Last week, Steve Brown spent 40 minutes crouched down shepherding a small blind dog around a freezing cold field.

Next week he’ll be feeding three cats, along with a family of ten urban foxes, and the week after, he could be living in a £10million house in Kensington, feeding treats to a pampered Pomeranian.

It may be a dog’s life but it’s all part of the job description in Steve’s role as a pet sitter.

“It’s interesting,” he admits, “and it really does vary.”

Steve, who is based in Mudeford, Christchurch, has been a pet sitter for the last four years, after jacking in a stressful TV production job in London.

“I’ve always loved animals,” he said.

“I realised I wanted to do something more outdoorsy, less office-based with office politics, something with animals that I could couple with travelling. So, for me, this is great.”

Steve now travels all around the country, house and pet-sitting various animals including cats, dogs, tropical fish, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.

He has also been known to care for a collection of rare orchids.

Many of his “clients” have special needs – such as the blind dog, which also needs to be hand-fed, or a fussy feline who will only take her thyroid tablets if they are wrapped in fresh Parma ham.

Some of the animals have behavioural problems, some are “needy”, and others are just plain pampered.

“Quite often, the people that use us are people that don’t want their dogs to go to kennels,” explained Steve, 45.

“Sometimes the dogs don’t like being with other dogs, they like to stay in their own home.

“In some cases, they just want their dogs to be pampered – you get a lot of really pampered dogs. Sometimes I’ll be sat there with a really pampered Pomeranian on my lap, feeding it treats – other times I’m cleaning up sick.

“It’s a really important thing not to judge because it’s what works for them and what works for the animals.

“Another issue is house security.

Sometimes I stay in homes that are worth £8million, £10million – I was in one in Barton-on-Sea that was worth £3million.

“If they go on holiday and it’s not obvious that there’s someone there, it’s prone to burglars.”

While Steve is self-employed, many of his jobs come through pet sitting feature agencies, including Nina’s Nannies For Pets.

The agency is currently looking for more pet sitters, due to a high level of demand across Dorset.

But it’s not always as glamorous as it sounds, and the role may not suit everyone.

“It’s very rewarding,” said Steve.

“The number one requirement is that you love animals – that goes without saying.

“But you need a strong stomach – faeces and wee and vomit is part of the job at least half the time.

“And you need patience – if you’ve got a difficult dog that needs to be persuaded to eat, or to go for a walk.”

Steve is also CRB checked and has pet sitter insurance, both absolute necessities in the job.

It can also be quite a solitary occupation if you’re based in a country house in the middle of nowhere with a cat that sleeps all day.

“If I know I’m going somewhere with not a great deal to do and it’s winter, I will take lots of books and things like that, said Steve.

“I’ve planned a Spanish trip and I’m learning Spanish – with the dogs. They might be blind, but they can speak perfect intermediate Spanish.”

Many of Steve’s clients are repeat customers, but word is also spreading about the pet sitting service among a diverse range of clients.

“You get high-profile people, you get people that are absolutely minted,” said Steve.

“But I’ve also stayed in a caravan before looking after a beagle. For me, it’s a good job.”