About
We are Ingrid and Colin and have been caring for people's homes and pets for several years and then discovered Bark.
We decided to register to extend our opportunities of house sitting and also share time with the variety of pets that come our way.
It has always been a pleasure, we have stacked up fond memories and bonded with many wonderful pets.
We currently have repeat bookings into 2024 and happy to add a few more.
We responsibly take great care of the homes we sit for and always keep in touch with owners to update especially if there is a need to report and deal with any issues that may arise.
Please see below our TESTIMONIALS copied from a previous web page which I include here:
Rosemary - Felbridge, United Kingdom 30 Dec 2021 - 9 Jan 2022 and pre-booked going forward.
Colin and Ingrid are a lovely couple who communicated well prior to arriving on 30th December.
They are obviously great animal lovers, and looked after our 5 rescue dogs, 2 elderly cats, 4 goats and 4 chickens extremely well. We had regular updates and a few photos throughout their stay.
Our 2 little dogs had lots of muddy walks and don't appear to have missed us at all.
The house was extremely clean on our return and the oven was cleaner than it's ever been! Would highly recommend Ingrid and Colin and look forward to them house sitting for us again.
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Jan 10, 2022 Your response
Thanks Rosemary, you were great hosts, generous and hospitable, welcoming, clear and easy to communicate with, good instructions about the animals and a stunning, comfortable home in the countryside.
It really was a pleasure to care for your dogs who were all so loving and fortunate to be your chosen rescue dogs. In fact, all the animals were extremely contented which, of course, is a reflection on you.
We would love to repeat this sit as it was a privilege to be in such a friendly environment and to befriend such happy dogs. Sent Jan 10, 2022
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Caroline - Headley, United Kingdom 12 - 29 Dec 2021
Ingrid and Colin were fantastic. They looked after our two dogs and four chickens extremely well and we came home to happy, healthy chickens and two very content, relaxed and well-groomed dogs. Our cocker spaniel had an infection while we were away and Ingrid and Colin dealt with this swiftly and with great care - taking our precious boy straight to the vet, reporting back to us on the problem and then ensuring he had his medication. They took him back to the vet to be checked again and administered further medication. We received regular updates and photos of the dogs while we were away which we all loved, And the house was exactly as we left it with their bedding washed and drying. All in all, we were delighted with everything and would definitely welcome Ingrid and Colin back into our home again.
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Jan 5, 2022
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Emma - Newbury, United Kingdom 7 - 15 Sep 2021
I cannot speak more highly of Ingrid and Colin in their role looking after my beloved dog.
He has rarely been left with anyone other than family so this was a new experience. He loved it and was so well looked after in terms of time spent with him and engaging with him. I am feeling inadequate in comparison. Ingrid kept in touch with lovely photos and videos of him to reassure me he was fine. Not only that, I came home to a lovely clean and tidy house and the garden all in shape.
They are the perfect pet sitters in every way.
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Sep 17, 2021 Your response
Dear Emma
Such a lovely review, thank you so much. Losi, your home and garden are the perfect place to engage in connecting with a new pet, potter contentedly in the garden keeping your hard work looking fresh and if only we had not had some rain, I would have weeded a bit more too, I’m afraid I cannot resist. Once a gardener... I can honestly say we were most comfortable in every way and you are a really lovely person to sit for always ensuring we had everything we needed. Sent Sep 17, 2021
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Valerie - Ringwood, United Kingdom 21 Aug - 4 Sep 2021
Ingrid and Colin were the perfect house-sitters.
Ingrid kept in touch while we were away so we knew our cat was fine.
A cottage pie was prepared for us to cook on our return (delicious).
The home was clean and tidy and bed linen drying on the line.
The garden was more weed-free than ever before and the hanging baskets were at their best.
We would not hesitate to invite Ingrid and Colin to sit for us again. They deserve more than 5 stars.
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Sep 6, 2021 Your response
My goodness Val, thanks so much for your wonderful review. We always immerse ourselves in our new environment and find caring for pets so rewarding plus your garden, well, just couldn't stay out of it and since we no longer have a large garden, it was the perfect place for me to potter. The new forest is heaven to experience and anyone who hasn't been will be rewarded with its beauty. You are both such generous hosts, your quiche absolutely delicious and how fortunate for us to benefit from your soft fruits perfectly in season for our visit. Your kitchen is very well equipped too although my chocolate brownies were so awful, I couldn't leave you any, sorry. All the best, Ingrid and Colin
Sent Sept 6, 2021
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Madeleine - Coulouvray-Boisbenåtre, France 1 - 31 Jul 2021
Ingrid and Colin were absolutely super I couldn't have wished for more, I didn't worry about the animals once, they were both so caring and they had a handful to look after, 4 horses, 2 cats and 2 dogs.
Well done to them both and thank you so very much for everything, it was great to come home to a spotlessly clean house.
Best wishes, Madeleine
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Aug 4, 2021 Your response
Thanks Madeleine
We loved being with your family of horses, dogs and cats, vegetable plot and barn and life in rural France. Every house sit is different and enriches our lives we enjoyed every minute of it and thanks too, for your salad dressing recipe, magic! Sent I Aug 4, 2021
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Mel - Ares, France 28 Jun - 5 Jul 2021
We couldn't have been happier with Ingrid and Colin as pet sitters and house sitters! We came home late from our trip to a very happy, relaxed cat and a completely spotless house (even mopped l). Ingrid sent me fun daily updates of Miche playing, being silly, and clearly comfortable with her new friends. The garden was so well taken care of, everything in the house was in its place, and they were 100% self-sufficient. I highly recommend Ingrid and Colin -- you will immediately be put at ease by their attention to detail and trustworthy nature. We will certainly be reaching out to them for our next trip with fingers crossed!
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Jul 6, 2021 Your response
Thanks Mel
We found your organisation, notes, chilled home and of course Miche, the most enjoyable experience and if we can, we would love to come back. Our pleasure
Sent Jul 6, 2021
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Gay - Plouguernével, France 21 - 28 Jun 2021
It was a delight to meet Ingrid and Colin. They are clearly genuine animal lovers, making immediate easy contact with the animals. Our two cats glowed with the attention they'd received and were calm and content when we got back. The house was beautifully clean and tidy and the plants watered as requested. Ingrid kept up clear and helpful communication with us during their stay. There are even a couple of things in the house that are functioning better than before we went, thanks to house-sitter TLC! We are very grateful to them for their care of cats and property.
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received I Jul 3, 2021 Your response
Hi Gay and John
Your cottage at this time of year is chocolate box beautiful. And although the weather wasn't brilliant, we enjoyed being cosy with a log fire and cats on lap. It gave us an opportunity to follow the French Open without guilt as not at our home with jobs beckoning!
Thanks too for our welcome supper which was appreciated and lovely comfy beds and beautiful canal walks.
All the best, Ingrid and Colin Sent I Jul 6, 2021
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Margaret - Quillan, France 21 May - 18 Jun 2021
I was very worried as to whether I was doing the right thing as my late husband refused to consider the possibility, he didn’t want strangers in the house and didn’t trust they would look after the animals like we do. But, he would have been very pleased with Colin and Ingrid, I came home after 4 weeks away to find very happy animals, garden was kept neat and tidy, and the house was spotlessly clean. My bed had lovely clean linen on it and there was a lovely meal made with a drink of wine!!
Unfortunately for Ingrid and Colin, their car broke down, so, I invited them to stay with me a bit longer. We had pleasant chats over meals prepared by them and they still took Filou my dog out for walks. It enabled me, the animals to adjust to the change-over. I would certainly recommend Ingrid and Colin for sitting and I hope they will sit for me again in the future
***** Organised
***** Reliable
***** Self-sufficient
***** Tidy
***** Pet care
Received Jun 30, 2021 Your response
Thank you, Margaret for your wonderful review. For us, experiencing new pets and a change of location is 100% special. Your home and open generosity was greatly appreciated and we would definitely enjoy a return visit to see you, and Filou who is so lovable.
Sent Jun 30, 2021
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