REPOSTING DUE TO CANCELLATION
Hi, I am Dom. I live in the Poitou region in Western France and I am looking for preferably 1, possibly 2 cat lover(s) to keep company to my beloved cat for up to 2 months starting around 25th February.
The place:
A 3-bedroom house with a garden in a hamlet with neighbours, located 5 min from the small spa town of La Roche-Posay, 22 km from Chatellerault and 1 hour from Poitiers, both of which connect to Paris by train in 1 h 30. La Roche-Posay is a historical spa town that gave its name to L’Oréal’s famous skin care range produced here. It’s in a bucolic area south of the Loire valley with old villages, historical places, woods and rivers. The town has a weekly market, a supermarket, a couple of restaurants, a cinema (even a golf, a racetrack and a casino). You can go on free guided nature walks, go horse-riding, cycle, take yoga classes or relax at the spa, but it’s not very busy in the low season so best for people who like peace and quiet.
Simple but clean and comfy house with a brand-new bathroom and even a fireplace. You will stay in a large bedroom on the ground floor, quite separate from the rest. The living space (including the bathroom) will be shared with me until I leave. Good unlimited internet with Starlink for Netflix and Zoom calls.
You definitely need a car to live here. If you don’t come with your own vehicle, I can lend you my small car at certain conditions.
The stay:
I am looking for someone who can stay for up to 2 months. I would like you to arrive a week before I leave in late February so that my shy cat can get used to you. During this time, I’ll be mostly upstairs working online so you’ll be free to use the space, and I’ll show you around the area on my free time. All I ask is that you buy and cook your own food but we’ll still share a good meal and wine from time to time. Apart from the cat, your other responsibilities once I’m gone will be to keep the house clean and mow the lawn once or twice (a 30 min job). You can garden as well if that’s something you enjoy.
The cat:
Yoldjou (means “the traveler” in Turkish) is a neutered male cat and very special to me. Since I live alone and work from home, he is used to having company and is not one of these independent cats – in fact, he acts more like a dog. He is sweet though and often goes outside, but he will ask for food and cuddles several times a day, so I am looking for someone who will interact with him often. Make him feel cared for and let him snuggle on their bed at night. Other responsibilities include sending me regular pictures and updates of Yoldjou, cleaning the litter and checking on him if he’s gone for too long (which he very rarely does). Lock him inside at night and when you go out. He can stay alone for several hours, and even a whole day from time to time. Please only apply if you can commit to this.
You:
A calm person who ideally will spend quite a lot of time at home working online or on a project. Someone gentle who loves and understands cats and can tell when they are unwell or injured. Responsible, uncomplicated and self-reliant with some life experience. Also reasonably tidy and happy to share the space with me for a few days. Previous petsitting experience and references preferred.
You must have a valid driving license and be a confident driver if you want to borrow my car.
Me:
I am a French woman in my early fifties working in translation. I have lived most of my adult life abroad and I am setting up a base again in France near my relatives. As you might have guessed, I am an anxious cat owner :) but I am a rather uncomplicated person otherwise. I am independent but I like a good chat and meeting people from different horizons and backgrounds. I love nature, animals, and keeping up with what’s going on in the world. I also like good music, films and series, comic books, art. And meaningful travelling, often as a petsitter myself. I quit smoking and meat (but you can do both if you have to).