Poppy – Pre-Sitting Meet & Greet 🐕🤝

✨ Meeting Up With Poppy

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Poppy and her caregivers at their home for a pre-sitting meet-and-greet. These initial meetings are such an important part of my pet sitting practice — they give me the chance to get to know each pet’s personality, understand their routine, and ensure both the caregivers and their companion feel comfortable and confident about the upcoming care.

Poppy was welcoming and curious from the moment I arrived, which immediately told me a lot about her temperament. She’s a newly rescued girl who is still settling into her new life, so this session was especially valuable. She’s reactive to other dogs and cats, and her caregiver shared that she becomes particularly anxious around dogs on walks — especially off-lead ones — so understanding her triggers and emotional boundaries will be key to supporting her safely.

We took our time so she could get familiar with my presence, and I could observe what excites her, what soothes her, and what helps her feel secure.

🏠 Understanding Poppy’s Routine

During our visit, Poppy’s caregiver walked me through her daily routine in detail. We discussed:

• 🍽️ Feeding Schedule — Poppy currently eats three times a day, as she wasn’t eating consistently while in the shelter. Keeping this routine stable is important for her confidence and well-being.

• 🚶 Walking Routine — her usual walking times, preferred routes, and how her reactivity shapes when and where she can safely go out. We also talked about strategies for avoiding triggers and building her comfort over time.

• 💙 Care and Comfort — where she likes to rest, how she communicates her needs, and the small details that help her feel grounded. These habits are an essential part of helping a newly rescued dog feel safe.

🗂️ Practical Preparation

We also covered the practical side of things — I was shown where Poppy’s food, lead, treats, and supplies are kept, and we exchanged emergency information, vet details, and important notes about her care.

We also discussed a gradual introduction plan: a walking session together, a single overnight trial visit

before the originally booked block of nine overnight visits.

This step-by-step approach will help Poppy build familiarity, reduce anxiety, and ensure all of us feel confident and prepared for her longer care period.

I didn’t take photos during the meet & greet itself, but here’s one from our first walking session.

📅 Looking Ahead: 24th February – 4th March 2026

I’ll be caring for Poppy across nine days from late February to early March 2026, with each visit including feeding, walking, and general day-to-day and evening care. With her being newly rescued and still adjusting, this thoughtful build-up will make her experience as positive and stress-free as possible.

🐾 Why Meet & Greets Matter

Pre-sitting meet-and-greets aren’t just about logistics — they’re about building trust. Pets, especially those newly rescued or still finding their footing, can be sensitive to change. Meeting them in advance helps reduce anxiety and creates a calm sense of familiarity before longer care begins.

For caregivers, it’s a chance to share everything that matters; for pets, it’s a gentle introduction; and for me, it ensures that I can step in with the same patience, awareness, and responsibility I apply in my museum and heritage work.

Whether I’m handling historical objects or caring for someone’s beloved companion, the principles remain the same: respect, responsibility, and thoughtful preparation.

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🐾 If you are interested in similar pet services in the Sheffield Area, contact me via Rover & Cat in a Flat

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