Mary
I was working as the Director of Marketing, PR and Communications in a multi-billion dollar firm in Corporate America, when one day I had just decided I wanted to do something more "fulfilling" with my life. Since I've always loved pets, and was never without them my entire life, I decided this was a good way to fulfill my desire. I ventured into the world of pet sitting and never looked back! I still love my work today, as much as I did back in 1999, but regret that I do not get to spend as much time with the furry critters as I used to. My duties are mostly in the office now, but I cherish those times where I get to cover for one of our pet sitters and go play with the babies!
I live in Germantown and am currently owned by an 8 year old German Shepherd named "Maxx", who rules our house! Maxx is a great watch dog, but a big baby once he gets to know someone; you can see his picture in the "Our Pets" section of the website by clicking on his name above. Now that our 2 daughters are all grown up, Maxx is the only "kid" we have. Of course, I'm a Grandma now, too! My Granddaughter is 2 1/2 years old and so much fun! When I'm not working, or spending time with my Daughters or Granddaughter, I'm out on my motorcycle with my husband. We both love to ride and we spend as much of our spare time as possible on 2 wheels, seeing the beautiful sights the world has to offer!
I am confident that our wonderful team of pet sitters is the BEST in this area; we all love what we do, and that comes across in our work. Operating Happy Paws has given me a sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing that we provide a wonderful service for residents of Montgomery County and their precious pets.
I look forward to chatting with you and meeting your beautiful pets some day.
Bonnie
I did not set out to become a professional pet sitter, but to find a job doing something I enjoyed that involved pets. I have always enjoyed being around pets because they give me great joy and they make me laugh more than any of the humans I know. So, I started my search on the internet for a local job involving pets and found Mary quite by accident when I submitted an employee application to her that was from another pet sitting company. Lucky for me Mary has a great sense of humor because she still looked at my application for another employer and called me in for an interview. In my eyes that was fate because I cannot imagine working for another pet sitting company after coming on board with Happy Paws. Our company is so professional and we have lots and lots of happy, fun pets to care for, as well as many satisfied customers. I tell people all the time how much I love my job. Never is there any office politics, just lots of dog walks and good exercise, playing ball, kitties curled up in my lap, licking, and laughing. What could be better? Before Happy Paws I was busy raising my children. My daughter, Jesse, started High School this year. My son Dean, we call him "Dino" started Middle School this year. Before having children I was a restaurant manager here in Maryland, but I would never consider going back to that because it requires working way too many hours away from home, and because I enjoy the interaction with animals on a daily basis so much!
I am currently owned by Leo the Lion, Leo for short. He is a 2 year domestic "medium" hair cat. He is unique in that he has tufts of hair growing out of his ears and out of the bottoms of his paws. My husband says he's a Hobbit because of the hairy feet thing. Our newest addition is Tinkerbelle, Tink for short. She is a Dilute Calico and 6 pounds full grown. She is the littlest thing with the biggest personality! She is just cute as a button and loves to play. We have only had her for about 3 months and already we couldn't imagine life without her. She is a wonderful addition to our home. Both these cats love when we have K-9 visitors at the house for the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) special that Happy Paws offers. So far they haven't met a dog they haven't gotten along with. Just a year ago in September we lost our beloved "Tootsie", a Black Lab mix. You can see her photo under staff pets along with Tink and Leo. Tootsie lived to a ripe old age of 16! She enjoyed camping and going places with the family more than anything else in life. She always got along with any foster dogs that came through the house. She was such good trainer of orphan pets that passed through our home, and we loved her for that! This is the first time in my life that I have not owned a dog. I just haven't been ready since losing Tootsie, but working at Happy Paws helps fill the void of not having a dog around. Seeing them daily helps me heal, and having them stay for visits at the house helps the whole family heal. We are all pet lovers in our house!
I hope to meet you and your pets some day. I always look forward to meeting a new furry friend!
John
I joined Happy Paws in July of 2007, shortly after moving to Maryland from New Jersey (by way of Wisconsin...but that's a long story!). We were looking for someone who was responsible and loving (that's Happy Paws) to watch after our "mature" Golden Retriever, Beau, while we went on a camping trip to Maine. Beau ended up joining us on the trip (and had a blast, as did we), but I ended up beginning a "second career" doing something that I loved...spending a good part of every day with dogs and cats.
I am "retired" from a career in the Footwear and Apparel industry, primarily in the IT and Sales Support areas. After spending over 25 years with a women's footwear manufacturer/importer in Maine, and over 8 years with a footwear and apparel company in New Jersey, I consulted, in the Sales Technology area with apparel and footwear companies, primarily in New York, for a couple years. Then I heeded the beckoning of my oldest (of three) daughters to stay with her for a while and help out with her two sons, my grandsons. That was over two years ago, and during that period I decided that the time was right to "retire" and spend my leisure time enjoying my grandsons, playing golf (which I love), and, eventually, watching after the many dogs and cats that I have come to love.
Beau, our 14-year old (but still spry) Golden Retriever, has adopted me as his "Grampy" as much my grandsons have, and we are now the very best of buddies, spending a lot of time together, both awake and asleep. We have toyed with the idea of getting him a "puppy playmate", but so far have not been able to decide what kind of puppy we want. I meet lots of dogs, from Chihuahua's to Labradoodles, and it is difficult trying to decide what breed, and when, to get Beau his playmate. I don't have a favorite...I have not met a dog that I haven't fallen in love with. We have also thought about getting a cat, but Beau had a not-so-friendly relationship with our late kitty, Baxter, and we are hesitant to upset him in his later years. You can see a photo of Beau in the "Our Pets" section of the website...he's the white faced old guy with the twinkle in his eye!
I look forward to meeting you and your pets some day.....as I said above, I have met a lot of dogs and cats over the past couple of years, and I'm sure that your pets will receive the same love and care that all of these pets have received.
Lesa
As a Penn State graduate with an MA in Parks and Recreation & a BS in Environmental Studies from Mercyhurst College, my career consists of a variety of animal-related jobs: veterinary technician asst., wildlife rehabilitator/naturalist, animal control officer, humane educator, and community outreach coordinator at an animal shelter. My previous position working in the City of Alexandria, VA for several years included visits to public & private schools, scouting troops, civic organizations, CFC & CVC events, as well as coordinating efforts to help animals in need through various city agencies/businesses in Alexandria. In addition to pet sitting, I also enjoy direct hands-on work with domestic animals (pet therapy and socialization) & wild animals (volunteer with licensed rehabilitators helping orphaned/injured wildlife).
With exception of my college years, I've never been without pets of some sort (hamsters, dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits). When my last dog, Penny (14-year old Pomeranian), passed away 4 years ago, I didn't adopt another pet because my job/personal schedules were very busy at the time. Besides, I was the Community Outreach Coordinator at an animal shelter, so had 220+ animals to interact with on a daily basis! After 6 1/2 years, I left the shelter position for an internship at a chimpanzee rescue facility, which was segueing into my ultimately pursuit of work in wildlife conservation. Not knowing where my feet will finally land, I avoided adopting a pet. However, the huge void in my life without animals at work or at home helped determine that employment with a great pet-sitting service like Happy Paws would be ideal! It allows me: the opportunity to spend time with other people's pets (my form of pet therapy!) without the responsibility of having my own; to give pets high-level care; and to help out the owners who love them!
Gale Boynton
Hi!
My name is Gale Boynton and I joined the Happy Paws team in May 2009
I work in the public school system as a health technician and live in the Germantown area. I have always had a love for animals and can never remember being without a pet, animals just have
a way of landing on my doorstep. I grew up with my best friend Christy - a black lab; in recent years, I was owned by a Golden Retriever named Nugget, he lived to be 17.
For now, I'm owned by 3 labs: Sweety & Lily ('the girls'), and Tyler. Also, a miniature Aussi mix named Shadow. I tell people that Shadow is my 'rescue dog' -his owners dropped him off for a pet
sit and never returned. Add to this my two cats Rosie and Mr. Blue. You can always find me playing outside with the 'poopskies', working in the garden, or walking. I'm also having fun being a Grandma!
FYI- I'm also a client!
I look forward to meeting you!
Gale :)
Maggie
I am Maggie Stierle, and I joined the Happy paws team in September of 2008. I have loved animals since the day I was born. I have never had a point in my life where I did not have a house full of animals. I have had dogs, cats, mice, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, a duck, I even rescued a beaver. Now I have a chubby, affectionate Beagle named Stanley. I have had him for 8 years, and he really is my baby. I also recently got a little black cat named Sheeba. I rescued her when she was only 4 weeks old, and she could barley walk or eat. Now she is a healthy, people loving cat who runs around the house like a wild woman all day.
I knew that I would have to work with animals
when I grew up. I tried working in an office and a restaurant, but the
only time I have ever been happy is working with animals. I first
started working with animals at a doggie daycare. I grew attached to all
the dogs that came in for daycare everyday, just as I have become very
attached to all the animals that I sit for through Happy Paws. I enjoy
all my clients and their pets, and look forward to seeing them every
week.
Kris
I have been a happy client of Happy Paws since 2001, so much that this spring I decided to join the team! Some background about me: I am from Washington/Annapolis, married to my best friend, have 2 beautiful daughters, live in Bethesda and currently am a stay-at-home mom. When I'm not kid wrangling I also enjoy photography, gardening, running a marathon each year, and traveling whenever possible. I worked for over 10 years in the Art Department at a certain famous, yellow-bordered magazine that no one ever seems to throw out (ha!) so I'm also a science & nature geek, with pride.
I've had cats my entire life and Prettyboy was with me almost 17 years, moving cross country and back without protest. Even my previously cat-indifferent husband was quickly won over by my sweet boy. Shortly after moving to Bethesda we adopted a big-eared kitten we named Gus, whose mama was found on the side of the road by a friend. A year later, just a few weeks before daughter #2 was born, my beloved Pretty died in my arms of heart failure. We were crushed, but we still had young Gus, who these days is a strapping, chatty, extremely smart 9-year old that fears no one and loves to get under the sheets when you're making the bed. A few years ago a friend rescued several kittens from a street drain on a rainy night, and that's how we came to have Monty. He enjoys chasing Gus, daintily drinking bathtub water off his paw, and carrying toys around in his mouth for a solo game of fetch. He's a sweetie and absolutely obsessed with laser lights. Gus and Monty are both featured in the "Our Pets" section of this website. I have been accused of having the coolest cats around, and I have to agree!
Though I've never owned a dog (in high school we had a wonderful Black Lab named Frank), it's not for lack of desire but rather lack of proper time and/or space. Until the stars align, I've got a nephew-dog named Sam plus I tend to love on various dogs in the neighborhood when given the chance. I love animals, as do all the nice folks at Happy Paws. I know firsthand the care and attention they give to pets, and I've always felt 100% secure knowing they were in charge while I went away. Now I have the pleasure of "paying it forward," so I sure look forward to caring for and playing with your animals!
Christina
I joined the Happy Paws Team in May of 2009, and I'm not only an employee, but also a client.
I work as an 8th grade teacher in Montgomery County and am a pet lover. I own three cats (Oliver, Saphire, and Sophia) and a dog (Ginger). They are like my children to me. All of my "babies" are rescued animals. Sometimes I think they own me!! It is wonderful to come home from a long day at work and have all of them waiting to greet me. At least that is what I tell myself, they really just want dinner!! My love for animals and the great service that Happy Paws has been providing for my babies encouraged me to work for the company. My cats are all domestic tabbies, and Ginger is a dachshund/ jack russell terrier mix. When I am not taking care of my pets or client's pets, I enjoy reading, spending time outdoors, and visiting relatives that live fairly close to the area.
