Thank you for visiting comfortablecreatures.com! I am delighted that you are considering my services for your pet, home and plant care needs in Lexington.

If you have any difficulty finding the information you need, please feel free to contact me either by phone or email:

Barrie Lynn
859.523.3164
barrie@comfortablecreatures.com

As the voice mail message states, please do leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can! My philosophy is very simple: I provide the best possible care for your pets, plants and home in your absence.

It is important to me that the pets in my care are as happy, healthy and stress-free as at all possible.

I am a pet sitter because I love Creatures.

It is also important to me that my clients feel confident and relaxed in the knowledge that their pets, homes and plants will be well cared for while they are away and that the process of hiring a pet sitter is as stress-free as I can make it. People are Creatures too!

People are busy Creatures who don't always have quite as much time to spend with their dogs as their dogs might believe that they need.

I currently have two openings for daily exercise/socialization clients. I am always happy to work in conjunction with your trainer in creating an exercise, socialization and/or house-breaking program for your dog or new puppy.

Although dogs perhaps offer the most challenge to pet sitters in requiring the most care and attention, I must admit to a personal preference for canines above all other pets. I worked at Stonnie Dennis' Cabin Creek Kennel, which provides both boarding and training, for several years. Because of Stonnie's unique approach to boarding, I have ample experience in monitoring dog play sessions as well as having received a solid foundation in operant conditioning techniques while working for him.

I would be the first person to say that if you have a healthy, well-socialized, friendly Golden Retriever the best possible pet care solution for your trips is boarding your dog with Stonnie. Your dog will have a fantastic time and perhaps you will need need my services for walks or play time.

Some dogs, however, do not thrive in a kennel situation - even one as ideal as Cabin Creek Kennel. Older dogs, very small dogs, especially nervous dogs or dogs with...we'll use the polite term of "issues" here...are often stressed and unhappy being boarded at a kennel. For those dogs, pet sitting is an ideal solution!

I personally have a small container water garden outfitted through the helpful folks at B.D.R. Ponds and complete with two Red and White Oranda (Onefish & Twofish*.)

I love ponds and water gardens and understand that they require quite a bit of care if not Comfort.

*Onefish & Twofish inspired the Creature Comforts logo. Their cartoon representation was dubbed "Wilson" by a friend of mine.

You've made boarding reservations at Cabin Creek Kennel for your Labrador Retriever and your next door neighbor doesn't mind picking up your mail and newspapers while you are in Tahiti for two weeks this July but who would be willing to spend an hour watering all the plants you spent hundreds of dollars on when you had your yard landscaped in the spring?

A pet sitter of course! Because plants are Creatures too!

I will, of course, collect and neatly stack all the mail and newspapers you receive while you are away so that when you return you can read all the obits and city council scandals you missed while you were gone.

Having someone collect your mail and newspapers helps make your home appear to be occupied. I can also generally arrange to be available for deliveries, etc.

Not only does having a pet sitter coming and going put your home at less risk for robbery, it also means that someone is going to notice and be available to deal with things like frozen pipes, power outages, storm damage, etc.

Cats are a pet sitter's perfect client.

Cats are more entertaining and affectionate than, say, a fish but much less trouble than a dog.

Very few boarding kennels have anything but the most meagre accomodations for felines and it is often a bother to have to repeatedly ask friends and family members to care for your cat when you go out of town.

I think pet sitting was created just for cats.

If a fish is the movement of water embodied, given shape, then a cat is a diagram and pattern of subtle air.
-Doris Lessing

Fish, lizards, spiders, snakes...frogs, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs...rabbits, chinchillas, birds and...whatever else you can think of!

If it falls in the Creature category it more than likely requires care in your absence.

I admit to a preference for furry, feathered or aquatic pets but I have nursed both an Iguana and a Chameleon back from illnesses.

My rule of thumb is that so long as your pet can be cared for without my risking serious injury, it qualifies as a Creature in need of Comfort (& care) while you are away.

One of my most interesting and favorite clients was a parrot named Elvis!

Giving your dog a healthy, active way to expend his energy goes a long way toward both relieving any stress or anxiety caused by your absence and making him an even more ideal house pet when you are home.

What does your dog love to do? Go for long strolls through the neighborhood checking out all the sights and smells? Have a playdate with your neighbor's dog? Play ball in the park? One of my dogs, Fancy, loves to play in the hose while I water my plants. Britney, my Jack Russell Terrier loves all of the above but will play tug for hours on end.

I will make certain that your dog gets quality exercise every day while you are out of town. Daily, semi-daily and weekly exercise appointments are also an option.

I am available as a personal dog-walker, offering a discount for group walks with neighborhood dogs. I will coordinate and supervise puppy play dates and I am always happy to spend an hour in the park playing ball.

Proper exercise really can make all the difference between a good dog and a destructive dog!

"A tired dog is a good dog!"
-Stonnie Dennis

Because of the personalized nature of pet sitting versus a boarding kennel, your pets will be able to eat exactly what you would feed them if you were home on about the same schedule you would provide, including the normal treats they have come to expect.

People have pets for many reasons but primarily because they provide us with companionship.

Your pets are likely accustomed to receiving a certain amount of attention during the day. As much as possible, I try to give your pets the attention they undoubtedly feel is their due, interacting with them as you would.

Most visits last from 30 to 60 minutes depending on what needs to be done. I always set aside some of that time to really focus on each pet, petting and playing with them and generally making sure that they are happy and healthy.

I am delighted to discuss activities we can devise to keep your pets content and occupied between visits. There are interactive toys on the market for practically every type of pet.

There are Kongs® for dogs, cats, parrots and ferrets.

OurPets® manufactures food puzzles like the Buster Cube®, Molecule Ball® and Play-N-Treat® for both dogs and cats.

Pets will, of course, be supplied with fresh water at all times, but I will also water both indoor and outdoor plants in your absence.
Because plants are creatures too!

One of the benefits of having a pet sitter is that you don't have to take your pets to a boarding kennel and then also ask a neighbor or friend to deal with your mail and newspapers while you are gone.

I can also generally arrange to be available for deliveries.

My goal is to keep your pets, plants and home as happy, healthy and well-maintained as you would.

In the interest of maintaining their cutting edge image, Fancy & Britney are joining The Blogging Revolution

In the meantime, they have both uploaded their resumes:
Fancy  |  Britney

This is Creature Comforts' Home Turf. I do provide service outside of this area, especially neighborhood walks. Because of the high price of gas, high demand for pet sitting services and reciprocal arrangements with other pet sitters I do prefer to stick to my Home Turf and offer a discount to the clients living within that area.

If you do not live within my Home Turf please feel free to contact me either for information about joining or creating a neighborhood walk or playdate or for a referral to another pet sitting service.

If you are also a pet sitter in the Lexington area, please contact me to be added to my referral list.