6th Sit: October/November 2019
5th Sit: April 2018
4th Sit: March/April 2017
3rd Sit: February 2016 (split sit)
2nd Sit: February/March 2015
1st Sit:  December 2014

Next sit: May - September 2021 - cancelled due to Covid 19 travel restrictions
Next sit: May - September 2020 - cancelled due to Covid 19 travel restrictions
5th sit: June - August 2019
4th sit: July & August 2017
3rd sit: July & August 2016
2nd sit: July & August 2015
1st sit: May 2015

Shortly after this sad event, Clive saw our elderly dog falter and faint.  They rushed her to the emergency vet, where she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.  Their quick action literally saved her life – only 30% of dogs survive acute heart failure.  They made multiple veterinary visits, sometimes recording the consultation to keep us in the loop.  They picked up prescriptions, worked out a thrice daily medication routine, and made sure that Maya got more frequent breaks outside because of the meds.  She was here to greet us and happy when we arrived home, thanks to them. 

We know that they did all of the same things we would have done, with just as much tenderness.  And somehow in the middle of all of this they put the finishing touches on our rescue chihuahua’s potty training, which had been a very slow process.  We are so grateful for their patience and caring relationship with our pets, no matter how trying.

Our home and car are always in tip top shape when we return, and they appreciate and enjoy our warm weather, sunshine, and desert environment.

We have referred them to others, creating a bit of competition for their services in Arizona.  We introduced them to many of our friends and they have met others in the area on their own.  They are such fun, sociable, and interesting people, and such great raconteurs, that they are much in demand during their time in Mesa. Our only disappointment is that we are always rushing away or returning home so don’t get to see as much of them as we’d like! 

Clive and Ali are fine people who have become cherished friends as well as house sitters.  We feel so fortunate that we found them and that they have been able and willing to return year after year.  We hope to continue that tradition!                                                           

7th sit: May 2019
​6th sit: September/October 2018
5th sit: April/May 2018
4th sit: September/October 2017
3rd sit: March 2017
2nd sit: April 2016
1st sit: January 2015

6th sit: December 2018/January 2019
5th Sit: January/February 2018
4th Sit: January 2016 (split sit)
3rd Sit: September 2015
2nd Sit: January 2015 (split sit)
1st Sit: August/September 2012

This is the 6th occasion that we have been invited to sit by Joanna & Patrick.

We are always delighted to return to their lovely home in Dorset as we have developed a very strong bond with all of the animals.  In addition, Patrick and Joanna have now become good friends and we are already looking forward our next visit.

We have not asked them to write a reference for this most recent sit as they have already written two testimonials for us which you can read by clicking on the links below.

5th sit: April/May 2018
4th sit: September/October 2017
3rd sit: March 2017
2nd sit: April 2016
1st sit: January 2015

This was our 5th visit to Joanna and Patrick's lovely home in rural Dorset.

We only ever ask home owners to write a maximum of 2 references on our behalf which they have already written.  You can read these reviews by following the links below.

We like to think that the fact that we have been invited back so many times is testament in itself of the value Joanna and Patrick place on our house and pet caring services.  Indeed, like a number of other people, they now book their holidays around our availability and we are very much looking forward to returning to Stoke Wake later in the year.

5 times & counting!

Clive & Ali first came to sit for us in 2014 & they returned this year for the 5th time. 

Last year we recommended them to friends who booked them over Christmas & when they called in for tea we seized the opportunity to discuss our 2018 spring break.  Clive & Ali had a couple of weeks free just after Easter & since it’s a real treat for us to holiday with them in charge of our animals we decided there & then to arrange our trip around their availability!

Our home & our animals are very important to us so it is always reassuring to know that when we go away, the house, sheep, cats and dog are all left safe & sound in Clive & Ali's care.  Our dog Pipit is convinced that they are her own personal playmates - she would be devastated to know that there must be many other dogs who feel exactly the same!

If you have any hesitation about inviting sitters into your home, do yourself - & your pets - a favour; get in touch with Clive and Ali.  They are caring, friendly & highly competent people who will put your mind at ease instantly.  Contact them well in advance though as they are, justifiably, very highly sought after!

85, 71, 56, 43, 39

4th sit: April 2018
3rd sit: April 2017
2nd sit: March/April 2016
1st sit: May 2013

Mary Beth runs a small dog-minding business from home.  During our time here we look after a number of her regular clients.

​Another holiday and another chance to catch up with Clive and Ali and leave my cottage and my dog Doodie in their capable hands. 

Going away with no worries is such a great feeling to know that everything will be under control.

When I left my cottage it was tidy, and when I returned it was immaculate….!!  I must go away more often….!!

Extract from post sit email

Who does that?  Only Clive and Ali, that’s who!

I first met Clive and Ali, the dog whispers, two years ago when they came to AZ to house/pet sit for my local pet sitters Mary Beth and Tim.  (see link to their testimonial below)

​My first impression was that Clive and Ali love all animals, so I was delighted when they volunteered to continue the day visits to my 3 dogs when my local sitter was on vacation.

On the second day, they arrived at my house and found my elderly husky No Se’ splayed out on the tile floor and unable to right herself.  They immediately called me and when I arrived, 45 minutes later, I found them sitting on the floor with her, talking to her and calming her so that she would not further injure herself.  They helped me get her to her feet, gently coaxing her to allow us to move her.  Later that month, my beloved No Se’ passed over the rainbow bridge, Clive and Ali sent me a beautiful note, expressing their condolences and acknowledging the very special nature of my special girl.  

Who does that?  Only Clive and Ali, that’s who!

Later that summer Clive and Ali returned to AZ for a longer house sit.  They again asked if they could come by and sit my pets.  They were surprised when they came by to visit with me; the pack now included a new rescue that I was having difficulty integrating into my pack. Frankly, I was afraid to work with them on my own due to the volatile nature of their past interactions.  Not only did Clive and Ali fall in love “with my boisterous one”, their affectionate name for him, but they also offered to come by every other night to help me work to unite my pack.  Without hesitation they continued to do that for over a month, until they departed AZ.  I looked forward to the visit of my dog whisperers, not only for the progress we made with the pack, but also because they regaled me with entertaining stories about their incredible life adventures.

Who does that?  Clive and Ali, that’s who!

Fast forward to the summer of 2016, the pack and I anxiously awaited Clive and Ali’s arrival! They immediately volunteered to come by daily to sit the pack.  This time my pack included a new little one, a rescue described as a feral dog.  Little Scarlett really is a little sweetheart, but that personality was buried deep and only seen by me.  By the time they left AZ Scarlett was able to take treats from them and very close to allowing Ali to actually pet her.  With their care and love Scarlett made great progress, learning to accept strangers.  

Who does that?  Only Clive and Ali, that’s who!

I cannot say enough about the level of trust, admiration and respect I have for Clive and Ali.  They are always welcome in my home and by my pack…not an easy feat.  

I can recommend them without hesitation and believe that anyone lucky enough to meet them will have similar stories to share.  

Clive and Ali came for a second time to care for Grace and Isabel, our two Labradors, so that we could visit family in the states for a fortnight.

Our ‘girls’ were obviously very happy to see them again and we left knowing they were in good hands.

While we were away our plans changed suddenly and we had to return to the UK for a business meeting. We were home for a few days then left again.

Clive and Ali were wonderfully accommodating and flexible during this stressful period, taking the dogs with them to stay in our tiny holiday cottage so that we didn’t have to worry about them.

​We hope that Clive and Ali continue their nomadic life for some years to come. They are not only the best house/dog sitters we could ever ask for, they are genuinely lovely people and we all look forward to seeing more of them.