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Settling into Australia: Our First House Sit

Writer's picture: yorickgunsyorickguns

Updated: Dec 11, 2024

Housing in Australia can be pricey, and we wanted to start our journey stress-free, with no juggling apartment viewings, rental contracts, or utility bills just yet. So, we decided to dive into the world of pet-sitting. Our plan? Stay in local homes while caring for some adorable furry companions.


Let me introduce you to our first four-legged friend: Rocky of Kewdale. Rocky is a four-year-old Stafford Boxer mix with a gentle demeanour, or so we thought. When Marek, his owner, introduced us, it was love at first sight. Marek even joked that Rocky, who usually isn’t fond of men, seemed perfectly at ease with me. It was shaping up to be the perfect match... or so it seemed. On Wednesday, December 4th, we arrived at Marek’s house around 1 p.m. Marek was busy packing for his trip to Germany, and Rocky was still the cuddly pup we had met the day before. Everything changed the moment Marek and his daughters left. Rocky bolted outside to his sofa and refused to let us come near. His behaviour shifted dramatically, becoming scared and protective, keeping his distance and avoiding all contact. When we got closer, he barked and growled at us; even treats couldn’t coax him back inside. Things took a turn when he darted past us to sit in the entrance hall, effectively barring us from entering the house.




What to do? After some failed attempts to calm him, we climbed over the back fence to regain entry through the unlocked front door. Rocky retreated to his outdoor spot, clearly needing space. Later that evening, Rosanna, who lives in Marek’s granny flat, came home. To our surprise, Rocky instantly transformed back into the affectionate pup we’d met earlier, letting us pet him, leash him, and even take him for a walk around nearby Tomato Lake. We couldn’t help but wonder: What would happen if Rosanna wasn’t around?


Over the following days, we took a slow and patient approach. We left the door open so Rocky could come and go as he pleased, letting him set the pace. Gradually, he warmed up to us until—finally—he was back to being a sweet, cuddly dog.


 

Amid Rocky’s mood swings, we had plenty of practical matters to tackle. As this was the start of our adventure, we spent the first few days sorting out paperwork and getting acquainted with Australian systems—hardly the glamorous side of travel, but necessary!

We also launched this blog, which has been an exciting creative outlet. Margaux is having a blast designing and sharing our experiences with you all.


When the weekend rolled around, we took advantage of the glorious summer weather and headed to Fremantle—known as Freo to Aussies, who seem to have a knack for abbreviating everything. This charming harbour town is a vibrant mix of history and creativity.

Freo’s beautifully preserved Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes, complete with convict-era architecture, tell stories of its rich past. But it’s not all about history—the town has a bohemian flair, a buzzing arts scene and mouthwatering culinary offerings.


We wandered through the famous weekend markets filled with handcrafted treasures, local delicacies, and the scent of freshly cooked food. It was the perfect spot to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a cocktail by the beach—cheers to that and Tingelingetuta!


Don't forget to check out the wildlife posts! Where we post pictures and a short description of all the animals we encounter in the wild!

 

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thuismama
08 de dez. de 2024

Tingelingetuta!

Curtir

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