Meet Marguerite | Dog Sitter & Dog Reiki

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marguerite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marguerite, what makes you happy? Why?
DOGS! They bring so much joy with their pure presence and unconditional love. Being around them genuinely opens my heart. I’m the person who can’t resist stopping you on the street to ask if I can pet your dog, and I’m always secretly hoping a service dog will be seated next to me on a plane. Their companionship is truly unmatched.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In my late 20s and early 30s, I worked seasonally as a barista at a café in my hometown on Long Island. During that time, I got to know many of the regulars, including patrons who brought their dogs while grabbing their to-go orders. Those encounters always brightened my day and often sparked conversations about dog sitting. Occasionally, I would dog sit or do drop-in visits for some of them.

When I eventually moved to California, I thought dog sitting might be something I could continue if needed. About a year after relocating to Los Angeles, I began working for a woman who owns a successful dog sitting business in Malibu. I can’t recall how we first connected, but it felt meant to be. I became one of her sitters, taking on clients in Malibu as my schedule allowed. Today, we still refer clients to each other when one of us is booked.

After gaining enough experience and realizing how rewarding and lucrative the work could be, I started building my own dog sitting clientele in Los Angeles and Malibu. Now, I primarily focus on North Malibu, though a member of my small team occasionally takes jobs in LA.

What sets Fetch-a-Sitter apart? First, I also offer Dog Reiki—both on-site and remote—for dogs in pain, transitioning, or simply in need of extra care. Providing Reiki is one of my greatest joys. Many of my sessions have been remote, especially for dogs nearing the end of their time in the physical realm. These experiences are deeply emotional and profoundly beautiful, even if I have never met the dog.

Additionally, Fetch-a-Sitter delivers top-notch customer service. Homes are kept clean and tidy, photos and updates are shared as clients prefer, and most importantly, dogs are treated like royalty. While dog sitting might seem easy on the surface, my team and I take it very seriously because we care so much.

The work does come with challenges—moving in and out of homes frequently and adjusting to the unique needs and personalities of each dog. We continuously adapt, staying calm even when faced with high-energy dogs or those requiring special care, like administering medications. Though some might think dog sitting is like a vacation, the reality is quite different. It demands mental energy to learn the nuances of each home, follow routines, and ensure the dog’s safety and well-being. We are essentially adjusting our daily routine for theirs. Ultimately, we are responsible for their lives, and we take that role to heart.

The dogs, in turn, adore us. While they know we aren’t their owners, they revel in the love and attention from their new best friends during our time together.

With Fetch-a-Sitter, you get what you pay for: exceptional service, genuine care, and lots of love. In my 10+ years of dog sitting, I’ve never received a single complaint—either about myself or anyone on my team—and I’m committed to maintaining that standard. I truly love my clients and their dogs, and the mutual respect and trust make this work so fulfilling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in Los Angeles for almost 10 years. I have lived on the east side, on the west side, and now in Malibu. I like to do a little bit of everything. Below is my list in categories.

Activities ::
Malibu Wine Hikes – I used to work as a hike guide for this company and absolutely loved it! You can enjoy a guided hike on a beautiful ranch in Malibu that is surrounded by vineyards. You also get to do some wine tasting. They also offer 4×4 gator tours and VW bus tours to other local wine stops.

Herbal Tea Ceremony – Catch a public or book a private Herbal Tea Ceremony + Tea Blending experience with ‘Resonating Earth.’

Surf & Paddle Board – Poseidon Paddle & Surf – this surf shop is a small business staple in Santa Monica. It is your one stop shop for surfing, paddle boarding, rentals, lessons & gear. They also serve great coffee and are located right on Ocean Ave by the Santa Monica Pier.

Catch a concert at The Greek or Hollywood Bowl.

Rose Bowl – the second Sunday of every month the Rose Bowl becomes an incredible flea market.

Restaurants ::
The Old Place – they are only open Thursday-Sunday and ideally you make reservations ahead of time so you can sit inside the restaurant which is where all the fun action is. Otherwise, you will have to do window service and sit outside. Regardless, it is still a fun place to visit and off the beaten path located between Malibu and Agoura Hills in a ‘town’ called Cornell.

Gjusta – head here for delicious baked goods or a yummy breakfast/lunch. Based in Venice.

Hatchet Hall – I have only been here once but vividly remember loving absolutely everything, including the ambiance. Definitely one of my best meals in my 10 years in LA. Based in Culver City.

Cole’s French Dip – Known for their pastrami sandwich in Downtown LA. They have a speak easy too in the back.

Drink ::
Cornell Wines – it is right next door to The Old Place. It is primarily a wine bar, but they also have beer, and a small shop. They also have live music Friday nights, Open Mic nights, & Comedy Night.

Hotel Erwin – head straight to the rooftop for their bar and overlook Venice Beach.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel – I absolutely love this hotel. Head to the rooftop for a drink if you don’t stay there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hudson – he was technically my sister’s dog, but quickly became the family dog and passed 2 years ago. He was the absolute best dog our family had the pleasure of sharing our lives with. He was a true, pure soul. We still grieve his passing.

My Fetch-A-Sitter Team – I truly have the best tiny team of dog sitters who care just as much as I do.

My Clients – I love my clients and their dogs. As we all know, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have this business. Thank you for trusting myself and my team with your precious pups!

Website: https://www.fetchasitter.com

Instagram: @FetchASitter