From Police Work to Period Homes - Turning Retirement into Adventure

When Sue (66) and David Hobson (75) said goodbye to their beloved Jack Russell of 17 years in early 2017, they weren’t ready for another dog, but they weren’t ready to give up animal companionship either.

Both are former police officers – Sue serving eight years and David 30 years – before David later went on to work 16 years as a civil servant. Now also serving as a councillor, Sue, alongside David, was adjusting to a new chapter of retirement as part of the Derbyshire couple.

Then Sue spotted an article in a magazine for retired police officers about homesitting. They applied together, attended an interview, and completed their first assignment in October 2017, caring for five English Pointers in a beautiful house with its own grounds in Lyme Regis.

“We didn’t want the full-time responsibility of another dog,” Sue explains. “Homesitting gives us our doggy fix - and more - without the long-term commitment.”

Nearly nine years on, they typically complete four to six homesits a year, usually lasting a week at a time. Their travels have taken them to West Sussex, Norfolk, Shropshire, Warwickshire - including a last-minute Boxing Day booking last year for a mischievous six-month-old basset hound and a cocker spaniel.

Homes range from spacious four-bedroom houses to multi-million-pound properties with staff, security systems, swimming pools, tennis courts, and fully equipped gyms.

“It’s not about the money,” David says. “It’s a modest boost to the pension at best. The real reward is the experience - the variety, the animals, and the opportunity to explore new places. Every sit is different, and it keeps life interesting.”

“It works because we’re a team and we get to spend the time together,” says David. “There’s shared responsibility. If an alarm goes off in the night, I’ll deal with it. We support each other, and homeowners really value that.”

The animals have also been unforgettable. Alongside dogs and cats, from whippets to energetic English Pointers, they’ve cared for tortoises, hamsters, an African snail, and even a 36-year-old donkey in the Cotswolds who needed daily hoof cleaning and protective boots putting on.

“That donkey was wonderful,” David recalls. “Donkeys are sociable animals, and I enjoyed spending time with him each day. I’d brush him for ages.”

Many homesits come with complex routines and medication schedules, which the couple follow meticulously. “You must stick to the rules,” Sue says. “People are trusting you with their home and their animals. It’s a huge responsibility.”

Some of the properties they stay in are exceptionally grand, and homeowners often encourage them to make themselves completely at home. “They tell us to use everything,” Sue laughs, “but we’ve actually started bringing our own inexpensive wine glasses with us! We’d hate to break anything valuable.”

During the day, Sue and David like to stay active, exploring local caf?s, enjoying countryside walks with the dogs, and visiting nearby National Trust properties.

In the evenings, they relax in what are often truly impressive surroundings, sometimes playing tennis or going for a swim if these facilities are available, but just as often unwinding in front of the television, making the most of the state-of-the-art entertainment systems many homeowners have installed.

For the Hobsons, homesitting is about more than travel. It’s the responsibility and purpose and getting out of their usual routine. They’ve met homeowners who have become friends, explored corners of the country they might never have visited, and found purpose in retirement.

“It gives us something to do, keeps us busy, and every sit is different,” says David. “If you’re fit, active, and love animals, it’s a privilege to do.”

Sue agrees: “It’s a wonderful role. You’re trusted with people’s homes, possessions and pets, you’re working together, and it keeps life full of variety and adventure.”