My First Sit
While it’s always a special moment when FurPetVo members first connect with one another, for many, it’s their first sit experience that truly stands out. What begins as a way to explore new places while making unforgettable memories with pets often blossoms into lasting friendships—both human and furry—and unlocks a lifestyle many never thought possible.
Today, we’re meeting FurPetVo members Alex and Ryan, who began their FurPetVo journey back in 2019. They share how their very first pet sit helped them discover not just two beloved cats—but their dream home in their dream city.
“Can two cats and one pet sit change the course of your life?”
As an engineer, Alex isn’t one to be overdramatic—but this time, it’s the truth.
In early 2019, Alex and her husband Ryan signed up for FurPetVo. They’d just spent the afternoon listening to friends, Linda and Brad, tell captivating stories about the dream home—and the dream Border Collie—they’d cared for while pet sitting in Chile.
Alex and Ryan had spent the past year traveling across South America while launching their business, Duo Life. None of their rental apartments felt like home: flimsy mattresses, spotty Wi-Fi, and cramped spaces were the norm. The idea of moving into a warm, well-loved home—with quality sleep, reliable internet, and real character—was already a fantasy. The fact that they could do it *while* pet sitting? That was a possibility they’d never imagined.
That same night, they logged onto furpetvo.com. What they found was astonishing: dozens of pet sits appeared in Medellín, Colombia—the next city on their travel itinerary. Holding their breath, they applied to care for Isadora, a Norwegian Forest cat, and Effie, a Russian Blue. Their home? A sun-drenched, leafy apartment in El Poblado—the city’s most vibrant neighborhood.
They heard back immediately—the owners were interested! With their flight approaching fast, they scheduled an in-person meet-up. On interview day, Alex and Ryan strolled through El Poblado’s lively streets—lined with cafés, boutiques, restaurants, and lush jungle greenery. Valeri and Javier, the homeowners, lived on what felt like the best street in the neighborhood: towering guayacán trees arched overhead, their yellow blossoms forming a living tunnel above the sidewalk. They were already in love—and thankfully, they got the sit!
Life with Isadora and Effie
Of course, they fell in love with the cats at first glance.
Isadora was the elegant matriarch—calm, dignified, and perfectly at home in her “catio,” a sunlit patio enclosure visible from the window. She loved licking ankles and nuzzling their laptop screens while they worked.
Effie, meanwhile, brought joyful chaos—zooming through hallways, pouncing off furniture, and keeping impeccable time. She arrived at their bedroom door each morning, pawing insistently if they slept past breakfast. And at exactly 2 p.m., she’d appear, tail high, ready for her treats—no clock needed. (Explaining Daylight Saving Time to a cat, Alex admits, was a challenge.)
After their month-long sit with Isadora and Effie, Alex and Ryan kept going—pet sitting steadily over the next year and a half. They cared for cats in Colombia, dogs in Panama and Costa Rica, and more cats in Mexico.
From sit to home
Beyond the furry friendships, many FurPetVo members also form deep, lasting human connections—and Alex and Ryan are no exception. After falling head over heels for Medellín during their first sit, Alex reached out to Valeri with a hopeful question: “If you hear of any apartments for sale nearby, please let us know.”
Valeri replied instantly: there was one—for sale, in fact, in the building directly across the street.
Within two weeks, Alex and Ryan flew back to Medellín. They met with realtors, lawyers, and bankers; toured fourteen apartments; and made an offer on the one across from Valeri’s. It was accepted—and two weeks later, they officially bought their dream home.
“Without our first pet sit through FurPetVo, none of this would have been possible,” Alex reflects. “Months later, it still feels surreal—that we found our dream home, on our dream street, in our dream city… all because two sweet cats needed loving care back in early 2019.”
