{"id":308461,"date":"2025-10-08T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlslife.com\/?p=308461"},"modified":"2026-01-12T12:42:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T17:42:25","slug":"the-ultimate-pet-sitting-survival-guide-inspired-by-jessi-ramsey-pet-sitter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/books\/308461\/the-ultimate-pet-sitting-survival-guide-inspired-by-jessi-ramsey-pet-sitter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Pet-Sitting Survival Guide, Inspired by Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Two<\/a>Welcome back to our Bestie Book Club\u2014a community for book lovers from\u00a0<\/b>Girls\u2019 Life<\/i><\/b>\u00a0magazine.<\/b><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new here, hello! Here\u2019s how this works: Each month, we read, discuss and obsess over a new book. If you haven\u2019t already, be sure to follow us on\u00a0TikTok<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/b><\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0Bestie Book Club<\/b> updates, fun reading challenges, amaze giveaways and so much more!<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

You’d think taking care of adorable animals would be easy, right? Try juggling snakes, hamsters and one very talkative parrot…all in the same weekend. That’s exactly what goes down in our latest Bestie Book Club read, Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>when beloved BSC member Jessi takes charge of a full-blown pet-sitting service while the rest of the club is out of town. But what starts as a good deed for her neighbors spirals into a circus of escaped reptiles, under-the-weather hamsters and muddy paw prints galore.<\/p>\n

We asked a few of our Bestie Book Club members to share their own tales from the leash\u2014plus their funniest animal adventures, best pet care tips and what Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter<\/em><\/a> taught them about responsibility (and resilience).<\/p>\n

RELATED: Ever dreamed of creating a graphic novel? This Baby-sitter\u2019s Club<\/em> illustrator spills on what it takes<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Every great sitter knows no job is too small, especially when it comes with four paws and a wagging tail.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a little dog who\u2019s basically my shadow,\u201d says GL <\/em>Book Bestie Shelia\u2019Celine<\/strong>.<\/a> \u201cHe follows me everywhere, and half the time, he thinks he\u2019s a human, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

In Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter<\/em><\/a>, Jessi quickly finds out that managing a house of pets isn’t all that different from managing a house of kids. There are feedings to track, medicines to give and a whole lot of cleanup to handle. It\u2019s not glamorous, but it\u2019s the kind of experience that builds major trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cPets depend on you for everything,\u201d Shelia\u2019Celine adds. \u201cThey teach you to be patient, keep a schedule and put someone else\u2019s needs before your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Hey, Besties! What\u2019s your dream pet-sitting gig?<\/h3>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love to pet-sit an entire farm! It\u2019d be a lot of work but so much fun.\u201d \u2014 Danika &<\/strong> Delaney B.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA unicorn for sure! I\u2019d braid its mane, feed it glitter snacks and ride it through the sky.\u201d \u2014 Shelia\u2019Celine<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely an otter. They\u2019re playful and adorable.\u201d \u2014 Kira M.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Jessi\u2019s biggest challenge? Keeping all her furry (and scaly!) clients safe and happy while the BSC\u2019s usual sitters are out of town. And, ofc, things get hectic fast.<\/p>\n

GL <\/em>Book Besties Danika & Delaney B.<\/strong><\/a> can relate. \u201cOnce, our mom opened the door and our puppy Rita snuck out,\u201d says Delaney. \u201cWe had to chase her around the neighborhood!”<\/p>\n

“It was terrible at the time, but looking back now, it\u2019s funny to picture us running like crazy trying to catch her,\u201d Danika adds.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>
\nEven the most organized sitter (yep, even Jessi!) knows that things don\u2019t always go to plan. But as every good pet watcher learns, those unpredictable moments are where the real lessons happen.<\/p>\n

“I’ve learned to never take my eyes off my dogs when I’m watching them.” explains\u00a0GL <\/em>Book Bestie Makenzie M.<\/a><\/strong> “They want (and deserve!) as much attention as you would give your friends and family because they *are* family.”<\/p>\n

The trick? Practice patience, problem-solving and, most importantly, keeping your cool when things get messy. And that\u2019s exactly what Jessi discovers: Staying calm under pressure doesn\u2019t just make you a better pet-sitter, it makes you a better friend, teammate and BSC member.<\/p>\n

\n

Hey, Besties! What\u2019s the funniest \u201coops\u201d moment you\u2019ve ever had with a pet?<\/h3>\n

\u201cMy dog once snagged a bag of chips when no one was looking and ran around the house with it. Like he was going to plop down on the couch and watch TV and just wanted a snack.\u201d \u2014 Shelia\u2019Celine<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMy dog bolted out of the house, and I had to run up and down the street for hours<\/em> to catch her. She thought it was a game of tag!\u201d \u2014 Kira M.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMy dog decided it would be a good idea to jump on the bed as I was making it. I didn’t notice she was under the blanket until I was putting the pillows on, and I saw a lump moving around at the foot of the bed!\u201d \u2014 Makenzie F.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

In Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter<\/em><\/a>, what starts as one small favor turns into a weekend of pure pet mayhem. By the end, Jessi\u2019s not just keeping animals fed\u2014she\u2019s running a whole operation. From making feeding charts to calling the vet, Jessi takes control when things get tough, proving she\u2019s not just the youngest BSC member, but also one of the most capable.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a lesson every pet-sitter (and pet owner) can relate to: Real responsibility isn\u2019t about perfection. It\u2019s about patience and heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of work, but there\u2019s so much love in return,\u201d says GL <\/strong><\/em>Book Bestie Kierney D.<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u201cYou always have to think of your pet\u2019s needs first.\u201d<\/p>\n

GL<\/em> Book Bestie Kira M.<\/strong><\/a> agrees. \u201cWhen I\u2019m tired and don\u2019t want to brush my dog, I remind myself she needs my help,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s a much bigger job than I thought at first. But it’s totally worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Like Jessi, our Bestie Book Club readers have learned that being dependable means showing up\u2014even when it\u2019s hard, messy or way more work than expected. Because whether you\u2019re watching your neighbor\u2019s cat or running your own mini pet-sitting business, caring for someone else (furry or not) teaches you something major about growing up.<\/p>\n

Like all great BSC stories, this one\u2019s about more than jobs and paychecks. It\u2019s about growing up, trusting yourself and taking responsibility even when it\u2019s not easy.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re helping a neighbor, caring for your own pet or running a mini-sitting empire like Jessi, remember: Responsibility and compassion go paw in paw.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Heading out for your first gig? Take a cue from Jessi Ramsey and don\u2019t leave home unprepared. Pet-sitting might sound like all cuddles and cuteness, but when things get messy (and they will<\/em>), having the right gear makes all the difference.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Our Bestie Book Club readers shared their must-haves for a smooth sit:<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc3e Treats and toys:<\/strong> Happy pets = easy shifts.
\ud83d\udc36 Water and snacks: B<\/strong>ecause walks and playtime work up an appetite (for you and<\/em> them).
\ud83d\udc3e Your phone:<\/strong> For quick check-ins, adorable photo updates and, yes, emergency calls.
\ud83d\udc36 Wipes and poop bags:<\/strong> Trust us, muddy paws happen (and, um, so does other stuff).<\/p>\n

Bonus tip straight from Jessi\u2019s playbook: Always jot down each pet\u2019s feeding schedule, medications, vet contact and favorite toys before your first day. Because when you\u2019re prepped, calm and confident, even a whole menagerie feels totally manageable.<\/p>\n

\n

Want to get involved with our Bestie Book Club? Here\u2019s how\u2026<\/p>\n

SOLO.<\/strong> Snag your copy of Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and get ready to dive into the wild world of the Baby-sitters Club\u2014where every gig (and every pet!) comes with a lesson in responsibility, friendship and fun.
\nON SOCIAL MEDIA.<\/strong> Connect with us @glbestiebookclub<\/strong> and find your fellow BSC fans and animal lovers. Share your funniest pet-sitting stories, cutest pet pics and favorite moments from the book using #BestieBookClub<\/strong>.
\nWITH YOUR SQUAD.<\/strong> Gather your crew for a BSC-style hangout. Host a mini book club (bonus points for snacks shaped like dog bones), swap pet stories and see which sitter\u2014Jessi, Claudia, Kristy or Mary Anne\u2014your friends are most like.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to our Bestie Book Club\u2014a community for book lovers from\u00a0Girls\u2019 Life\u00a0magazine. If you\u2019re new here, hello! Here\u2019s how this works: Each month, we read, discuss and obsess over a new book. If you haven\u2019t already, be sure to follow us on\u00a0TikTok\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram\u00a0for\u00a0Bestie Book Club updates, fun reading challenges, amaze giveaways and so much more! […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1820,"featured_media":308477,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[293,302,305,283],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-308461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books","category-bestie-book-club","category-get-inspired","category-life"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1820"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=308461"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308461\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/308477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=308461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=308461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=308461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}