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cottageHouse sitting job

Selah

Washington - Wine Country

A taste of farm living in a wildlife preserve.

Picture of House requiring a House and Pet Sitter at House Sitters America, United States
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Dates & location

date_range 7 Aug 2025 - 18 Aug 2025 (1 week 4 nights)

location_on Selah - View map

my_location Washington - Wine Country - Yakima

Our home

I am a retired wildlife biologist. My wife is a retired math teacher. We live in a log house that was part of a large cattle ranch. We have a very large garden, preserve much of our own food and live simply. We have a greenhouse, 2 dogs, chickens, honeybees, and abundant wildlife.
The 1,100 square foot house was constructed about 100 years ago out of massive Douglas fir logs. It was part of a large cattle ranch. It has undergone significant upgrades including new roof, new floors, new HVAC ... Read moreI am a retired wildlife biologist. My wife is a retired math teacher. We live in a log house that was part of a large cattle ranch. We have a very large garden, preserve much of our own food and live simply. We have a greenhouse, 2 dogs, chickens, honeybees, and abundant wildlife.
The 1,100 square foot house was constructed about 100 years ago out of massive Douglas fir logs. It was part of a large cattle ranch. It has undergone significant upgrades including new roof, new floors, new HVAC system and new appliances (refrigerator dishwasher, range, washer and dryer). The kitchen was remodeled within the last ten years and the bathroom was remodeled within the last year. The fenced two-acre property lies within the boundaries of an 800-acre federal wildlife preserve containing Wenas Creek/Yakima River confluence. This part of Washington State is very dry with very hot summers and cold winters. Yakima County is primarily agricultural producing nearly 80 percent of the world's hops, much of the nation's apples and wine grapes. There are many excellent breweries and wineries in the area. The Cascade Mountains start about 20 miles to the west and offer excellent skiing, hiking and vistas. This wildlife preserve borders the 100,000-acre L.T. Murray wildlife area. The 30-mile Skyline Trail starts about a mile from the house and follows the Yakima River Canyon reaching as much as 2,000 feet above the river in places. Great spring wildflower viewing. Property is 15 miles north of the city of Yakima and 130 east of Seattle.
Dogs sleep in the bedroom (so they don't bark at night) get up around 7:00 am and are fed breakfast. There is a dog door which they can have free access to during the day but locked at night. Dinner is at 5:00 pm. They have plenty of beds in the house. They are very spoiled.
Chickens are let out of the coop in the morning and given scratch and a dish of food. They put themselves to bed at night but the coop door needs to be closed at dusk.
Garden may need to be watered once.
Water house plants about once a week.
Pick up mail and paper.
Make sure driveway gate is closed at all times.
Fireplace is ok to use but don't split wood on hearth.
Honey-bees need feeding but we can arrange for someone to do that.

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sell Wanted
Free House Sitter

favoriteWhat we love about our area

The quiet. We live over a mile from the nearest paved road. Although there are houses visible the area is very quiet especially at night.
The view. Our back deck overlooks Wenas Creek and the Yakima River. Abundant wildlife with a pair of nesting red-tailed hawks we have been following for years.

View house featureskeyboard_arrow_up

cabinHouse type:House

local_laundry_serviceFeatures

Wifi, Garage, BBQ, Air conditioner, Dishwasher, Smoke alarms, Chemical-free home

accessibleHome accessibility

External stairs / steps, Steep driveway / walkway

landscapeLocale

Country

near_meNearby

Supermarket, Restaurants/Cafes, Pubs/Bars

Our pets

DogsDogs (2)
Chickens/Ducks/GeeseChickens/Ducks/Geese (10+)
We have 2 fenced acres and a dog door so our girls have free access to the outdoors. They are large dogs weighing around 80 pounds each. They only need to be kept watered and fed twice a day.
The chickens are in a fenced yard and only need to be let out of the coop in the morning and fed and watered. They will put themselves to bed at night and then just need to have the coop door closed.
We have honeybees that will require no attention.

Our garden

local_floristGarden or plant care

Average - We have a large garden that will require irrigation. Most of the garden plots are irrigated with a gravity system which will require just changing valves. other garden beds are watered automatically.
There is no lawn.

About us

person Jon

Trust

account_circleMember since May 2023

Important info

videocamSecurity/Pet Cameras:

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directions_carCar available:Yes

petsPets welcome:No

smoking_roomsSmoking permitted:No

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