Guidelines

Daily Visits:

Visits range from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on your pet's needs. Other durations and prices can be negotiated. ("Visits" refers to any time I come to your home to care for your pet.) I try to keep most dogs out and walking for at least 20 minutes.
Please pay at least once a week, preferably on the last visit, for regular visits, and on the first visit for vacations. I take checks (made out to "Sharon Wasko"), cash, or Paypal to sharon (at) puppyuprising.com.
Please try to give me at least 48 hours notice when you'll need me. My schedule is pretty full these days! (But you can still always try me the day of if it's an emergency.)
Cancellations: Please please please tell me ASAP if you need to cancel! Individual visits canceled after 10am will incur a fee equal to half the price of the walk, if I'm inconvenienced.
I love Clark Park! If your dog is well-socialized enough to run off-leash with other dogs, I'd love to take her there! For dogs who can't be let off-leash, but like other dogs, I recommend the private park, Chester Avenue Dog Park at 48th and Chester. It's big and has toys, water, and even extra plastic bags. For information on joining, see their (somewhat sparse) website, http://www.chesteravenuedogpark.com.
I will come when specified whenever possible. There may be, however, times when I won't be able to make it for whatever reason. In these cases I will have a reliable backup person come in my place. I will try to let you know in advance whenever possible. My back-up walkers reserve the right to charge their own rates when not filling in for me.
In case of an emergency that requires a vet or other emergency assistance, you are responsible for covering or reimbursing me for the costs (including transportation) and extra time spent. Having a credit card or other payment plan on file with your veterinarian is recommended.
You can get in touch with me at: 215-827-5444, my cell phone (which I'll give you once you contact me) or sharon (at) puppyuprising (dot) com. Phone/text message is the fastest way of reaching me but I check email about every other day.

Housesitting:

Please don't be embarrassed to leave me long, detailed notes about the pets, house, garbage disposal, TV remote, etc. The more information I have, the smoother my stay will go! Also, if I’m staying at your place, it helps me to know whether it’s OK for me to eat your food, do laundry, use your computer, etc. The more of these things it’s OK for me to do, the more comfortable I am, and the more time I’ll spend with your animals. Also, since I house-sit very frequently, it helps my sanity to bring a guest. Know that I may have one or occassionally two very trustworthy, close friends over. If this is a problem for you, let me know.
Dog-sitting generally includes one long walk, two short walks or let-outs, feeding, and a sleep over. If for whatever reason your dogs don’t need me to come by 3 times a day (backyard access, etc.), we can negotiate a lower price. However, as a policy, I will not let a dog stay inside for more than 12 hours at night, 9 during the day.
Travelers: If I’m taking care of your animals while you’re out of town, please call or text me on my cell phone less than 24 hours before you leave, and get confirmation from me. Please reiterate when exactly you are leaving and planning on getting back. This is just a precaution to prevent miscommunication, but it’s really important. Also, as usual, I ask that you call to confirm when you’ve gotten home.
Cancellations: Sadly, I need to institute a cancellation fee. Always call me as soon as you know you need to cancel. Dog-sitting jobs canceled less than 5 days in advance will also incur a charge if I had to turn down another job because you had already booked me.
Feel free to call and see how things are going. However: No daily updates available - sorry! If you are away I will only call you in case of emergencies.