At Your Bark and Call

"My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am."
- Unknown

In Caren’s Words -

I started AT YOUR BARK AND CALL in Asheville, North Carolina in June, 1999. Over the years, my heart has repeatedly brought me back to caring for animals, despite degrees in unrelated fields - Communications (human) and Therapeutic Recreation. At this point I have well over twenty five years of professional experience working with animals. My first official job was in a boarding kennel and grooming parlor in high school. Prior to that I volunteered with the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Over the summers while working on my undergraduate degree I worked for my hometown veterinary hospital. While working on my master’s degree I owned and operated Soleil Pet Sitting Service in Sandia Park, NM, and worked part-time as a veterinary assistant. From 1994 to 1997 I worked as a horse professional at Skyline Ranch doing therapy on horseback.

I received my most extensive training while employed as an animal humane officer in Sonoma County, California, the City of Madison, Wisconsin, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, and Buncombe County, North Carolina. In these situations I learned to relate to animals on their turf - animals who were sometimes frightened, sometimes neglected, often less than immediately friendly or welcoming. Working with animals under questionable care was possibly the most rewarding and challenging work I will ever do. It also taught me what I might expect when entering the home of an animal whose people are not home. Occasionally there is a brief adjustment period until my new friend and I become well acquainted with food, walks, love, and affection. Thankfully I now care for animals who are truly adored by their human companions, and who are, in turn, most often welcoming and ready to give their undivided love and affection the minute I walk in the door. I am committed to providing your animal companions with the same genuine love and affection when making visits to your home during your absence.

I share my own home with Tori, a 15 year old Spitz mix, Bouli, a wide-eyed 18 year old "ET" cat, Cleo, a 15 year old stunningly beautiful, independent feline, Ume, a 1 year old kid brother lover boy cat, and a few welcome house guest dogs who follow the rules laid out by Bouli and Cleo. We are a happy little family, humbly and deeply grateful for our extended AT YOUR BARK AND CALL family.

Caren

Cleo

Bouli

Tori

Ume