Occasionally we come across homeowners who are insistent on booking a solo house or pet sitter. Oftentimes, we hear from them again because they haven't found one, and oftentimes we're already booked elsewhere. So why would someone want only a solo sitter?
Let's look first at the motivation for being a house or pet sitter on a no-charge basis. No one is doing this close to home and not charging for it. Why put in the work? The primary motivation for free pet sitters is so that they can travel and exchange great service for accommodation. That's what the win-win is all about.
Sitters are on point 24/7 for homeowners. However, sitters are human too! Family emergencies, health issues and other things come up for them like everybody else. Perhaps that job came through, or a family member fell ill. We've had things come up for ourselves... For me, dental work -- and the only dentist I'll let touch me is five states away. We've been contacted by homeowners whose sole sitter cancelled last minute too, for whatever reason.
Sitting as a team, we remain flexible and have always been on task and present as promised. When I visited my dentist, John was on the job and there was 100% continuity.
I will allow for the rare situation in which there just isn't enough room for a couple, or perhaps there's a dog who goes absolutely insane in the presence of men. But I remind people that we're animal folks. We get them, and they get us. I've mentioned often that John is a cat whisperer, and homeowners are frequently amazed when I send them pics of their man-fearing cat asleep on his lap.
Do some homeowners think their home is safer with only one person on the job? I don't know. I can only tell you that when one homeowner's water tank let loose it took two people to move the furniture, run for the dehumidifier and wait for the plumber. And when the stranger was touring through the property it was John who investigated (he was from the power company).
So I still don't understand the reason why some homeowners insist on a solo sitter, when they could be getting two for the price of one! (Free!)
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