Surrogate - Fin
Housesitter extraordinaire
This is the final chapter in my pet-owner-surrogacy scape. I hope you enjoyed the previous related posts. A seed planted grows, given the right exposure to light, nourishment and noticing. Thanks for hanging with me on this thread.
After the end to the pandemic was announced, the office called all of the vaccinated back to the building. Full time at first. This was a hard lump to swallow. We’d spent the last 18 months learning a new way of life. One that held more balance for some. It was a rough assimilation. Perhaps not as rough for those called back in the second round, who were required to wear masks and test weekly.
During this time, I cut back on other people’s pet care. I needed self care.
In my spare time, I signed up for local “workshops” that sounded exciting. I read an article on NPR about improv that piqued my interest.
I do not love being on stage or the center of attention in any way but I do love a good stretch. Something that takes me out of my body. Forces me to engage and respond in more rapid fashion. I thought, maybe I should join that 101 class starting in a few weeks at a local improv joint. Additionally, because I can’t just do ONE enriching thing, I started dropping in for salsa lessons downtown as well.
Both were undoubtedly helpful in the transitional period.
We eventually were granted a 50% remote work option. This compromise helped immensely.
I mentioned in a previous post that my sister suggested looking into an app that would allow me to travel across the nation (and internationally, if I chose) to care for people’s homes and animals while they were on vacation. I found it intriguing. Primarily because there was no money directly exchanged in the transaction. Owners and sitters paid the same annual subscription fee. As a sitter, I apply for house sit opportunities I find on the app.
The owners review applications, and set up video calls to assess sitter suitability.
Initially, I thought of places I had not visited and felt a burning desire to so. At the time, Austin TX came to mind. I am not sure I would choose it now but then, it was forefront in my imagination.
I applied for a sit that looked promising - manageable pets, a pool, a great working space.
Somehow, without any recommendations on the app itself, I was welcomed to Austin for a week.
The house was in a newer suburb, about 20 minutes by car to the downtown area. I knew this going in. I made sure I would be able to spend several hours in town without needing to worry about animal welfare. I was also able to work remotely in Class A office space in their home.
I arrived the evening prior to their departure. The house was modern, clean and warm-feeling. The design was odd to me but the guest room was decked out in Grecian celebration. I felt comforted.
I spent two days downtown in Austin during my stay. I hailed a car both times. The owners offered use of their car. I hate driving in the first place, but driving in a foreign city ramps my anxiety up to 11.
I did totally normal things when I went into the city. I purposely communed with random strangers at a local yoga studio, worked on my improvisational skills with another set of lovable weirdos, walked across the city to check out a vintage store my Lyft driver recommended on the DL the first morning, and visited a renovated hotel I’d heard about on a podcast interview with a resident hotelier (I am a recovering fangirl).
While all went well during my visit, I learned a few things. If you want to visit and feel a city, don’t stay in a suburb of the city.
The house was modern and safe feeling. There was a swimming pool I could have used if the weather had been more predictable. There was a 5K paved running trail around the corner from the house.
BUT
It really felt like I was living the intro to Weeds, with the ticky tacky houses and repeat physical activity occurring outside the window.
The only business within walking distance was a CVS. You better believe I found a reason to visit that CVS every night after work.
I have continued to use this app for more than a year now, however, I have not traveled further than 300 miles from my home since.
I had one trip locked for Toronto, CA that fell apart. I do not regret purchasing refundable plane tickets.
My oldest lives on the west side of the state these days, and I love Seattle, so I visit as often as I reasonably can.
I also do some local sits, although, hot tubs and views are pre-requisites for those. I know what I am doing.
When I am in the city, I love arriving without a car. Dependent on local transport, dropping into places I am unfamiliar with. Pretending I live there. Infiltrating. Embodying the vibe.
It is invigorating to study the patterns of a neighborhood. I have a golf handicap, of course. The city is big, none of the neighborhood locals know I don’t belong there!
Much of the time I spend with my kiddo, going to shows, thrifting, visiting friends, napping. All of the good things. When I am not doing that, I might go on a date - alone or with another person. I might just relax in the tub and feel the quiet of another human’s home. It is honestly an unbelievably cool gig.
I have had plenty of fun experiences away from the city, as well. Really, the primary reason I do any of this is to push myself outside of comfort. It might mean becoming a versed city dweller, it might mean spending time in solace. In an alone-beside-an-animal that doesn’t belong to me, kind of way.
This closes the story, I guess. I don’t think I need to go into the growth I’ve experienced through these experiences. Or why and how I plan to continue working this muscle. It seems a lot of that can be implied through the tale and pictures above.
Thanks for following along.💗
-Melanie
So fun!