(Post #34) A Little Dog and A Fireball in Brentwood Bay

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After spending a whirlwind summer in Ontario, catching up with friends, family, and a few forgotten landmarks, I was more than ready to plant my feet back in BC. With four different stops on my Ontario tour, I was grateful for two things: the memories I’d made and the fact that I had retired to the West Coast. There are some things about Ontario I don’t miss, but visiting reminded me why it was home for so long.

While in Ontario, I reached out to two new house/pet sitting hosts. Both wanted to meet me online, and in typical fashion, I dazzled my way into both gigs. It meant cutting my Ontario trip short for the September gig, but hey, duty calls—and Zara the dog was waiting! I had a couple of weeks to fill in before I started there, so I spent some quality time at my friend Deb's place who has two cats. Conveniently for Deb, I played the perfect role of pet-sitter while she snuck off to England for two weeks. Seems like my nomadic lifestyle isn’t just benefiting me! The second gig wasn't until November/December.

Once Deb returned, I packed up and headed to Brentwood Bay, a little village in the municipality of Central Saanich, for my one-week house sit. The moment I arrived, I fell in love with the place. The house was rustic and surrounded by lush trees, giving it an isolated, almost secret hideaway feel. Apple trees lined the yard, and there was a whole area dedicated to growing fruits and vegetables. Not to mention, it was just up the road from a gorgeous bay and resort. 

Enter Irene, the owner. She’s a fireball—a bundle of energy with a sweet accent and a smile that never fades. We connected instantly, and I knew we’d become fast friends. Irene was so laid-back, she practically handed me the keys and said, "Make yourself at home!" She was about to embark on a massive hike with eight friends, but not before running through some quick instructions for me and introducing me to my new furry companion: Zara.

Zara is a little dog with a big personality and enough fluff to almost be a cat. The moment I met her, she looked up at me as if to say, "Okay, human, I’m yours now." Bags packed and waiting by the door, Irene assured me Zara would enjoy being spoiled, and I knew I was the right person for the job. 

The first night was quiet, though I slept well knowing Zara was on high alert downstairs. She’s small, but I had no doubt she’d alert me to any midnight intruders—or at least try to. By morning, Zara was ready to go, practically dragging me out the door for her walk. She took ME down to the marina, where the ferry leaves, and I took in the stunning surroundings. Of course, she pulled me around like she was the boss. After a few days, we reached a mutual understanding—though I’m not entirely sure who won the power struggle.

Zara became my little sidekick, even joining me for trips to my daughter’s place as she was busy preparing for her move to Costa Rica. My granddaughter loved having Zara around as a distraction from all the packing chaos and the stress of such a big move.

Though this sit was short, I enjoyed the location and the ease of looking after Zara. Irene returned from her adventure, but she kindly let me stay a few extra days before my next sit. During that time, we bonded over shared stories, life ambitions, and the trials of being single. Irene, with her full-time job and sprawling property, was always busy, but I jumped in to help wherever I could.

One night, just as the sun was setting, I found Irene digging up wood chips from a massive pile to fill in her vegetable garden. I begged her to let me help. I mean, why not chisel away at a garden patch full of weeds at dusk? Between the two of us, we made great progress. It felt good to lend a hand and share the satisfaction of a job well done.

Saying goodbye was tough, but I knew this wasn’t the last time I’d see Irene and Zara. I even promised to take Zara to the doggie salon a few weeks away; a favor for Irene, and one I was happy to do. I’m pretty sure I’ve made a lifelong friend in Irene—and maybe Zara, too. But, it was time to head to my next house/pet sitting - a Cat named Miss Kitty. 

Brentwood Bay - 4 blocks from the house







Meet Zara

















Next: Post 35 Brewing Friendship and a Cat Named Miss Kitty


Location: Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada

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