Lyons, Australian Capital Territory

We are looking for a calm, reliable, and compassionate house sitter to care for our much-loved pets while we travel for four weeks in September. Our principal requirement is to have house-sitters who can be attentive to the needs or our 13-year-old border collie, Poppy. She is a sweet old girl, but she is slowing down. A couple of short walks a day, affection and reassurance is what she needs. She can be left alone, but not overnight.

Our home is in Lyons, Canberra, and the sit would suit someone who enjoys a quiet environment and is happy to spend time at home.

About Poppy 🐕
Poppy is a 13-year-old border collie with a gentle nature and a strong attachment to her people:
- She has osteoarthritis in her lower back
- She is emotionally sensitive and thrives on companionship
- She enjoys short, gentle daily walks
- She can be a little stiff getting up, especially earlier in the day

She doesn’t need intensive care, but she does need:
- Patience and attentiveness
- Someone who notices changes in her mobility or comfort
- A calm, reassuring presence
- She will want to be near you most of the time.

Our other pet is an easy-care 5-year-old Burmese cat, Madame Zhou.

The home:
Comfortable, quiet Canberra home with everything you need for an extended stay.

We would prefer someone who:
- Is home a good part of the day (remote worker, retiree, or similar)
- Is experienced with older dogs
- Is confident and sensible in case of an unexpected issue
What we’re looking for:
- Mature, responsible, and observant
- Genuine affection for animals, especially senior dogs
- Able to maintain a consistent daily routine
- Comfortable contacting a vet if needed

Ours is a spacious three-bedroom home occupying 3.5 levels. There is a flight of stairs from the entrance to the main level, and another flight of stairs to the ensuite bedroom upstairs. We try to confine Poppy - our senior border collie - to the main level on account of difficulty climbing stairs. There is a ground-floor guest space with a kitchenette and ensuite. There is WiFi coverage throughout the property, and we subscribe to multiple streaming platforms. The house is situated on a quiet cul-de-sac, has a new kitchen, and elevated outdoor verandas with views across the Woden Valley. We back onto a nature reserve with access via our rear gate with walking tracks and abundant wildlife. We are within 1 km of local shops and 3km of Westfield shopping centre. A stop for the regular rapid bus services into Canberra's downtown is a 15-minute walk or a 2-minute drive. We would suggest using the ensuite master bedroom upstairs (queen bed) because that will be most familiar to Poppy and our cat Zhou. Zhou usually sleeps on our bed, but we will leave that to your discretion. Off-street parking is available. Our second car will be available for use if needed.

Our suburb is centrally located. We are within a 25-minute drive of most parts of Canberra. Our home has fantastic views to the east and receives generous morning sun. Kangaroos graze in the reserve just outside our back gate and walking tracks lead to the summit of a hill offering 360º views. Read more...