rebeccakool.com

When I’m not writing you can find me living in someone else’s home caring for their animals while they are away on sun-drenched beaches drinking cold, colourful drinks with chunks of fruit and an umbrella.

“Don’t quit your day job”!  Sound advice given to artists—singers, writers, painters, performers.  Aside from creating extra income,  pet/house sitting is something I like to do.  Why?  Well, I currently live in a verrrrrry small apartment.  Not that I mind; I kind of like that I can locate everything I need by scooting on my office chair from my desk to whatever it is I need.  But a change is as good as a rest, isn’t it?  The homes I “sit” all have good beds;  I have a good bed and that’s pretty much my number one requirement.  If I can’t sleep well, I can’t do my job well. Simple.  Aside from good beds, the home probably has a dishwasher;  I don’t.  Maybe a hot tub?  Waterfront views?  A huge flatscreen TV with 4 remotes which requiring a tutorial ? Likely all of these amenities plus.  Another plus is lots of space!  And let’s not forget…a four-legged friend. I can’t have animals where I live so I get my cat/dog fix in a different way.

I can still write while carrying out my tasks.  I’m out walking two hours a day and have all the rest of the time to complete projects I might bring, create some website posts, or work on correspondence and, yes, the next book.  Have laptop, will travel.  In fact, I’ve just fed the dog and while she’s occupied grooming herself, I can toss off this post! Pretty nice.

Now, did I lock the basement door?  What about lights?  Don’t forget to turn down the thermostat.  Oh, yes, one last bathroom break for my charge. Bedtime comes early; my doggy likes to be out and on the road just before sunrise.  She can tell time and knows exactly when to wake me.  Honest.  Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got a dog!

My clients return tomorrow and I go back to my nest.  I enter my apartment saying “tada-ima” (I’m home!). It will be good to be back after a week.  Everything will be just as I left it.

Now, where was I…..