Looking for a dog-walker!

The woman who has walked my dog in the afternoons for the last three years just told me last night that she is retiring. I am a teacher, and a commuter, and I go back to work tomorrow! I'm looking for a patient and caring person with experience who can walk my 8 yr. old, 59 lb., female Border Collie mix at around 1:00 daily for 20
minutes on school days. I live in South Orange. Maya has come a long way from the fearful youngster that she once was, but is still fearful of some things and needs
a reliable routine and leadership that she can trust. She is extremely sweet and well mannered; never aggressive. Please reply directly to reservationgirl/my
email if you are interested or know someone who is. It is imperative that I find someone asap ">

Elyse Afandre and her crew at Reliable Pet Services are terrific. She works mostly in Maplewood and SO. Phone: (201) 463-2776

Try placing an ad in the help wanted section. I think it is only $4. Did she just tell you this week that she won't be available tomorrow? Even if you did not use her over the summer, she must have realized you would need her again in September. One day is not good notice to find someone you trust.

Are you willing to use a doggie daycare temporarily?

Have you tried care.com?

Thanx for your suggestions! mommydearest, I've had some dealings with Elyse in the past, but she didn't actually walk Maya, and there were some issues with the person who did. Still, based on your reco, I may reach out to her again. jmitw, what Help Wanted section are you referring to? You're right about the notice! I sent her an email mail back in June to tell her when school started in September. I then sent her another a few days ago. When she called yesterday, she said she'd replied to me, but her email was down! I would have thought she would think something was wrong when I didn't reply... Anyway, we've tried it but doggie day care doesn't work well for Maya. I'll look into care.com. I've reached out to www.thecomfycanine.com on a reco from my vet ~ am waiting to hear back. Anyone know anything about them?

Jon from Comfy Canine is great. He has staff as well. I wouldn't trust care.com only because many of the walkers on there are hobbyists and are probably not insured/bonded. Just looking to make a quick buck and may move on when they find something else to do. Trust, reliability and consistency is most important. You can also search on this website:

https://www.petsit.com/

Also check the MOL business listings under Pet Services and Accessories, ask for references and how long they've been pet sitting/dog walking.

Second Comfy Canine. Very good experience.

reservation girl: I am posting this for my dog walker. She is in Europe and can't access MOL but I sent her your post and she replied via text to me and asked me to post. She is great.

Hi. My name is Pam and I would love an opportunity to meet with you and Maya. I currently walk dogs in South Orange and have experience with shy animals from volunteering at Mt. Pleasant animal shelter. I will be back from vacation late Tuesday night and can meet with you Wednesday. Currently I have limited access to wifi but please send a response and I will get back as soon as I can. You can text or call me at 973-477-0048. Thanks-

I am sending you a PM about someone who would be great.

You've got to talk to Zue or O'Grady at Silverhound. I've been using various dog walkers in the area for more than 8 years and they are the best I've ever used by far. Super professional, flexible, amazingly warm, and my dogs just love them. O'Grady grew up in MSO. Talk to them at least: silverhounddogwalking.com

I can't express how much I appreciate all of your responses! "Trust, reliability and consistency is most important"; "Very good experience"; "experience with shy animals"; "PM about someone who would be great"; "Super professional, flexible, amazingly warm, and my dogs just love them". Very good recos! I will be checking out every one of your suggestions. Thank you so much. I'll let you know how it goes

www.peaceoutdog.com

Jess is the best!

Job market (help wanted)

http://www.maplewoodonline.com/jobs/

Fortunately, my previous dog-walker has agreed to two weeks extension, (seems only fair, and it will serve Maya well during the transition). So far: silverhound has a waiting list! Comfycanines doesn't service my area! Jon from there reco'd Jill @ walkandwag, (anyone know about?), ~ waiting for reply; and peaceoutdog, (like spqr's reco), with whom I am in contact and scheduling a meet. Next, on to Pam and cmarym's PM reco ~ both promising. Meanwhile, Maya is struggling, as usual, with the new school year. So am I! Nonetheless, all the input is helping a great deal THANX!

Jill from Walk and Wag and Jess from peace.out.dog are both very nice people. Experienced and insured. Can't go wrong with either of them.

Very satisfied with Walk and Wag. Jill and her employees have been walking my two dogs since 2006. One of our dogs does not do well with boarding, so we use them for in home pet sitting when we are out of town

Thank you all for your input! I am happy to report that Jess from Peace.Out.Dog is my Maya's new go-to-gal It will take a little time for Maya to transition, but she likes Jess, and so do I! Peace.Out.Dog has given me Peace.Of.Mind .