Pet Sitter Spotlight: Maureen McCarthy of Love and Kisses Pet Sitting

Day 14 of our 15-part series spotlighting the Professional Pet Sitting Industry.

It’s certainly never easy having to say goodbye to a furry client when the end is near.

It’s also never easy when you have been a part of the pooch’s life for over two years.

No matter where our day-to-day jobs, careers, or lives take us, it’s simply about enjoy what we have, and enjoying those around us.

For you never know when it will suddenly be taken away.

Today’s professional pet sitter spotlight is on Maureen McCarthy of Love and Kisses Pet Sitting in Indian Trail, NC.

This is her story of the time she shared with her special friend, Jasper.

A Tribute to our Friend Jasper

Reprinted here with permission.

I write this blog today with a very heavy heart.

I received a call yesterday about one of our clients dogs. His name was Jasper and we had been pet sitting for him for a little over 2 1/2 years.

Jasper was great dane with a heart of gold and always getting into things. He was a fun loving big goofball. He went in to have surgery for a blockage and did not make it through the surgery.

What a heartbreak for his family. We all will never forget our friend Jasper.

When I first met Jasper, I went to my clients home to do a meet and greet with Jasper and his parents. They told me they had a great dane puppy and needed a daily pet sitter to come and let him out and play with him midday. Get some of his puppy energy out.

When I walked in the home, this big black puppy, with huge paws came running over to me and I must admit that I thought he was going to be a lot smaller. He was huge for puppy. But then again, he was great dane. I must admit it was love at first sight.

Jasper seemed to always get into something. He was very curious dog.

I have had my sitters call me and say “you are not going to believe what Jasper got into today” One afternoon my pet sitter’s called me and told me that Jasper got into a container of Protein powder.

She was not sure how much he ate and there was a lot poured all over the floor. I told her to text the owner and let them know right away. I did not think that he enjoyed dry powder and my sitter said most was on the floor and on Jasper however, the owner needed to know what he had been into that afternoon.

Jasper would also take down the container of dog treats and help himself to his share of treats during the day. I am sure he thought nobody would find out. That was not such a bad thing.

He was a good boy with big heart filled with lots of love and playfulness and this blog is dedicated to our friend Jasper and how much myself and my sitters will miss him.

We will still get to go over to the house and care for his adopted sister Macey. She is an older beauty and we love seeing her too!! I am sure it will be hard to not have Jasper there but we will focus our attention to Macey and give her lots of Love and Kisses as usual.

That is the name of my pet sitting business and that is just what myself and my pet sitters do, we give tons of Love and Kisses to all our clients dogs and cats. May Jasper rest in peace.

The poem below is called the Rainbow Bridge and I want to post it for his owners Carolyn and Jeff…May you both find comfort in it.

Rainbow Bridge Poem

“There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.”

Over to You

Read More: See our full spotlight on the 15 Professional Pet Sitters Making A Difference in their Communities.

It’s never easy saying goodbye. How have you helped a pet parent get through this very difficult time?