The Pet Nanny Maine

Gudrun Cobb says that if anyone had told her a couple of years ago that, in the near future, she would no longer work in the corporate world but would instead be "The Pet Nanny" she would have just laughed.

That is, however, the exact direction her life has taken.

In 2005, after working for more than 18 years for two corporations, German-born Gudrun left the corporate life behind. She has now focused her life on a path far from the international customer service and collections arena she has been accustomed to. She has become a nanny to pets.

Gudrun's dog Baxter

She says that her love for animals dates back to her childhood in Germany. Gudrun lived in Taarstedt near a farm and helped with chores that included milking cows. For many years, this owner of a toy miniature pinscher and two cats had informally assisted family and friends by caring for their animals when they were away. While pet sitting for a friend last spring, Gudrun pondered whether pet sitting might work as a business. Soon after, another friend, knowing Gudrun's love of animals, encouraged her to pursue it.

Gudrun began extensive research, liked what she discovered about the potential, and subsequently became "The Pet Nanny."

Gudrun has been trained in pet first aid and pet CPR by the American Red Cross and is a member of Pet Sitters International, from which she receives additional training.

This is an excerpt from an article in the Neighbor's Magazine by Mary Chick

lives in Portland and has worked at a local veterinary hospital for more than six years.

She has a bulldog named Daisy and a kitty named Dewey (pictured at right). She enjoys going to the beach, traveling, shopping and having a good time with friends. She joined the Pet Nanny in 2007.

moved home to Maine in 2007 after time in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and California. She began her dog walking as a K-9 Companion for the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

She resides in Portland with her dog lab/coonhound Bunsen and brother cats Fergus and Doozer - all rescues! (pictured at right). When not vacuuming up all their hair, she is active with the AmeriCorps Alums Chapter of Portland, Maine and the charity based PortSports. Jessica's professional background is in higher education administration and her current projects include fiber arts and re-learning graphic and web design.

is a life long animal lover with a menagerie of rescued pets from around the country (pictured at right). She has a cat from northern Virginia, another from West Virgina, and a third cat and a dog (who thinks he's a cat) from North Carolina. Besides taking care of her four-legged crew she spends time at home with her wonderful little boy - who at two is already an extreme animal lover - and her understanding husband who puts up with the host of strays and rescues that have passed through their home.

lives in Portland and has been a Maine resident for six years. She noticed how animal-friendly Maine was when she moved here, and has lived with and fostered a number of dogs since moving up. Her current companions are Scooter and Mo, her rescue cats (they are an exotic short hair breed, pictured at right).

Besides her love for animals, she also is a licensed real estate agent (www.hannahmac.com) and a professional photographer specializing in architectural and interior photography (www.envisionpix.com).

Not one for the 9 to 5 slog, she finds pet sitting very conducive to her lifestyle and loves how happy the animals are to see her.