From Philomina (Phil) Rouse…

Aloha.

A love for animals is what brought Johnny and me together.  “Love me, love my dogs”.  At the time, I had two small dogs (Anuenue and Nanikala); Johnny had a dog (Karma), and a cat (Sheep).  Seven weeks after we got married in 2004, we adopted Malina, the first of many dogs we adopted together.  When we moved from Honolulu, Hawaii (my hometown) to Bryan/College Station, Texas (Johnny’s hometown) in 2005, we brought with us our four “daughters”.  (Thirteen-year-old Sheep had died the previous year from cancer).

Since moving to Texas, we have adopted six more dogs, and four potbelly pigs.  Eight of the dogs and the four pigs were rescued.  We both firmly believe and support the efforts of animal rescue organizations, and spaying/neutering pets.

We live on five acres in the country, near Wellborn.  I put food and water out for the wildlife – squirrels, bunnies, deer, and quail – that frequent our property.  I also have bird and hummingbird feeders hanging all around the house, and on the many oak trees around our house.

I received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Washington.  I have been a classroom teacher in Hawaii, and an English teacher in Japan.  I have traveled all over the world.  I have held management positions in state and federal government, the private sector, and non-profits.  At this stage in my life, I am ready to “settle down”…and I don’t mean retire.  My passion is caring for and rescuing animals of all kinds.  And…that is why I started Phil’s Pet Sitting Service.

From Johnny Rouse…

One of the many really good things about growing up in Bryan/College Station is that I had the opportunity of being around animals my entire life.  As a kid, I was constantly bringing home abandoned baby birds, rabbits, squirrels, and skunks (NOT my mom’s favorite).  I loved a delightful, playful female raccoon named Fifi for five incredible years.  And all of this was well tolerated by our two dogs and three cats.

After a 23-year career as a U.S. Army Counter-Intelligence (Special) Agent, I retired as a Chief Warrant Officer.  In my subsequent civilian career, I was the Director of Security at three different museums:  Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project in Seattle, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Growing tired of Hawaii’s population congestion, my wife, Philomina (Phil), and I returned home to Bryan/College Station to live in the country. 

I continue to love animals, and so does Phil, so we decided to offer our love of animals – and our experience in caring for them – to our Brazos County community.  Our Rouse House family includes 10 dogs, four potbelly pigs, two fish, and four chickens.  They are our children…our family.  And we know that you love your pets every bit as much as we love ours.  Phil and I are honored that you are considering us as your potential Pet Sitters.  If selected, we make you this heartfelt promise…

“We will take care of yours - like they are ours”.

And that’s really what all of this is about, isn’t it?