| Janie Ebner Owner |
| Heather Brown |
| I couldn't think of a better way to spend my days, than pet sitting! I love animals. I always have. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, and my family never had dogs. I begged, but just could not get my way. I always found ways to spend time with a puppy -- with my friends' animals, neighbors, or I would just talk another relative into getting a cuddly little pup. As an adult, I take every opportunity to have dogs (and cats) all around me. I have 3 dogs of my own whom I adore more than anything. In addition to those 3, I also have 2 cats. I know it sounds like a lot, but they all bring so much joy. It's overwhelming sometimes, but when the day is done, I wouldn't trade any of them. Love'm and Leave'm Pet Sitting is the result of many talks about what would be the perfect business for us to run on our own. We thought and we thought, and finally we asked ourselves, "what do we love?" The answer: Animals. Simple enough. We just needed to decide how to put that love to work. Then, there was a trip to the kennel with three dogs. This is not a fun task for furkids, and from there we knew that the best care pets could receive was in their own home. Even if we could not provide it ourselves, it was still best for them to be at home. And Love'm and Leave'm Pet Sitting began. I enjoy this business more than I would have ever thought. We have the best clients anyone could ask for (two and four legged!) I consider myself lucky! |
Growing up within a tight-knit, middle class family in New York (see bad accent), our home was never without pets
(birds, fish, mice, hamsters, cats, rabbits & dogs). My parents were creative in providing me and my two sisters with
entertainment. A recurring family outing was to the local animal shelter. I distinctly recall my father saying if we had
enough room, we’d take them all home. The fact that we could never take them all home has remained with me
always.
Moving to North Carolina in order to be closer to my family 10 years ago, I left my social work aspirations behind to
begin a career in property management. After five successful, yet completely uninspired and unfulfilling years, I
finally found my way back to my passion.
The last five years working for the APS of Durham and Orange County respectively have been some of the most
rewarding of my life. Advocating on behalf of homeless animals, the importance of spay/neutering, and responsible
pet care will remain important to me in all of my future endeavors.
Within the past five years, I have perfected my dog and cat speak, and I am confidently prepared to manage even the
most difficult of behavior problems. My home life consists of five dogs who give me regular practice dealing with
fence jumping, prey drives, high energy, strong-mindedness, leash aggression, garbage eating, resource guarding,
noise anxiety, allergies, stinky “presents” indoors, mounds of hair, and most importantly love and happiness that
only dogs (and cats) can deliver. While I have loved my work serving homeless animals and our community, there
have been many sad and stressful times as well. I am very much looking forward to making pets and their people
happy!
(birds, fish, mice, hamsters, cats, rabbits & dogs). My parents were creative in providing me and my two sisters with
entertainment. A recurring family outing was to the local animal shelter. I distinctly recall my father saying if we had
enough room, we’d take them all home. The fact that we could never take them all home has remained with me
always.
Moving to North Carolina in order to be closer to my family 10 years ago, I left my social work aspirations behind to
begin a career in property management. After five successful, yet completely uninspired and unfulfilling years, I
finally found my way back to my passion.
The last five years working for the APS of Durham and Orange County respectively have been some of the most
rewarding of my life. Advocating on behalf of homeless animals, the importance of spay/neutering, and responsible
pet care will remain important to me in all of my future endeavors.
Within the past five years, I have perfected my dog and cat speak, and I am confidently prepared to manage even the
most difficult of behavior problems. My home life consists of five dogs who give me regular practice dealing with
fence jumping, prey drives, high energy, strong-mindedness, leash aggression, garbage eating, resource guarding,
noise anxiety, allergies, stinky “presents” indoors, mounds of hair, and most importantly love and happiness that
only dogs (and cats) can deliver. While I have loved my work serving homeless animals and our community, there
have been many sad and stressful times as well. I am very much looking forward to making pets and their people
happy!
Have you ever played that game at the fair where you try to toss a ball into a fish bowl?
Well, that’s where my relationship with animals began. As a child, I begged and
begged my parents to let me play that game – and wouldn’t you know it – I won! Thus,
my first pet became Jennifer, the goldfish. Looking back on this now, I am horrified by
the thought of “winning” a pet at the fair, but for me, this was just the beginning. I went
through the trials of losing Jennifer (and many other fish), growing up with a grumpy
bassett hound, and living with many independent-spirited cats.
As an adult, I “inherited” my first dog, Admiral, through a human relationship, and it
was he who brought joy to my life and taught me about unconditional love. Admiral and
I rode through some tough trials in our short time together, and I lost him to cancer at
only age 8. But it is because of him that I reached out to find meaningful work helping
others experience the same joy and love that I had. I began volunteering with
Independent Animal Rescue and the Durham APS, and as they say, the rest is history.
Although I am a school counselor by profession, my true love lies in animal welfare
work. I found my lifelong human companion through this work, and now share life with
five wonderful dogs. We can’t trust many folks with our crazy pack, so we are incredibly
thankful to have found Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em. When my school schedule permits, I
enjoy taking on some sits and getting to know more great animals and their people.
Well, that’s where my relationship with animals began. As a child, I begged and
begged my parents to let me play that game – and wouldn’t you know it – I won! Thus,
my first pet became Jennifer, the goldfish. Looking back on this now, I am horrified by
the thought of “winning” a pet at the fair, but for me, this was just the beginning. I went
through the trials of losing Jennifer (and many other fish), growing up with a grumpy
bassett hound, and living with many independent-spirited cats.
As an adult, I “inherited” my first dog, Admiral, through a human relationship, and it
was he who brought joy to my life and taught me about unconditional love. Admiral and
I rode through some tough trials in our short time together, and I lost him to cancer at
only age 8. But it is because of him that I reached out to find meaningful work helping
others experience the same joy and love that I had. I began volunteering with
Independent Animal Rescue and the Durham APS, and as they say, the rest is history.
Although I am a school counselor by profession, my true love lies in animal welfare
work. I found my lifelong human companion through this work, and now share life with
five wonderful dogs. We can’t trust many folks with our crazy pack, so we are incredibly
thankful to have found Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em. When my school schedule permits, I
enjoy taking on some sits and getting to know more great animals and their people.
| Holly Guss |
I moved to North Carolina about 4 and a half years ago after college in Texas and
a short attempt at living in New York. I grew up in New York but it's much too cold
and busy for me. I got my first dog as soon as I got to North Carolina and I've
been an obsessed dog owner ever since. I can talk your ear off about my dog,
Nacho. He's a 4 year old boxer/pitt mix. I have always been an animal lover--I
became a vegetarian when I was 11, I sent money to save the manatees in
elementary school, and I've lived with six cats throughout my life. I applied for the
job at Love'm and Leave'm Pet Sitting because it sounded like so much fun to play
with dogs and cats (especially since I can't get any more). I also know how hard it
can be to leave your pets at home and to find someone good to take care of them.
I'm very excited to meet you and all of your little ones!
a short attempt at living in New York. I grew up in New York but it's much too cold
and busy for me. I got my first dog as soon as I got to North Carolina and I've
been an obsessed dog owner ever since. I can talk your ear off about my dog,
Nacho. He's a 4 year old boxer/pitt mix. I have always been an animal lover--I
became a vegetarian when I was 11, I sent money to save the manatees in
elementary school, and I've lived with six cats throughout my life. I applied for the
job at Love'm and Leave'm Pet Sitting because it sounded like so much fun to play
with dogs and cats (especially since I can't get any more). I also know how hard it
can be to leave your pets at home and to find someone good to take care of them.
I'm very excited to meet you and all of your little ones!
| Becca Smith |
