Throughout my teen years, I was the go-to pet sitter on our street. When neighbors went out of town, I fed their pets, walked dogs, mowed the lawn, cleaned the house, watered plants, and took in the mail.
Being a teen pet sitter might sound like a small job. But as any pet parent knows, you have to trust your pet sitter, and you wouldn’t hand over your house key to just anyone. I feel honored they chose me. Little did I know, those early jobs were teaching me in ways that continue to guide my work today.
Fluffy’s Waiting
It all began with a Shetland sheepdog named Fluffy. She would often stop to greet me on her daily walks. I became such a fan that when Fluffy’s family was going out of town, they asked if I wanted to pet sit for a little extra cash. Of course, I said yes.
I had a great time walking down the street several times a day to check on Fluffy, walk her, feed and water her, and make sure everything was all right. She was always waiting at the door, prancing in greeting, tail wagging. I had the best time playing with her and enjoyed carrying a sense of responsibility, that someone was trusting me to do a reliable job.
I made sure to show up at the right times and not miss one detail. Went beyond my instruction list to be sure Fluffy felt well cared for. I knew she missed her family, so I wanted to make sure she felt safe and settled in their absence.
Word spread, and before long, I was tending to other pets, with cleaning and yard care tasks added in for extra pay. I had never used a push mower before. My mom taught me how. She also showed me how best to navigate mowing around the small trees that dotted one neighbor’s backyard.
As I got busier, I had to learn how to handle multiple jobs, scheduling them in the way that made most sense. The jobs came with challenges: pets that needed timely medication, weather delays on yard care, cleaning up after a pet got sick in the house. I learned to be flexible and take it all in stride.
At one house, the job came with a bonus—swimming in the neighbor’s pool when the work was done. My mom had to chaperone—wise decision—but I was allowed to bring a friend. Her mom came too, so the two moms visited while my friend and I enjoyed the pool. Not a bad way to end a summer workday.
This work went on for multiple teen summers. By the time each summer was over, I had saved up money for a new outfit, a few favorite books and 45 rpm vinyl records, and treats at the 7-Eleven convenient store for the upcoming school year.
While I didn’t see it at the time, part of what I gained were skills and a work ethic that helped me stay organized and focused during school days as well. Those skills would follow me beyond school and throughout my professional life.
Skills those Summer Jobs Built
While I was having fun pet sitting and lawn mowing, and enjoying a new sense of responsibility, I didn’t realize I was also acquiring lifelong skills:
- Reliability and trust: I had a pet of my own, a tabby cat named Taffy. I knew pets had to be well cared for, so I took my pet sitting responsibilities seriously. I wanted my neighbors’ pets to be safe and to be shown affection and attention, just like I wanted Taffy to be safe and to receive attention and affection.
- Attention to detail: I had to pay attention to every pet’s well-being and environment, making sure all was well, they were acting normally, and they had everything they needed. I kept an eye out for any potential problems, making sure a dog wasn’t digging through the garbage or chewing on a chair leg out of boredom. I also made sure to keep the home neat and tidy.
- Time management: Taking care of pets in multiple households, giving medication to pets on a timetable, and getting yard care in before afternoon thunderstorms, I learned how to manage a schedule and deadlines.
- Adaptability: I learned how to honor each neighbor’s unique set of instructions, specific pet care needs, and cleaning and yard care style. Recognizing how much each family’s pets and home meant to them, I understood the importance of being on the same page and valuing what mattered most to them.
- Clear communication: Taking care of different pets and homes required careful listening up front, asking clarifying questions, reviewing instructions, making notes, and setting clear expectations. I also had to keep clients informed, know when to contact them and why, and update them on anything they needed to know as they returned home.
Every one of those skills and the lessons I learned prepared me for the jobs that followed and the work I love today.
Lessons that Still Guide Today
Looking back, I can see how much those early pet sitting and house care jobs provided lessons that continue to shape my work today. Back then, neighbors counted on me to take care of their beloved pets and homes while they were away. I learned to show up on time, follow detailed instructions, and communicate if something came up.
I also learned to pay attention: Had the dog torn through the neighbor’s clothes closet out of boredom? Was a stressed cat scratching on the rug? I made sure to tend to those details on each visit.
Those early habits of showing up and paying attention turned into lifelong rhythms I still rely on in my work. Whether I’m coaching writers through the ups and downs of finishing a book, editing a writer’s treasured manuscript, ghostwriting in someone else’s voice, or creating clear, engaging content to help companies and their clients, I keep foremost in mind the commitment to reliability, attention to detail, and respect for what’s important to others.
Showing up, caring, and following through are important in every endeavor. I’m grateful for the neighbors and pets that helped me learn how to apply those ideas early on. Those guidelines became my foundation.
Encouragement for Young Job Seekers
If you’re just starting out, be encouraged that any job has the potential to teach and develop lifelong skills. Reliability, attention to detail, time management, adaptability, communication: each of those skills will continue to help you grow and do good work throughout your life.
Value and embrace the opportunities that open up for you, even if it’s helping neighbors right down the street. You’ll cherish the memories and appreciate the foundation as you grow into your career.
Who knew that walking dogs, watering plants, and mowing lawns as a teen would prepare me for the work I love today? Every job, no matter how small it seems at the time, can shape who you become and how you serve others.
If you’re in a season of small steps, keep going. They matter more than you think.
Janet Eriksson 