It started with Pizza Money

Back in 2014, a dear friend asked if I could hang out with her two dogs while she was out of town. Easy yes. At the time, I didn’t have pets of my own, so the chance to soak up dog time was pure joy. Win-win.

When I came back the next day, I found a surprise: a little pizza money “for my troubles.” (Spoiler: there were no troubles — just a lot of happy tail wags and bonus cuddles.)

From then on, every time she went out of town, I was back at her place caring for my favorite pups east of the Mississippi. (My favorites west of the Mississippi are in South Dakota — no favoritism here, just geography.) Soon, other friends started asking too. Shy cats, dramatic chihuahuas, pity-party pit bulls, the occasional rodent… I became the go-to sitter. And honestly? It was magical.

Then came Covid. No one was traveling, and I still didn’t have pets of my own. Something was missing. In September 2021, I brought home my girl, Juniper. She’s been the best thing in my life ever since (don’t tell my partner I said that).

As the world opened up again, so did the pet care. I was back to doing drop-ins, and in March 2022 I started volunteering at Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC). That changed everything. I found my people — fellow animal lovers, foster parents, and shelter staff who care as deeply as I do. I even met my partner there, along with friends I can’t imagine my life without.

Word started to spread. More people reached out, referrals came in, and before long, my little side gig wasn’t so little anymore. In September 2024, after years in healthcare billing, I decided to trade spreadsheets for squeaky toys.

Now? Pet sitting is my full-time gig. I bring 11 years of pet care experience, 3 years of shelter and foster work (including with behavioral needs), and a whole lot of love for the furry, scaly, and shelled.

What started as pizza money turned into purpose. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.