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Join our furry family of dogs, cats and stable next door in Panelia, Finland

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

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    House and Pet Sitting also possible - now I am at home.
    Please get in touch if you would like to try this kind of experience.
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    Help with the furry family is needed from time to time.
    This opportunity will suit a person, family or a couple interested in taking care of my furry family. I am listed on pet/house sitters now from the admins. I prefer to meet in person, before and train you to be with the animals. My very good friend and neighbour is next door to help while I am away. Further info by messages , but my Yoda needs asthma medication daily.

    Summer is amazing time here, time for birdwatching and wild flowers and pleasantly changeable weather, which is not too hot. This area is countryside with fields and forests and slight hills - a river goes through the village. The light in nature is extraordinary in this time of the year. Usually I am present in my home, sometimes I am traveling and looking for work opportunities, visiting my beloved friends over the world.
    My primary concern is for the excellent care of my animals here. One important note as I have come across some problems with this - please check before you come and commit to at least a 5-7 days here, that you are NOT allergic to animals - as here we live with the furry family. You cannot manage the animals, if you are afraid of them either. They are people friendly, yet dogs pull quite bit from time to time while walking, and you need to learn to manage them. My older dog visits us often yet she lives now with my friend. Two others are young male dogs, 3,5 years of age - Australian Cattle Dog - Husky -German Shepherd mixes. My cats are Thai Siamese - Yoda and Thai + Oriental - Zorro. They live inside the house, extended with two catios.

    You need to bring the attitude to adjust, as in summertime there is usually more people here at the same time. We share the space in two storeys. In future summers there may be also a room in the outer building. If you need help with the language, please share this with me, AI generated translations may help, but everything is based on good communication and it is crucial to understand each other. When you confirm your stay, please inform me in good time if your plans change- there are other who are willing to come. No show, or just forgetting to cancel when you are not coming, creates unused opportunity as I cannot get anyone in last minute as replacement. Other interested people made already other plans... you get it, when you think I organize my home to be open to visitors and can take 1-2 or 1 family at the same time. Together we co-create with joy, leave ego issues to deal with your own time. Otherwise you are very welcome to my home and land. We love to meet new people.

    Short sum up of my life and this place I live: I met lovely workawayers on my internship time in Athens, now I have got my degree, my 3 children are grown up and my family is now 3 dogs and two cats. I have this old house from mid 1800's, gardens, outer buildings and a barn in pretty South Western Finland, 130 km from Turku (port & airport) a similar distance from Tampere and approximately 270 km from Helsinki. My place is total countryside, village is 3,5km away and the closest town with railway and bus connection is in Harjavalta, 12 km away. In general this is a place of tranquility and nature. Farmers do their work mostly in September and May.

    I am curious about life and stories of people. Loving becoming what I desire and long for in expressing creativity in my life. My professional skills include various massage techniques, Natural Complementary Medicine, Writing , Content Creation, Translations and Adventure & Wellbeing Travel/ Tourism in wide concept. I am also specialist in Hospitality and Events and people management. I do my own kind of art projects and learn old and new ways of renovation and building skills. So far the kitchen, toilet and living room has been renovated in the last couple of years and many clutter cleaning and more done in the outer buildings - they need more attention. The firewood is always something to do. Sauna project to outside building is waiting to happen.... and upstairs to be turned into summer stay livable room. Barbecue area we already have, terrasse is being build hopefully this summer.

    Lots of bird life, some deer and other wildlife, the little village has river and small rapids and old museum mill. Sea is about 30 min drive away, neighbour friend of mine has horses and chicken. My animals have pen and catios, though the dogs love short & long walks. They are family members and allowed everywhere in the house. One of my cats has mild case asthma and he has easily administered medicine twice a day.

    House has heaps of projects of reno, I use recycled materials and creativity. My budget is low, yet I have many ideas and very eager to learn and curious to experiment. There is little bit of painting on the main house (priority)and some in outer buildings, roofs need repairs (only if this interests someone). There are mosaic/ tiles projects to begin in future though for this summer after finishing the toilet - I rest... maybe also floors sanding & lacquer yet that is more other seasons than summer.
    The house is totally winter livable even now, yet many things need helping hands. The air pump warms downstairs and fireplace upstairs. I have quite a bit room upstairs for even many people to stay. One of the outer buildings has been planned to transform into a loft to and sauna for visitors. I would need help especially during the summertime, as in winter there is less possibility to do any work and my life is about to change to live partially in travel in Europe or North America. I am considering letting my home out as BnB type while I am away - so it will pay its keep in heating cost etc. So low cost renting for visitors maybe in future while I travel.

    Help with garden ( lawn mowing, trimmer, weeding) and aid in renovations, are welcome. I prefer old fashioned methods and sustainable practices, I compost and grow organic. I am certified Natural Therapist and CAM Specialist - as well as masseuse ( it is my part-time profession, so I can do treatments, yet expect to be paid, just to clarify this). When you come I generally pick up from Harjavalta or Pori - both have bus and train stations. Other tours in the neighbouring area, are possible, yet I wish you can participate on the fuel costs, just fair as I studied the last 5 years. I love exploring, trekking, mountains, seaside and more - Van life is one big dream.

    I have traveled heaps around the world, also lived many years in different countries, Luxembourg, Australia, NZ, Italy... then all over Europe and some Asia for backpacking. I have couchsurfed, hosted, travelled and done work exchanges in the past.
    I am bilingual in English-Finnish and have studied also French, Swedish, Italian - and bits of German and other languages.
    I love writing, music, singing too, shaman drum, have an old piano at home, if anyone wants to try to play them...
    And my dad has a guitar to borrow.
    Wishing you all a wonderful travels and smiles when people meet anywhere. Let's change the world to Love not fear. All is One in the Light of Love

    Namaste, Katia

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    House sitting
  • Interests

    Interests

    Sustainability
    Pets
    Culture
    Van life
    Self development
    Movies & TV
    Charity work
    Blogging
    Performing arts
    Writing
    Drawing & painting
    Animals
    Cooking & food
    Gardening
    Languages
    Photography
    Plant care
    Music
    History
    DIY & crafts
    Books
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Camping
    Sailing / Boating
    Mountain
    Outdoor activities
    Water sports
    Hiking
    Cycling
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Sharing stories, food, ideas, creating art and art related within the reno, learning to use recycled materials and build in old- fashioned style with wood. Creating anything. Having the loving company of my sweet animals and most likely also neighbors horses to pat - even riding may an option. I am willing to take the visitors to see the area a bit, seaside, nearby cities, for a small contribution to fuel. In summer there is also quite many festivals relatively close by. I do quite a bit handcrafts, so I can also show and talk about them... Learning languages, taking photographs, observing wildlife...

  • Help

    Help

    People who want to work with their creativity, hands on doing some parts of the reno and or garden projects. Love animals and like walking, even running with dogs. Spending good time together, cooking, sharing stories, long chats or meditation in quietude of nature. Skilled in building, willing to learn, want to see Nordic Spring/Summer and white nights magic. Tell me what you are good at, and lets talk more.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Finnish: Fluent
    French: Intermediate
    Italian: Intermediate
    Swedish: Intermediate
    German: Beginner
    Spanish: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    I am bilingual in Finnish and English - translating from other languages is also possible. Willing to teach and share my passion for languages and cultures, history

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Main house in the first place, outside loft building, when it has been altered to this purpose. Beds and mattresses and rooms are many. Cooking together or as agreed.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    I can pick up from railways, nearby cities, and take to excursion on the near area. Respecting the nature and keeping house welcoming for everyone - I am not super tidy, yet it helps to keep dishes clean after meals and some routines to overall functionality. Vacuum etc when needed, respect host and other people privacy when sharing house together - normal living othervise.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    I have good wifi in the house and even boosting antenna, though nowadays the nearest mast is just a km away. Wifi is good enough to stream movies, so most work is easy to perform.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This is countryside and my land has quite a bit of space, mostly in front of the barn or behind it. There is are plugs for electricity in the barn.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Yes if they can be amicable with dogs and cats

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Shelbie (10 years)

    My sweetie, gentle Mama Dog - she is currently living with my God daughter - yet it is easy to see her here as well - they visit us often

    Zorro (3 years)

    Giant young fellow of a cat - relaxed with huge appetite

    Yoda (6 years)

    My Thai Siamese Clever Boy

    Nugabear (3 years)

    Australian Cattle Dog - German Shepherd - Husky mix sweetie

    Yogibear (3 years)

    Australian Cattle Dog - German Shepherd - Husky mix sweetie

Host ref number: 272516897467

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Learn about the sustainable way of life in Kuusamo, Finland