother! She was wonderful. As soon as we met her we knew she is an honest, reliable and trustworthy person. We had no qualms about leaving everything with her, and would again in a heartbeat.

Upon arriving home we found the house was clean and Pauline had even washed the bed linen! She had also not only kept our garden alive but done extra work in it, which was amazing. Our two cats were fabulously taken care of, and even the one who usually hides in the wardrobe for days when we have visitors was happily sitting on Pauline’s lap after only a couple of days.

Pauline’s a lovely kind person who we would highly recommend for any house sitting gig she was being considered for. The people would be lucky to have her. We certainly were.

We’re happy to be contacted if you would like to discuss further.

Carlene and Neil
Canberra

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REFERENCE FOR PAULINE H------
Pauline house sat for my husband & I in April 20014 for 9 days. Her main responsibilities were to take care of our dog Bogart (including twice daily walks) & a small garden & general house sitting .
Her profile & references really stood out from the rest because she provided all relevant information you really want to know when trying to find a house sitter (especially the first time as was the case for us).
Pauline was very helpful, thoughtful & respectful in all interactions (via email & phone) from the outset. She had thought of so many questions to ask & check in with us about, she made us feel like we were in good hands, she was someone we could trust & a true professional . There were often things we hadn’t thought of ourselves, somewhat due to lack of time from dealing with 3 young kids.
Right from our first planned phone call to prepare for the day of our departure, she was very focused on how she could best support us with our exit plan. I felt I could immediately trust Pauline in my home shortly into the conversation. When I explained our place wouldn’t be perfectly clean, but mostly tidy due to busy family & work life, she commented “so it’s a family home, not a display home” & made me relax immediately.
Pauline had to manage a hard situation where one of our front door locks broke while we were away. The way she dealt with it was very responsible & helpful, getting our neighbour to double check the problem as requested by us & then arranging a locksmith. She paid for this upfront & was fine about my replaying her after we got home from our holiday, a week later.
When we got home the house appeared as if a professional cleaner had come in. She had fresh flowers on the table & it was such a pleasure to return to. Pauline really extends herself & goes above & beyond to really care for your place responsibly & respectfully. When I think of Pauline, I think “ peace of mind”, which is just what you really want when you can’t be home yourself.
There are other examples of Pauline excelling herself I could speak about on request, but suffice to say she did a great job & we would thoroughly recommend her.

Sonya F
Sydney

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To Whom It May concern,

Pauline completed a two week house sit in August 2014; primarily to care for our 16 year old Abyssinian cat ‘Abbie’ who thinks it is her right to make extraordinary demands on her carers.   During our absence Abbie was given  the best of attention, with Pauline even providing a larger litter  tray to prevent ‘accidental spills’.
 
Everything was easy; right from communicating with Pauline about the house sit; her emails were always prompt. We met with her the day prior to the commencement of the house sit and orientated her to our home and what we required during our absence. Everything we asked for was carried out. Pauline left our home clean neat and tidy; which is just what you need when you return from a holiday with a suitcase full of washing!
 
We have no hesitation in recommending Pauline H-------; especially if you are looking for a house sitter who takes pride in looking after your home and pets.
 
Robyn and Neville
Skennars Head NSW 2478
 

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Byanda–Vanwillow Cattery
KELVIN GROVE QLD 4059


6 March 2014
TO THOSE CONSIDERING EMPLOYING
PAULINE H-------- TO HOUSE- AND PET-SIT
I have known Pauline H-------- since 1990 when I purchased my first Turkish Van cat. Pauline was an established, registered and well-respected breeder of Turkish Vans and was kind enough to allow me to use one of her stud cats for my first mating. queens.
I have visited, and stayed with, Pauline at her home in Victoria and also stayed at her late mother’s residence with her. Pauline’s care for her animals was impeccable and loving. She had endless patience with animals (both cats and dogs) that were shy, rescued, or aging. Where necessary, she regained ownership of kittens she had sold when those who had purchased them could no longer care for the animals in a manner of which Pauline approved. Pauline exhibited great patience in ensuring that these animals regained their confidence and returned to being happy and satisfying pets One of these returned Turkish Vans remained with Pauline for many years, dying only last year at the age of 19 years (an outstanding life span for a cat). She was an ethical and professional breeder who concern was always for the animals and not for any potential income.
I have no doubt that Pauline can be entrusted with the care of any domestic animal and the home in which it resides. I recommend her most highly for employment in such situations at any time.
Please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone at the number listed above should you require any further information.

BERNADETTE J. ROBERTS (BSc, DipEd, BEdSt, MSc, FACE)
Groups 1, 2 and 4 Judge with the Australian Cat Federation Inc.
& Retired CEO, Tertiary Entrance Procedures Authority, Queensland


 

Hi Pauline

Please feel free to give our number to other house owners if you feel it's appropriate.  Happy to talk with them.

I seriously just don't know how you could be any better a housesitter Pauline.  Truly, you went above and beyond for us with everything and it was amazing and deeply appreciated. :) And of course you were so forgiving of the shemozzle that was our household at the time.

I hope you're well and still enjoying housesitting and your time off from work.

Hope to see you again sometime!
Carlene

Hi Pauline, 

Sorry it has taken me a few days to send this e-mail. I was quite unwell when I arrived home Sunday night.

I just wanted to say how lovely it was coming home to the house looking so clean, and CC has barely stopped purring. I have never heard so much purring come from one cat. I took your advice and ordered him a cat bed on line yesterday so he will enjoy sitting in the sun off the ground. I noticed he was out on the lawn today and took him out a chair which he seemed to enjoy. We used to have a lot of cane toads at our old house and he seems to keep away from them but thank you for being vigilant  Thank you for all your weeding efforts too, you have done a great job and certainly went above and beyond and saved me from having to do it when I got home.

I feel so fortunate to have had you looking after the house and CC, and as I mentioned I was really comfortable knowing you were here.

Thank you so much for everything Pauline and I am so glad you enjoyed being in Cairns.

Kind regards, 

Michelle. Read more...