Neighborhoods: Prospect Heights, Park Slope

About me:

I've always been crazy for animals, ever since I was little, probably because as a child I was a bit of an animal myself. Yes, I was one of those "leash kids" and therefore understand the plight of the pooch. Every summer my mother would get a break from her lil wild animal by sending me to visit my family in Chile who lived in rural farm areas. There I had the pleasure of spending my days playing with cows, horses, pigs, chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, turkeys --you name it! I was never fearful of any creature and approached all animals with a sense of awe and wonder which thankfully I continue to possess to this day.

Back home I maintained my own animal menagerie and have over the years cared for a dog, a dwarf rabbit, various minnows, goldfish, and crayfish. When my dog Zorra passed away my mother couldn't deal with the pain of having another dog and instead became a crazy cat lady -- which I say in the most loving way because secretly I am a crazy cat lady in the making. When I still lived at home we had seven cats inside and a whole feral cat colony in our backyard, which even prompted a friend of mine to make a documentary about me and my cats for a school project, something I still find both embarrassing and hilarious!

I didn't get a chance to live with a dog again until I moved into a group house in Washington, DC a year and a half ago where one of the housemates had a Rottweiler named Emma Jane who I absolutely adore and miss dearly. Emma Jane reminded me of how amazing dogs could be and it was around this time that I got introduced to dogwalking professionally. I have really benefited from a job that has allowed me to work with animals, be outside all the time, foster close relationships with my clients, and at the same time allow me to ride my bike all day! Along the way I've made many friends, developed thick skin for strong climates, and even had my picture taken for the local section of The Washington Post newspaper walking pups this past winter. I've made the switch from "Tree City" to "Concrete Jungle" but I knew that I wanted to continue my work with animals! I'm eager and excited to meet you and your furry family members. I promise to always give them the love, attention and affection I've given to every animal I've encountered.

"My name is Andrew Edmondson, manager of Wagamuffin Pet Care in Washington D.C. I am writing on behalf of our former employee Sergio Cea, a loving and responsible dog walker that I would recommend to any employer! During his tenure working with us Sergio very quickly became a favorite of both the management and the clients of our company. He has a personal approach to his work that makes him very easily accessible and his clients always spoke of him as if he was a friend more than just a pet care provider. Whenever clients would call me for scheduling purposes they would often tell me how happy they were with Sergio and how much they enjoyed the notes he would leave after each walk. To this day, months after he's moved away, they still ask about him.
Sergio also always made it easy on us as managers by being well-organized and accountable to his work schedule. He is a smart and easy going person who is open to suggestions and willing to work with the various needs of our company and our dogs. When we had dogs with special or even slightly crazy requests he was humble and accommodating and never needed the kind of hand-holding that other people sometimes do. I always appreciated his ability to self-manage himself and his time and I wish everybody I work with was as well held together!

We were all sad to see Sergio leave the Wagamuffin family but we know he will have an easy time finding fun and exciting opportunities in NYC as fun and exciting people tend to do. If he were ever to move back to D.C. We would hire him back in a heartbeat! I think he would be an excellent addition to any dog walking company."