Zeus’s house was very modern, beautifully calm and unusually generous with places to sit. Every room seemed to offer another possible headquarters for reading, writing or drinking a coffee while keeping one ear tuned to the dog.

There was a leafy balcony tucked beyond the living room, a pair of sunny chairs along the deck and a big dining table that invited you to spread out a book. Choosing where to have the next coffee became one of the gentler decisions of the sit.

A comfortable home changes the rhythm of pet sitting. You settle in instead of hovering, the animal relaxes into your presence and the hours between feeds and walks feel less like waiting and more like temporarily belonging to a small household. Even our sleeping quarters felt more like a private suite than a spare room.

“The hardest household decision was choosing which excellent chair deserved the next cup of coffee.”
Two white reading chairs on a sunny timber deck overlooking a green garden.
A sunny corner for a book, a coffee and one ear listening for Zeus.
A light timber dining table in a modern, plant-filled home.
The dining table: another very acceptable headquarters between feeds.
A spacious guest bedroom with a large bed, reading chair and garden outlook.
Our spacious sleeping quarters—more private suite than spare room.
A translucent amber retro coffee mug with a dark green handle.
The amber glass mug: our indoor morning-coffee choice.
A glowing amber retro coffee mug on an outdoor table.
The same amber mug, looking even more seventies in the deck light.
A red stoneware coffee cup with an amber glass mug behind it.
Two cups, one sit: red stoneware in front and amber glass keeping watch.

Make space for the sitter, too

Clear pet instructions are essential, but a simple invitation to use the table, balcony or favourite reading chair also helps a sitter feel at home. Comfortable sitters are more likely to relax into the animal’s normal routine instead of feeling like cautious visitors.

Field note

One useful question

“Tell your sitter which parts of the home they are welcome to enjoy—and where you would rather they did not go.”

Zeus supplied the routine; the house supplied the reading corners. The gloriously retro amber and red cups simply travelled between them.

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