Once upon a time (three months ago), I opened up my calendar to pet sitting opportunities, and the work poured in. While it was super steady in the moment, a huge bulk of the jobs came in from June, July, and August, but I couldn’t spend too much time thinking about those. But now, those days are here and it is crunch time! This past week alone, I had one longterm housesitting job, with walks and drop ins scheduled in between. I’m caring for a total of three dogs (not including the pugs), three cats, and one parrot. No partridge in a pear tree required. Grateful? Yes. Exhausted, heck yes! But we are pulling through and making it happen.
Sunday
- Cardio: 5.75 mile, walking
Happy June 1, the start of #StreakingWithTheCoolKids! I got off to a strong beginning… I really do love a challenge!
Sunday was my last calm day for quite some time, so I took advantage of it. I did laundry, worked, and chilled on the couch. I finally watched the Midnight Mass series, and I loved it. Horror isn’t really my genre, but I found this so much deeper.
Monday
- Cardio: 2.90 miles, running
I was up early to squeeze in this short little run.
My job for the day was driving A and his girlfriend to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We left the house around 6:15AM, and I dropped them at the parks right at 9AM. Then I scooted off to the nearby coffee shop for some remote working. At lunchtime, I gathered my things and went to visit my beautiful friend Meghan, who works in the area. And then I returned to my spot, only to have Mr PugRunner find me and join me for a bit. He was actually on his way to a conference in Tampa for the next few days.
As evening approached, I took myself to Citywalk and treated myself to this CowFish bento box… it comes with a mini slider, edamame, thai cucumber salad, sweet potato fries and a four piece roll (I got spicy tuna). It was perfect: a little bit of everything.
The kids wanted to get milkshakes and take a few pictures, but finally, we got it together and made it home by 9:30. I was exhausted.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 4.78 miles, running
But no rest for this girl! I had to pop up early again to get in my run. A and I were going to meet my parents for breakfast, and then I had to get him to work. It was great seeing them, and we made plans for my mom’s birthday in a few weeks.
Mr PugRunner decided to stay one more night in Tampa, so we adjusted our schedules accordingly.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 4.58 miles, walking
Someone had a super early dentist appointment so off we went to that, after my walk, of course.
We got breakfast, and then I packed my bags to “move in” to my housesit for the next 10 days. Since I have some clients in my neighborhood as well, it’s easy to pop by the house to swap out dirty laundry for clean, and take a shower if need be.
Thursday
- Cardio: 6.48 miles, running
New house, new scenery. Love that for me.
Now for the bad news. Smoke and the Saharan Dust Plume. They are crushing me. My eyes are itchy and my sinuses are so swollen. I spent the entire night sneezing and am quite miserable.
Friday
- Cardio: 5.92 miles, walking
I normally run on Fridays, but I felt terrible, and tired, so I just walked. I wasn’t happy, but it was the smart decision.
It was National Donut Day, and I didn’t even make it to get a donut! My timing was off, and so I will just have to make it up tomorrow. Devastating.
Saturday
- Cardio: 5.32 miles, walking
My allergies have me down, so this was a fairly lazy day. Fortunately, I only had one other drop in so not too much to stress about. Of course, I still had to get in my miles.
Thoughts + Goals
All in all, it was a good week. Things were solid in the mileage camp, and I feel like my streak will continue just fine.
This upcoming week will be a bit chaotic as we head into Father’s Day, and I’m happy that we are inching closer and closer to July.
Things are getting a little bit easier, thank goodness. Our year has definitely been a tough time, for sure, but I pride our family on the ability to rally and get through even the worst of times, so we will continue to push.
In Case You Missed It
- Tornado Warning + Summer Vacation
- Let’s Celebrate Global Running Day 2025
- Ultimate Coffee Date: Let’s Enjoy June Coffee
Anyone else dealing with allergies? How about all the heat? How was your week in training?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
A parrot! Cool. I hope it’s a nice one. Our pet sitter gets so busy we check with her on dates before we book a holiday …
She is not! However, by my third visit she accepted that I was there and was going to give her food and water, so she stopped charging me. I take all the wins I can get!
Your schedule sounds exhausting! It has to be hard to be away from home too, but I’m sure caring for all the pets makes up for it. Hang in there, Jenn!
May and June were/are hard. Once I get through next Saturday, I am on a fairly easy schedule, which I am not adding anymore clients to. But yes the pets are mostly incredible.
LOL on the partridge in the pear tree — maybe that should be your Rover goal for December? 😉
I think the house-sitting would be the hardest part — I assume that means you’re sleeping there? I hate packing and miss my little routines at home.
Be careful with that air quality. There was smoke from the Canadian fires in Minneapolis this week and the sky was a hazy orange. 🙁
Birds are not my favorites, so that’s a no on the partridge LOL.
Yes. House-sitting (for me) means sleeping at the owner’s home, and then being available for scheduled feedings and potty breaks. I am currently at my farthest away client, which is about eight miles from my house. She was just outside my range when we had our first meeting, but I took a chance and she uses me often. I bring clothes and food … some clients leave me money for food or snacks to eat or tell me to help myself to what’s in their fridge and cabinets. I haven’t cooked at anyone’s house yet because most of them have gas stoves and we have electric so I’m not comfortable doing that. My clients with great neighborhood amenities usually leave me access to those, and the ones with pools have told me to feel free to use it. I try to go home once a day, even if it’s just to drop off laundry and make a hot meal, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.
I had a feeling you would be super successful in this pet sitting endeavor! Busy is a compliment! Way to fit in all your walks and runs this week too!
It is a compliment, and I get so many requests that are like “I see that you’re booked, but just wanted to double check” or “tell me what dates you CAN watch our pets and that’s what we’ll schedule.” I’m grateful for that.
I had about the dust but I don’t think we got much of it here. At least, I didn’t notice it (but I also didn’t exercise outside on Thursday.) Hope you’re feeling better and your allergies calm down.
Those pets (and their owners) are lucky to have you! I can see how things got so busy now- it’s vacation time. Good luck with everything.
I’m feeling a lot better, but now we just have the heat and humidity. Joy.
I’ve had to turn down so many people, and I hate it. At a certain point, I can’t provide great care, if I don’t have the time to do it so that’s what I’m currently dealing with. Hopefully, things will even out a little.
How awesome that your pet setting business is going gang busters. Well done, Jenn!
thank you!
A parrot! How interesting! I love that you are so popular on Rover!!
I love it, too LOL but I need to regroup. I really don’t get home very much and while that’s cool for the immediate moment, I need to get a handle on that.
You are so busy pet sitting! I’m the worst cat mom. Our cat care is literally the last thing I think of before we leave out of town and I make arrangements the week of! Luckily we have a few options of neighbors who help us out so there is usually not a problem getting cat care. During our camping trip my neighbor asked “Do you have two cats? I only saw one.” haha! I know they are both fine, just not so friendly these days.
I think cats are a little easier to manage care for… If you have enough feeders, automatic water bowls, and litter boxes, they could be just fine on their own for a bit especially if they aren’t friendly. Most of the cats I’ve watched are a bit more particular and challenging in their needs, which can be tough but no complaints so far!
Congrats on the success of your pet-sitting! If it’s something you love, it probably doesn’t’ seem too much like “work,” right?
It can feel like work, especially when I’m trying to schedule in my different clients. Most of the animals are amazing, so the actual time spent with them is glorious. It’s the driving, and the potty accidents for the puppies, and the cats that won’t cooperate that stress me out.
I’m fascinated that a Saharan dust plume makes it all the way to Florida! I hope you feel better soon.
Challenges are fun! Looks like you’re doing well with the streaking!
Across a whole ocean! I’m feeling so much better, but air quality was awful.
I love the Streak Challenge… It’s a great motivator.
Whoa, you’re watching a parrot? That sounds pretty cool! Have you done that before? Love that bento box – it does sound PERFECT! Now I want sushi and edamame ha. Glad your pet sitting is going wel!
This is my first parrot as a sitter, but I used to own budgies and parakeets (way back in the day), so I am not entirely unfamiliar. She’s pretty cool, although I don’t handle her. I’ll take her tolerating me as a win.
The sushi and edamame and everything was so perfect.