The Heart Behind
Buddy Pet Sitting
I grew up with English Springer Spaniels — first Barney, a solid black beauty who could’ve been a show dog, but instead chose the role of protector and best friend to my brother and me. From the time I could crawl, Barney let me climb all over him, never once flinching in his unwavering loyalty and patience.
After Barney passed, our family discovered rescue and welcomed Jack, a liver-and-white Springer from the English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America. He was sensitive, avoided water at all costs despite his breed, and deeply intuitive — and he taught me my first real lessons about respecting dogs’ individuality and boundaries. Jack made me pay attention. He showed me how powerful it is to patiently earn the trust of a dog who has been through trauma. He became my soul dog through the most formative years of my life.
Alongside Jack, I grew up with cats: Lucy, our ‘queen of the castle’ black cat who ruled the household with quiet authority; Trixie, our elegant tabby who would judge your choices from across the room; and Lupe, a half feral half panther who brought levity and love to every corner of our lives. Each of them helped shape my deep respect for animals’ unique personalities and the importance of meeting them where they are.
When I moved to Humboldt County to study art, I began volunteering at Sequoia Humane Society. I’d walk dogs in the mornings before heading to my job at a local coffee shop. Every day, a wiry little Parson Russell Terrier would catch my eye as he walked by with his owner — and eventually, he caught my heart.
That was Buddy.
I started pet sitting Buddy anytime his person went out of town. I didn't even want money — just time with him. When I moved back to the Bay Area after college, I’d still drive up north to care for him. Eventually, his owner had a child and asked me to take Buddy in full time. I drove up the very next day. From that point on, Buddy was my copilot through everything: love, loss, work, life transitions. He grounded me and reminded me what mattered most — unconditional love.
Dogs, no matter what they’ve been through, give their love freely. Buddy was a constant reminder of that truth. While I built a career in tech and customer success, my real joy was always waiting at home — in the form of a little terrier with a huge heart.
When Buddy passed from cancer in 2020, my life changed. Buddy had lost his hearing in old age, so I worked with a trainer and taught him sign language — that opened my heart to Ruby, a deaf mutt who has challenged and has taught me lessons every day since. She’s entirely different from Buddy, and that’s exactly the point. Each dog teaches me something new.
I left tech behind to run a dog rescue in Sonoma and am now building Heart Dog Harbor, a sanctuary in Winters that I’m founding with my partner Caysen. We share our lives with Ruby, Bella, Stella, and Cliffy — our blended pack of four incredible dogs who remind us daily why this work matters.
Pet sitting is a natural extension of that mission. It’s about giving animals the safety, care, and dignity they deserve — and it’s all because of Buddy. He made me who I am. And that’s why I named this business after him: Buddy Pet Sitting.
