A day in the life of a FurPetVo house sitter

In this article, we step into the shoes of a real FurPetVo house sitter — not just to glimpse the joy of cuddling cats and walking dogs, but to understand the thoughtful care, routine, and responsibility behind every sit. For many pet lovers, the idea of travelling the world while caring for a loving companion sounds like a dream — and with FurPetVo, it’s very much a reality.

A smiling woman named Shira sitting on porch steps with a golden-brown dog named Cody eagerly waiting beside her

Meet Shira: Freelance writer and FurPetVo sitter

My name is Shira Smillie — also known online as @blackgirlworldtraveller — and I joined FurPetVo in November 2021. I’m a freelance travel writer and content creator, and I fund my adventures through part-time remote work with a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Right now, I’m house sitting in Iowa City, caring for a sweet, energetic pup named Cody.

Morning routine: Ball, walk, breakfast

My day begins around 6:00 a.m. Before I’ve even brushed my teeth, Cody is waiting patiently on the front steps — tail wagging, ball in mouth, ready to go. The moment I head downstairs, he darts toward the back door. That burst of pure, uncomplicated joy is my favorite part of the morning.

We head outside for a quick 10-minute game of fetch. Cody loves catching balls mid-air — and rarely misses. Afterward, I refill his water bowl and serve two scoops of kibble. He waits patiently, tail thumping softly, until his bowl is full.

Then comes Cody’s morning walk — a peaceful 15-minute loop along the quiet trail across the street. What makes Cody special? He doesn’t pull or lead. He follows closely beside me — calm, attentive, and deeply trusting. It’s a rare and lovely trait that makes every walk feel like a shared moment of quiet connection.

Shira throwing a tennis ball while Cody leaps mid-air to catch it in a sunlit backyard

Work time — with a furry coworker

Once back home, Cody settles into the living room while I set up my laptop. Within minutes, he’s curled against my legs, gazing up with those irresistible puppy-dog eyes. I try to stay focused during virtual meetings — but who can resist a belly rub? Especially when he rolls over so eagerly, paws in the air.

At around 11:30 a.m., Cody rings his “I need playtime” bell — a clever little system his humans installed. Out we go again, and this time, I grab two tennis balls from his rotating basket. I toss one left, one right — and watch him sprint back and forth with joyful determination. Fetch isn’t just exercise for Cody; it’s pure, unfiltered happiness.

Cody carrying two tennis balls in his mouth, looking proudly at Shira in the backyard

Afternoon rhythm: Lunch, nap, and longer walks

After 20 minutes of play, it’s lunchtime — and Cody’s cue to settle in for a short nap while I recharge. One of the best parts of FurPetVo house sitting is the flexibility it offers: I can rest, refuel, and return to work refreshed — all while keeping Cody’s world steady and familiar.

Late afternoon brings Cody’s longest walk of the day — 30 to 45 minutes around the neighborhood. This mirrors his usual routine with his pet parents, and consistency matters most. We pass other dogs and friendly neighbors, and Cody greets everyone with gentle enthusiasm — never rushing, always polite.

Back home, he’s ready for dinner — served on time, just as his family would do.

Cody sitting calmly beside his food bowl as Shira places down his evening meal

Evening wind-down: Yoga, dinner, and belly rubs

After feeding Cody, I change into yoga clothes and head to Hot House Yoga — a welcoming studio near the University of Iowa campus. An hour of hot yoga leaves me both energized and grounded. Back home, I shower, prepare a simple dinner (usually salmon, roasted vegetables, and water), and eat while Cody waits patiently in the living room — well-trained and utterly endearing.

By 9 p.m., we’re both winding down. My favorite part of the day? Belly rubs. Cody flops onto his side, eyes half-closed, tail thumping slowly as I scratch behind his ears and stroke his soft belly. We linger in that quiet, warm closeness until I’m ready for bed — and he’s already dreaming of tomorrow’s first ball throw.

Every morning, I’ll find him waiting on the fourth or fifth step — tail wagging, ball at the ready — eager to begin again.

That’s the heart of FurPetVo house sitting: keeping pets happy, healthy, and rooted in routine while their families are away. For us sitters, it’s more than a service — it’s a chance to live like a local, embrace new rhythms, and share life’s simplest joys with animals who give so much love in return. Even if they *do* distract us from our laptop screens — with those impossibly soft eyes and perfectly timed nudges.