Miles from anywhere, Bruton a tiny, yet vibrant village,…

…with shops, houses and chapels crowded close together and surrounded by tracts of rolling hills, and this gives this delightful place  a very special character.

Arts and crafts flourish  in terraced streets of historic houses, and it’s one of Somerset’s local centres of creativity and a great place to explore with a dog in tow.

The name “Bruton” refers to the River Brue, which is a picturesque river that winds through a deceptively deep valley in the heart of the town.

Im staying in a lovely light-filled cottage in one of the many alleys which lead behind the centuries old character houses.

Meet “Flash” my charge for this assignment ,
a delightfully energetic Corgi Cross .

Here’s what the owner said :

Anthony is not a 5 star house sitter .. he is a 10 star house sitter.

Anthony is the fifth house sitter that has taken care of my dog and my home in the last 18 months.

Each and every experience has been positive and rewarding and each and every house sitter has been five out of five, but based on this, Anthony is an easy 10.

From the moment we were first in touch, his clarity and articulate communication made him stand out and this excellence continued in every area. Utterly charming,

Anthony is incredibly kind and thoughtful and it became instantly clear that his number one priority and commitment was to make sure that my dog Flash was happy, comfortable, entertained, exercised, relaxed and settled.

Anthony was in touch throughout my absence, sending incredible photos and keeping me updated on Flash. I have never felt more confident that my dog was in safe hands - and probably having an even nicer time than when at home with me!

This was pretty much confirmed when, on returning, we went for a lovely walk together. Anthony went ahead to take some photographs and Flash, left behind with me for five minutes, became quite agitated and whinged until he reappeared! They had only known each other for the weekend!

Not only was Flash a very happy dog on my return, the house was immaculate. Sheets were changed, his bed was re-made and the laundry was done. Even the broken handle on my kitchen drawer had been fixed. Anthony also had bought food incase I was hungry and left flowers and a card on the kitchen table.

I can't really rate Anthony any higher or recommend him any more!

If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity of Anthony to take care of your home and your pets, jump at the chance.... He's the best.

He takes on the responsibility and duty of care with an enthusiasm and grace. He listens to every detail of every instruction - and Flash and I can be quite high maintenance 😉

Thank you Anthony - we loved meeting you and having you to stay and really hope you will come and stay as a guest and friend in Scotland soon x x x

Caroline

Bruton - South Somerset - United Kingdom

Favourite Photos :

[envira-gallery id=”1532″]

See more photos and download images from this assignment, go to the photo gallery here.

Watch the Video

The Location

This beautiful home and estate is set amongst the most stunning 100 botanical garden and farming land, in Shropshire, United Kingdom.

Shropshire is a spectacular county of rolling hills and rich farmland set in the West Midlands of England, bordering Powys and Wrexham in Wales to the west and north-west, Cheshire to the north, Staffordshire to the east, Worcestershire to the south-east and Herefordshire to the south.

Here’s what the owners had to say about their experience:

When I was looking for a house sitter I read one of Anthony's reviews and it said that if you had an opportunity to have Anthony house sit for you - do not hesitate!

I cannot reiterate that more strongly - he was fantastic!

Although I have had house sitters in the past , this was my first experience of trusted house sitters and it was very successful.

The dogs were so happy with him and he took them for long walks.

One of them had broken her paw and her leg was in plaster and he took her to the vet and gave me updates on her progress.

He brushed them and gave them a bath and when I arrived back they sat at his feet and clearly adored him.

He also looked after my two horses and made sure they had everything they needed.

During his stay the ceiling in one of the rooms was leaking and he contacted the plumber and made sure that the leaks were mended before we came back.

There was trouble with the internet and he made sure this was fixed. He kept us informed at all times but I always felt he was in the control of the situation and there was no need for me to worry.

When we returned , we came back to an immaculate house. He had mowed the lawn, washed the car he had used, in and out, watered the plants and house was filled with flowers.He also made a wonderful video of the garden.

We were lucky enough to have him stay on for a couple of days which gave us an opportunity to get to know him better.

I cannot recommend Anthony highly enough and I would love to have him back in the future.

Harry and Suzanne

Shropshire - United Kingdom

Some of my favourite photos:

I was living in Rural Hertfordshire, 6 miles from Hertford and 4 miles from Ware and a short drive to historical Cambridge. The focus of attention was a handsome, incredibly well natured, twelve year old  Fox Terrier (come soccer player) , named ” Charlie”.  Add to this a stunning beautiful country estate with acres of beautifully manincured botanical  garden amongst the woods.  Throw in  two attention seeking cats “Purdie” and “Meowsa” along with five Guinea fowl to look after and you have a wonderful and very peaceful house sitting experience.

The owners were away relaxing in a sunny Greek Island for a well deserves break, however, I am convinced that my assignment may have been more tranquil and relaxing than their holiday.

Simply fabulous!!!

Watch the Video….

View more videos from Anthony’s assignments HERE

Here’s what the owners had to say ….

Our first ever Trusted House Sitter, and what a lovely experience.

From the first time Anthony contacted us to offer a sit, I felt comfortable with him.

As soon as I read his reviews I knew he was like gold dust, so confirmed immediately.

His communication with us was first class from start to finish, and he is a very kind and unassuming man.

We returned to find our animals happy in his company and the house was cleaner than we left it.

I would highly recommend Anthony as a sitter, with the bonus of him being a professional photographer who takes wonderful photos of your animals. We plan to frame some of the photos he took of our dog Charlie playing football!

He is a very conscientious and is a professional sitter.

Many thanks to you Anthony, and I hope we meet up with you again one day, either in Australia or UK.

Received | May 20, 2017

Kathryn and Phil

Ware - Hertfordshire UK

Some favourite photos…

Charlie takes his soccer very seriously 🙂

A Photographer’s Paradise

l am  discovering a sparkling natural wonderland: the Hohe Tauern National Park together with “MARTA: the most affectionate, but energetic young Viszler who simply loves going for long walks along some of the many mountain ski trails.

Marta  also loves company and her second favourite thing to do is snuggling up for a cuddle and likes lots of affection.

Here’s what the Owners Had to Say….

You can discover more about Trusted House Sitters HERE

This house sit was Anthony's second with us, and to say we were delighted when he responded to our request is an understatement.

Anthony is the ideal sitter; friendly, organised, reliable, a dog lover, and very enthusiastic about the win-win situation for home and pet owners and sitters alike.

Our dog loves him and he gives her fantastic care and attention and treats our home and car with respect, what more do you want?

He also cut the grass, washed the car, prepared lunch for our return and had flowers on the table.

He is a star. If he responds to your request for a sitter, accept him without delay!

Jill and Guy

Mallnitz - Austria

Some favourite photos…

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The City of Baroque Streetscapes and Imperial palaces.

Vienna sets the stage for Vienna’s artistic and musical masterpieces alongside its coffee-house culture and vibrant epicurean scenes and the place for one of my favourite House Sits….

Watch the Video…

View more videos from Anthony’s assignments HERE

Favourite Photos…

Farnham is one of the prettiest villages in Dorset, United Kingdom with a fabulous pub, The Museum, and numerous things to see and do in the area.

View more videos from Anthony’s assignments HERE

For this assignment I am living in a beautiful character thatched 400 year old farmhouse complete with a wonderful menagerie.

This includes two beautiful cats, a fabulously adorable Greyhound “Morticia” who is affectionatly referred to as “Tisha”…

Now there’s also 10 Hens,  Kenny the Cockeral and wait for it…. to complete the enterage we have a Tortoise and even a pet Python snake.  Yes, you read correctly… a Python who’s name is “Trinket”.

All in all, one very happy family and little wonder as this is one very beautiful farmhouse in the most picturesque locations.

The only thing more picturesque than the farmhouse is it’s beautiful country garden and the magnificent country walks available on your doorstep.  Yes, miles of spectacularly colourful undulating countryside…. a photographers paradise!!

What the Owner Had to Say ….

Anthony was completely fabulous. Totally unfazed by the menagerie or our idiosyncratic 400 year old house.

All my animals adored him from the minute he walked through the door, including a normally very shy cat.

He took his role really seriously, was totally diligent, left the house immaculate with food in the fridge and flowers to come home too, and kept in touch while we were away.

What more could you ask for?

Would have him back like a shot,

thanks Anthony.

Frankie

Blandford Forum

Edinburgh is a cohesive reflection of Scotland’s breathtaking rural landscape, flaunting cultural vibrancy, historic charm, and scenic wonder. To spend a week or two house sitting here has been another fabulous experience.

Watch the Video…

View more videos from Anthony’s assignments HERE

My new home for ten days here is a beautiful Edwardian semi detached house with a fantastic garden in Blacket (Newington), in South East Edinburgh.  It is very near Arthur’s seat, Holyrood and still within walking distance of the famed castle.  Close by is also the Royal Commonwealth Pool and the University of Edinburgh.

The owners love animals, nature, and
traveling and this is obvious by their request   for me to hose sit and look after Tara and Leo, two extremely affectionate cats that the owners adopted from a rescue centre at the beginning of August 2016.

Here’s what the owners said…

Professional Housesitter. We felt lucky of having him in charge of Tara and Leo, our cats.

Martin and Patricia

Edinburgh - United Kingdom

20 October – 5th November 2016

Clontarf is in the Moreton Bay region, south-west of the Redcliffe peninsula and approximately 29 kilometres (18 miles) north-northeast of Brisbane, the Queensland capital.

My assignment for Dianne and Lloyd meant the pleasure of looking after two beautifully boisterous but very loving dogs, Sampson, a Labrador retriever – aged 13 and Sherlock, the funniest Labradoodle – aged 10

They both get very excited about their walks and would often pull on the lead… however they both took to a little training really well during my time with them and were very well behaved and mostly obedient.

22 Jul – 30 Jul 2016

My wonderful hosts, Yuka and Tetsu are off to visit family in Japan and I have the pleasure of looking after KURI.

KURI is a 12 year-old 9.5kg Shiba mix female who’s very gentle, cuddly, and loves people. She’s not young but very curious and always interested in sniffing!
So there really is no such thing as a quick walk as she takes her time making sure she doesn’t miss any single scent.

When I am out walking with her, she gets a lot of attention since Shiba is not a common breed in London and everyone compliments how cute, young, and lovable she is.

My home with Kuri over the next few days is a  4 level terrace house, right next to Hampstead Heath where it (literally) takes only a minute from the front door to enter the peace & great wilderness of Hampstead Heath.   Yet I am only 30min away from central London where all the excitements take place.

It’s only 10-15 min walk to underground tube station, over ground train station, as well as bus stops. Location cannot be any better than this so they location is great and the setting is beautiful.   It’s so nice to wake up every morning to the sounds of birds singing!

What the hosts have said…

Anthony looked after our dog (princess Kuri) and the house for a week and all I can say is that we wish he could have stayed longer!
He took care of Kuri with huge love which we instantly identified in Kuri's pictures he sent us everyday, along with messages updating how she's doing.
The house was in an immaculate condition, fridge was refilled (which was totally unnecessary), plus we were even surprised by flowers and basket of fruits upon return.
We never felt more comfortable traveling without Kuri and cannot appreciate more. In the course of meeting/communicating and got to know Anthony he is now a good friend of ours and we would LOVE to have him back whenever he's back in London... as a guest if not as a sitter.
If you receive his offer there's no need to think! He's a jewel!!

Yuka -

London, United Kingdom

9th May to 19th May 2016

The Bois de Vincennes is the Paris’s second largest garden.

It is the “WOODS”  and located in the east of Paris, on the edge of the 12th arrondissement and is the absolute best place to be walking “SHYA” my beautiful Pyrenees mountain dog for the next 10 days.

SHYA – Pyrenees Mountain Dog

There are many places in the Bois de Vincennes which enables visitors to find out more about the wood and get a closer look at its wildlife; the École du Breuil and its arboretum, the Jardin d’agronomie tropicale, the Ferme de Paris, the Maison Paris Nature, ornithological reserves, etc.

The Chateau de Vincennes, is a magnificent example of medieval architecture, and remains the wood’s most notable monument.

There are plenty of walks, paths and lakes to wander around and relax for hours,

On one of the lakes, you can go for a boat ride andThe Bois de Vincennes is a fabulous place to explore with a dog and is a favourite haunt for the French equestrian society.

Chateau de Vincennes