I'm (also) a pet-sitter.

There are many things one can do in life. 

I teach languages; I have worked in offices; I've worked in shops; heck, I've even worked as a diamond grader! These are all great ways to earn a living. But I also have a "side gig" which brings me great joy.

I'm a pet sitter. 

It started as a favour. Someone with whom I'd worked together briefly asked me whether I'd be interested in looking after her friend's cat. It used to be her and her wife who did it, but they'd since had a child and could not help out. So I agreed. I got to spend a couple of weeks in a beautiful flat in old Amsterdam and look after a sweet older tabby boy, Primo (how very on the nose, that name). 

Then, there was another favour, for another coworker's (from a different workplace) friend and her doggy. Then, it was my landlady's fish. Then, it was a colleague and their two cats. And then, it changed: Primo's mama was asked for a recommendation by her hairdresser, whose client had asked her. And, on hearing them talk about it, yet another client requested my number. The circle expanded.

I was happy to lend a hand, and I got to spend time with lovely animals without the responsibilities of life-long pet ownership. Thus, when one of these people asked me whether I was homeless, I was surprised, as you'd imagine. It turned out, they found it surprising that I didn't charge for my services. I shared the comment with an acquaintance, who suggested I join a pet-sitter app.

I had never even considered there being such a thing as a pet-sitting app, simple as it is. But I joined one, and I haven't really been spending much time home since. The circle kept growing. It's quite a joke among my family and friends (as well as some students), but that's reality. It doesn't really pay much, the app takes a cut as well, but hey, it's nice to be with animals and to get enough to cover (most of) my transport expenses most months.

Discussing this with a friend, I explained how surprised I was that the skills I'd gained by simply growing up in a house with pets (cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, fish, even a hedgehog and silk worms!) could provide me with some additional income. To me, it was just a way to spend time with an animal; the different locations and being on my own were simply an added bonus.

I love animals. 

Clearly, doing what you love, pays.


What do you love which gives you an income?



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