Pet sit our golden retriever Oscar and enjoy the slower pace of life near Torres Novas, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to our home in Portugal! 🇵🇹
  
  We are a South African family of 5 living in central Portugal, where we enjoy the slower pace of life, the beautiful countryside and everything this part of Portugal has to offer.
  
  We are looking for a reliable, responsible and animal-loving person (or couple) to stay in our home while we travel to South Africa over December and January.
  
  Our main priority is finding someone who genuinely enjoys spending time with dogs and would be happy to look after our Golden Retriever, Oscar. He is an important part of our family, and we want to know he is in good hands while we’re away.
  
  In exchange for accommodation, we ask that you take good care of Oscar, including feeding him, giving him exercise and companionship, and making sure he is safe and happy. You’ll be able to enjoy our home and use the facilities while experiencing everyday life in Portugal.
  
  We are looking for someone trustworthy, considerate and comfortable taking responsibility for a home and a dog. You have to love dogs!
  
  If you love animals and would enjoy spending some time in the Portuguese countryside, we’d love to hear from you!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Animal Care

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Culture

  

  Team sports

  

  Mountain

  

  Fitness

  

  Cycling

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Photography

  

  Languages

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Animals
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We live in a small village in central Portugal, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Our property has olive trees and orange trees, giving you a little taste of rural Portuguese life and the rhythms of the seasons.
  
  A larger town is about a 10-minute drive away, where you can find shops, cafés, restaurants and other amenities. Having your own car or other transport would be a real advantage, as we won’t be available to provide lifts.
  
  As we’ll be away in South Africa during your stay, this is an independent accommodation exchange rather than a hosted experience. You’ll have the use of our home, Wi-Fi and normal household facilities, with water and electricity provided. We won’t be providing meals, transport or organised activities, so this arrangement would suit an independent person or couple, particularly someone who works remotely and enjoys a peaceful environment.
  
  In exchange, we’re looking for someone responsible who will care for our dog.
  
  If you’d enjoy experiencing everyday life in the Portuguese countryside, with the freedom to explore the surrounding area at your own pace, this could be a lovely opportunity!

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  Help

  The main responsibility will be caring for our Golden Retriever, Oscar. This includes feeding him, going on walks, giving him attention and companionship, and ensuring his safety and wellbeing. We would also ask that you keep the house tidy and treat our home with care.
  
  In exchange, we offer free accommodation in our home, including access to Wi-Fi, the kitchen, television and normal household facilities. We work from home, so Oscar is usually just happy to be with us while we work.
  
  We are looking for someone who genuinely loves dogs, is comfortable caring for a large dog, and would enjoy spending an extended period living in Portugal. Oscar understands Afrikaans, so he would likely understand Dutch and German too. 😅
  
  We may also have additional dogs staying with us for part of this period, depending on our friends’ travel plans. This would be discussed openly and agreed upon in advance.

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  Languages spoken

  Afrikaans: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Dutch: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We offer a comfortable two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. There is a TV room, as well as a separate office with a desk and home gym, making the house suitable for someone working remotely.
  
  Outside, we have a fairly large yard and secure parking on the property. You’ll have access to the house and its facilities throughout your stay, including Wi-Fi, water and electricity.
  
  Food and transport are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own meals and have your own transport.

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  What else ...

  This is an accommodation exchange: we offer our home to someone in return for keeping our lovely Golden Retriever, Oscar, company and ensuring he is well cared for while we’re away.
  
  We are ideally looking for a single person or couple who would enjoy experiencing life in Portugal. We don’t have a strict minimum stay, although it would be ideal to meet in person in early December before we leave, if possible.
  
  We prefer someone who can spend a good part of the day at home and who is happy for Oscar to have company overnight. You won’t need to be home every minute, and our friends and neighbours will also check in on Oscar and the house periodically.
  
  We have three young children, so please expect a lived-in family home with some toys and children’s things around! We simply ask that you treat our home with care and leave it as you found it.
  
  We live in a beautiful region of central Portugal, with convenient access to the A1 motorway connecting Lisbon and Porto. The spectacular beaches of Nazaré, famous for their giant waves, are also within driving distance. Having your own transport is important, as we won’t be available to provide lifts.
  
  If you’re looking for a comfortable home base from which to experience Portugal, love dogs and are happy with a quiet, independent stay, we’d love to hear from you!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have a study, with a standing desk. We are digital nomads, so we think we manage just fine.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have space for a motor home to be parked, if that’s of interest. Access to the house is easy, so use the kitchen and bathrooms.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Oscar

  Our goofy Oscar. He is well trained and obedient. Not allowed on any furniture. Loves water and a walk. Loves a ball, but does not retrieve well. Chipped, very healthy male. Gets along well with other dogs, but dislikes our neighbours cat.

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