Gabriel

Hi there! I'm Gabriel the Pet Whisperer.

I've been taking care of pets for their owners/parents, and training them since I was a child, but am new to this website. 

I often travel, and am now a digital nomad, so I can't responsibly have pets of my own. I'm making up for it by being of service to you and your pets. 

I have a world class (human) mental health and communication background, and have taught at a university level. I understand animal communication, and have a knack for building trust and bonding with animals. 

Recently, a vicious pitbull - kidnapped as a puppy and forced to fight in underground arenas, who hates men especially, and can't leave the house without trying to murder anything that moves - stepped gingerly up onto my lap and kissed my face. This is a day in the life for me.

When I'm in the city I have been helping my fellow traveling friends to house sit, and have been walking and doing basic training with puppies since elementary school with treats, eye contact, and modified clicker(-free) training and behavioural conditioning.

I do not use punishment as a discipline tactic. 

I can brush and clip nails, manage special diets, and deliver medicine if necessary. If they are on a schedule, please have it in writing, and sent by email. I will take photos to show completion of time-sensitive activities/routines, and stay in touch about any changes or challenges. 

If my availability shows as open, it means I'm in town, and I can stay for just about any length of time. You may have to check in with me for bookings over a month. 

Your home is sacred and I will treat it as such:

Beyond personal hygiene and cleanliness, you can expect basic upkeep and homemaking (my mother taught me well), and if your pet takes homemade meals I am, in fact, a chef fantastique.

If you have a garden - either outdoor or indoor you can count on my green thumb and passion for plants to keep your blooming bébés alive and thriving. 

You want to feel secure when leaving your pet in the care of someone, and I can offer you that security and peace of mind if my availability is open. 

Also, if they don't bring in the newspaper, I will!

I will regularly update you on the status of your home and pet. If you receive mail or visitors you can count at least a daily update. Or, if you prefer to be left alone or more frequently updated, that can be arranged too. 

I'm a digital nomad so my schedule is flexible. 

I am fit, and can take your pooch for runs, I can and do play, occasionally for hours, and definitely multiple times a day. I don't have a driver's license, so you may want to keep that in mind if you have appointments more than a 1hr walk away, or if your appointment isn't TTC accessible. 

WiFi is non negotiable, and the password must be photographed and sent to me before you leave for your trip because I work from home, and any details regarding your internet service provider should be available, in case the internet goes down for more than a couple days, or at least accessible to you so you can send me the details. I can also supervise home care/construction, and/or let workers in and out, document their work and attendance, but I need to know if there will be noise to prepare my workday. 

Any expenses such as food, medicine, grooming, or appointments must be paid for/ purchased in advance, or funds must be available for me to purchase. Receipts will be collected, and any additional fees paid out of pocket will be documented and must be reimbursed. We love good karma! All bookings are done through the site, and I don't take tips. 

I always keep at least a few days' buffer after our booking in case your flight or gets cancelled or your travel plans change for whatever reason and you need me to stay longer. Standard rates apply, but I will be amenable to sudden changes in plans unless otherwise noted. I prefer to have a local emergency contact in case I can't get a hold of you, as well as the contact of your vet, and any home or pet service providers you anticipate might be involved in you or your pet's life while you are gone - all in writing and sent by email. 

Check my posted schedule, and please reach out to me if you have any questions. 

I look forward to loving your pet in your stead. 

Warmly,

Gabriel