Frankston VIC

Hello!

Thank you for your time.

My Mum and I are looking for someone to look after her house, and our beautiful animals while we have Christmas with my sister (her daughter), and see her for the first time since she moved to New York in January of this year!

THE HOUSE:
You will have a 2 story townhouse, nestled in the back of a 15 home culdesac, backing onto a golf course with beautiful wildlife and nature to call home for 3 weeks! This is a relatively new (approx. 2 years) home. It contains a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances (inc. dishwasher), dining area, 2 bedrooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms, 2 living areas, 1 car garage with laundry at the back (with both washer and dryer) and a beautiful open backyard (with Weber BBQ).
It is a 10 minute drive to Oliver's Hill look-out/ Nepean Highway, and the beautiful beaches that follow this road. Close to many supermarkets and local shopping centres, you will really have everything you need close!
Garden maintenance just includes weekly watering of indoor plants please! The general waste bin (yellow lid) goes out every Thursday night for pick up Friday, please put a bag in these once they're emptied- will be provided! The recycling bin goes out every second Tuesday night for pick up Wednesday. The area to leave the bins is just across from the garage and is on a gravel path (you will see).
There is room for only one car in the garage, but a second can park in the driveway. Any further cars will need to be parked in visitor car parks (approx. 4 at the top and 2 down the bottom of the culdesac). Body corporate does state that cars not be here for more than 2 nights at a time though.

THE DOG:
We have a 13 year old Toy Poodle named Toby! He is the sweetest boy. He is completely blind, but is so resilient and copes very well. He can be very timid at times, but having company- someone to sit on the couch/ relax with makes him happiest!
Though he is our old man, he still loves to go for a walk and will go and go- further and faster than you'll believe! He does need to be walked daily- trust me he will let you know (some very cute pacing and grumbling). When walking past other dogs you will just need to pull him in close- he can't see them but just runs to the smell. On his lead he isn't great with other dogs and can bark and get very territorial- we try not to let him get up and close with other dogs while on his lead.
He does have some separation anxiety- daily prozac (hidden in his dinner) and distraction treats when leaving the house work very well to manage this! He can be shy at first, but once you gain his love you'll never want to leave his side! I know I'm biased, but he is the cutest, the sweetest and he has the most wonderful personality!
He rarely barks- only when someone knocks at the door or is frightened!
He eats at around 6 everyday and loves a treat in between! He did have pancreatitis as a puppy so can only have specific treats and can't share human food, but we have found a variety that he loves and will supply plenty!
If leaving the house without Toby, please leave the backyard door open. When leaving at night please leave the stair lights, the downstairs and outdoor lights on. You can take him to eat out with you- but be warned, he will want to sit on your lap the whole time, so it can be difficult. He is completely fine in the car also. If you have a passenger he will sit on their lap, if it's just the driver, he has a seat her will sleep on in the passenger seat.

THE CATS:
My Mum has 2 cats, Max (male) and Billie (female), they're 3 years old. Max is a tuxedo with a beautiful temperament. Billie is an all black oriental with a little more sass, but also very sweet. They are both very similar in that they may take a little while to warm up to you, and once they do, though it wont be constant affection, you will be blessed with little bursts that will make your heart melt. Billie is the more vocal of the two and will make her presence known, Max will surprise you with his musical meow (very sweet the first time you hear it coming out of the big boy, as it's not what you would imagine) in short bursts. Both of the cats do not like being picked up, and again will make their distaste known. They're very shy, but sweet. Once you have their love and trust the little moments of affection shown will make your heart burst!
The cats love going outside and will definitely let you know when they want to go out. They may explore for 5 minutes, a few hours or even all day- they always come back (very food motivated). If you are going out with Toby and the cats are outside, you can close the door to the inside. Please make sure the cats are inside every night.
The cats litter and food bowls are kept in the garage. They will go to the toilet both inside and outside. They get fed at about 5.30-6 every night. Their dry food it put out at about 5.30, then at 6 they're given a sachet of wet food each and by 6.30 the dry food can be put away (unfortunately after their latest vet visit they are now on a diet).

Spend Christmas on the beach, then go back for New years to watch the fireworks! And all the warm days in between.

Please don't hesitate to ask any further questions,
Thanks,
Kris and Jo!