Pet Pal Amsterdam

07/05/2026

Remembering the ones we’ve lost

Pet sitting might be a sideline for me, but it’s always been more than that. Growing up with dogs all my life, it was a way for me to feel “home” again. In looking after them, I didn’t just find pets; I formed real relationships with the dogs and their owners. This post is a tribute; a remembrance of their quirks, their unique characters, and the brief time we spent together

Findik: A senior dog who, despite his mobility slowing down, was still so friendly and active in his own way. He actually taught Leo how to be a dog! He was happiest outside, sniffing the grass and just breathing in the fresh air.

Rennie: He was our regular. He was so deaf that you could literally vacuum right in his face and he’d never wake up. He had the best quirks, sudden bursts of energy to play, and he loved nothing more than sniffing other dogs’ butts.

Neca: A senior soul who was just “zen.” She was so content just walking alongside you and was always ready for a Puppuccino. Such an easy, friendly girl.

Teddy: A rescue with a terrible past. Even though he had a hard time trusting people—especially men—he was one of the sweetest, fluffiest, and friendliest pups. He just needed a little extra understanding and patience.

Lucy: Another senior I used to house-sit for. She was so feisty and independent she had her own daily walking route—she didn’t even need a leash. She knew her way, the neighborhood knew her, and she owned those streets.

All these dogs were so deeply loved and lived the lives they deserved. They say grief is the price we pay for love, and I guess that’s something we are all willing to pay. ❤️

19/03/2026

Wrapping up a trip to Sri Lanka with a heart full of stories—some tougher than others.

While there’s still a long way to go in terms of a national effort to manage the stray animal population, seeing the work of private organizations on the ground has been incredibly moving. In Colombo, it’s encouraging to see so many dogs already spayed and neutered, but in rural areas, the challenge is on a different scale.

I spent some time with two amazing teams doing great efforts:

📍 Ella: Visited They are doing everything they can for the local strays—providing medical care, spay and neuter, and working tirelessly to find them forever homes, even overseas.

📍 Unawatuna: Checked out the They have a massive sanctuary of about 2 acres for dogs that can’t survive on the streets. For those who can, they provide medical care, vaccinations, and free spay/neuter services and release them back to the streets. Their initiative to include the local community by incentivizing the most disadvantaged by providing a monthly stipend to foster and look after dogs — which then opens up space in the shelter for other dogs in need. It’s a total win-win that supports both the animals and the people who need it most.

These shelters run almost entirely on the kindness of donors and the community. It’s a reminder of how much of an impact a small group of dedicated people alongside the community can have. If you’re ever in the area, please go visit or support them if you can!

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas from our Christmas crew 🐶 🎄

08/12/2025

📦✨ Pet Pal AMS is moving!

We’re excited to share that we’ll be relocating to Osdorp by the end of the month.

While our home base is changing, our commitment to your pets stays exactly the same.
New home for us, but the same heart for your pets. ✨🐶

We’ll continue caring for your fur babies with the same love, attention, and reliability — just from Osdorp.

Thank you for supporting us through this new chapter! 💛

10/06/2025

DINKWAD ❤️

Thank you .nl.fotografie for taking these photos ✨

07/04/2025

Hey everyone! I’ve been loving Kindred, the house swapping app—it’s a great way to travel affordably and stay in real homes. It’s an awesome option to save money on trips and super pet-friendly too! I’ve got a referral code for anyone interested: It’ll give you 5 free credits to get started (that’s 5 nights!). Let me know if you have any questions about how it works!

Use my code to get 5 free nights once you’re accepted: eli.jan1

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06/03/2025

Snowy Winterberg getaway! ❄️ Our dog Leo loved his first snow experience, made even more fun with our pet sitting buddy Teddy joining us.

29/10/2024

We try to bring Leo with us every time we travel, even if it means taking the train and risking delays. He’s already been to Budapest, Vienna, Copenhagen, Prague, and Germany! Traveling is so much more enjoyable when he’s with us, and seeing him happy makes it all worthwhile!

11/09/2024

10/07/2024

Thank you for the continous trust and support! ❤️🐶