Pet-sitting
| Animals with specific needs | 1 Dog | 3 Cats | 2 Horses | Farm animals
We have a wide range of pets -
Stanley, Sidges and Scarpetta the cats are straightforward and have a catflap, so can let themselves in and out, they just need feeding twice a day. No cleaning necessary apart from the feeding area.
Mister Marsali the dog is a very easy going medium size cross-breed. He barks at passers-by but is otherwise harmless and very sweet. We've had him since he was tiny. He needs a good walk every day, plus we give a quick walk around the field when we get up in the morning and before going to bed, but the land is fenced so he can be free to be let out to do his business. He gets fed twice a day too. He gets very distracted by the scent of other animals so we ask that he is walked on a lead when out of our property.
Stella the horse is also fed twice a day. She has free run of the fields all the time. Her stall area needs cleaning once a day. She likes to be brushed and then in the fly season sprayed down with bug repellant. Some experience with horses is necessary, although we do …
We have a wide range of pets -
Stanley, Sidges and Scarpetta the cats are straightforward and have a catflap, so can let themselves in and out, they just need feeding twice a day. No cleaning necessary apart from the feeding area.
Mister Marsali the dog is a very easy going medium size cross-breed. He barks at passers-by but is otherwise harmless and very sweet. We've had him since he was tiny. He needs a good walk every day, plus we give a quick walk around the field when we get up in the morning and before going to bed, but the land is fenced so he can be free to be let out to do his business. He gets fed twice a day too. He gets very distracted by the scent of other animals so we ask that he is walked on a lead when out of our property.
Stella the horse is also fed twice a day. She has free run of the fields all the time. Her stall area needs cleaning once a day. She likes to be brushed and then in the fly season sprayed down with bug repellant. Some experience with horses is necessary, although we do have a neighbour (Dutch, English and Italian speaking) who knows Stella well and can help at any time, or even call around if there are any issues.
Nikita the pony doesn't need extra feed on top of the grazing and hay, and the rest of her care is as above for Stella the horse. She tends to follow Stella wherever she goes so it's sufficient to lead Stella and the pony will follow!
We've just fostered an ex-dairy cow so she can live out the rest of her life peacefully on the fields. Care is similar to the horse - a little food twice a day, checking fresh water and keeping the stall clean, along with fly spray.
We have 6 rescue hens and a rooster in a secure free range area near the house. Their door is automatic with the light so they just need checking, feeding, water checking and light cleaning of the hen-house. And of course delicious eggs need collecting daily!
Other than that, we'd just like the house sitter to keep the house safe and in a good state, and enjoy their time here!
Hi, we're looking to go away in May but haven't booked yet so dates are loosely flexible, we'd need the sitter to be there a day or two before we leave to get familiar with the animals and the routine. Look forward to hearing from you! Al & Erika
Hi, we're looking to go away in May but haven't booked yet so dates are loosely flexible, we'd need the sitter to be there a day or two before we leave to get familiar with the animals and the routine. Look forward to hearing from you! Al & Erika
We moved into this beautiful old stone house at the top of the lane in late 2020 and are still slowly working on it, although now it's fully functional, with only smaller cosmetic things to do. In the foothills of the Cottian Alps with the plains of Piemonte below and the mountains behind, this is an excellent place to explore these hills.
We have a horse, a pony, a cow, 7 chickens, a dog and two cats who need looking after when we are away, all are fairly straightforward but we much prefer to have someone stay and look after them than have an animal carer pass by. We hope that this place will provide peaceful sanctuary for those who stay.
The house has everything you need (if you're okay with country living!). The beds are comfy. Heating is by wood stove and pellet stove, the cooker runs on gas, as does the hot water and there's as much as you need available. The delicious drinking water is totally pure and fresh from the mountain. We even have an original wood fired bread/pizza oven for the experienced fire builder! We also have a piano, guitars and various other instruments for …
We moved into this beautiful old stone house at the top of the lane in late 2020 and are still slowly working on it, although now it's fully functional, with only smaller cosmetic things to do. In the foothills of the Cottian Alps with the plains of Piemonte below and the mountains behind, this is an excellent place to explore these hills.
We have a horse, a pony, a cow, 7 chickens, a dog and two cats who need looking after when we are away, all are fairly straightforward but we much prefer to have someone stay and look after them than have an animal carer pass by. We hope that this place will provide peaceful sanctuary for those who stay.
The house has everything you need (if you're okay with country living!). The beds are comfy. Heating is by wood stove and pellet stove, the cooker runs on gas, as does the hot water and there's as much as you need available. The delicious drinking water is totally pure and fresh from the mountain. We even have an original wood fired bread/pizza oven for the experienced fire builder! We also have a piano, guitars and various other instruments for the musically inclined.
The local neighbours are very friendly and helpful (nearest neighbour about 500m away).
Nearest village Is Bagnolo Piemonte, about 4km (10 minutes drive) which has pretty much everything you might need, the village of Barge is 15 mins away and the bigger towns of Saluzzo and Pinerolo are about 25 minutes away. We are in between Torino and Cuneo, both cities about an hour away.
Although it doesn't give the option to select Italian as a spoken language on this site, we both speak Italian well, so would also welcome house-sitters from Italy who didn't speak English, in case that was a worry for anyone.
House
| isolated
| View on the mountain | View on the forest | View on the countryside
One of us is a musician so there is a lovely old Bluthner grand piano that is available for (careful) visitors, plus numerous guitars and other instruments. Also we have various books to read, mainly in English and a TV with Netflix for a film or two in the evening. There are 2 outdoor stone tables for eating al fresco if it's warm enough, plus a traditional wood fired bread / pizza oven (although this would need basic instruction from us before use if interested!)
If we are going away by aeroplane then we might be able to offer the use of our car while we're away if the house-sitter is okay driving us to the airport (and the sitter is a safe experienced driver over 30 years old ;-)
One of us is a musician so there is a lovely old Bluthner grand piano that is available for (careful) visitors, plus numerous guitars and other instruments. Also we have various books to read, mainly in English and a TV with Netflix for a film or two in the evening. There are 2 outdoor stone tables for eating al fresco if it's warm enough, plus a traditional wood fired bread / pizza oven (although this would need basic instruction from us before use if interested!)
If we are going away by aeroplane then we might be able to offer the use of our car while we're away if the house-sitter is okay driving us to the airport (and the sitter is a safe experienced driver over 30 years old ;-)
Living space between 150 and 500 m²
Garden with an area of more than 1000 m²
2 floors
6 rooms including 2 bedrooms
Terrace
Parking
Garden
Television
Living space between 150 and 500 m²
Garden with an area of more than 1000 m²
2 floors
6 rooms including 2 bedrooms
Terrace
Parking
Garden
Television
Book library
Works of art
Television
Internet access
Washing machine
Private garden
Superette
Market
Supermarket
Doctor nearby
Drugstore
Veterinarian
Near a bus stop
The area is beautiful and there are plenty of walks straight from the house. The house is surrounded by greenery which makes it an oasis of peace but you can soon be in the village with bars, restaurants and shops. By car you can soon reach the mountains for hiking and the views are incredible. It's a comfortable house that's easy to live in, can be chilly in winter when the fires not going, so we recommend visitors bring plenty of warm clothes. There are plenty of warm covers and blankets available.
The area is beautiful and there are plenty of walks straight from the house. The house is surrounded by greenery which makes it an oasis of peace but you can soon be in the village with bars, restaurants and shops. By car you can soon reach the mountains for hiking and the views are incredible. It's a comfortable house that's easy to live in, can be chilly in winter when the fires not going, so we recommend visitors bring plenty of warm clothes. There are plenty of warm covers and blankets available.
Our house is in an area in a lesser known part of the Alps that separate Italy from France, which we really like as it's very authentic. Almost everyone we know are local Italians, or Piemontese as they are known from this area! The famous Stone King mountain, Monviso is nearby alongside so many stunning mountains, and there are countless trails all around, both down on the plain and in the hills. You can also find many walks straight from our front door.
Also we are only 25 minutes drive from the nearest ski slopes (the tiny resort of Rucas) for those who like to ski. The nearby village of Barge is a charming stone clad place with winding alleys and the nearest town Saluzzo is beautiful and full of it's Savoy royal family history as well as having some great places to visit, drink and eat. On the plain is the distinctive Rocca di Cavour which is interesting to visit and has a lovely village next to it.
There are weekly markets in every village - Bagnolo's is Wednesday morning but there are others every day. If you want the city, Cuneo is beautiful and Torino (Turin) is considered …
Our house is in an area in a lesser known part of the Alps that separate Italy from France, which we really like as it's very authentic. Almost everyone we know are local Italians, or Piemontese as they are known from this area! The famous Stone King mountain, Monviso is nearby alongside so many stunning mountains, and there are countless trails all around, both down on the plain and in the hills. You can also find many walks straight from our front door.
Also we are only 25 minutes drive from the nearest ski slopes (the tiny resort of Rucas) for those who like to ski. The nearby village of Barge is a charming stone clad place with winding alleys and the nearest town Saluzzo is beautiful and full of it's Savoy royal family history as well as having some great places to visit, drink and eat. On the plain is the distinctive Rocca di Cavour which is interesting to visit and has a lovely village next to it.
There are weekly markets in every village - Bagnolo's is Wednesday morning but there are others every day. If you want the city, Cuneo is beautiful and Torino (Turin) is considered by many the modern cultural capital of Italy.
Alan and Erika are fantastic hosts, their animals are simply amazing and their house is so peaceful! Loved house sitting for them and would come back any time!
Loved my stay in Alan and Erikas house. They were fantastic to deal with right from the start and made sure everything was available for my house and animal sit. The cats, Peanut and Stanley were great and they let me sleep in until 5;30am. The dog Marsali was good company on walks in this beautiful part of Italy. Stella the horse was well behaved and added another interesting aspect to this house sit. Thank you both for your great communication, friendly warm and welcoming attitude and I highly recommend you to any prospective sitters in the future. Best Wishes Ciao Dave
