Bob Boulier’s life has gone to the dogs.

Literally.

In 1994, the Belfast man offered to watch a friend’s dog for two months for free. He has never looked back, and now the professional pet sitter says that a dog-free day is a rare one.

“There were 10 days last summer when I wasn’t at someone else’s home,” the mild-mannered fellow recently revealed. “Most of the time I really like it. I really like the animals.”

Boulier, 43, is part of a growing phenomenon and budding enterprise in Maine. Pet owners reluctant to pack Fido or Kitty away in a kennel, and unable or unwilling to ask family or friends to look after their pets for nothing, are paying for someone to stay in their home or check in on a scheduled basis. Fees are negotiated ahead and pet owners can take some comfort in the knowledge that their animals are being fed, watered and looked in on.

Debbie Hockensmith and Carol Good of Belfast say they have peace of mind when Boulier looks after Tripod, a three-legged beagle mix, and Zo-E, a large black Labrador, when they go out of town.

“I’m totally at ease,” Hockensmith said. “Kennels are great because they’re staffed, but knowing the dogs are in their own space – I don’t have any worries.”

Good and Hockensmith appreciate that Boulier can be counted on and the fact he possesses a Red Cross certificate in pet first aid.

On a recent visit with Tripod, Boulier sat in a comfortable chair and cuddled the beagle mix close to him. It was easy to see the pet sitter has become a cross between a family friend and a family member.

Boulier stroked the dog’s fur, and smiled, sending the pet into a pleasure-induced, comalike state.

“When Uncle Bob comes over, he’s like a pet rock,” Hockensmith observed, looking at the blissed-out Tripod. Like many Maine pet sitters, Boulier hasn’t given up either of his two day jobs. He sometimes finds it challenging to balance his pet-sitting duties with his full-time position at a local hardware store and a part-time gig delivering wine in the midcoast area.

Like Boulier, most Maine pet sitters, numbering in the hundreds, have other livelihoods. One Bangor couple, however, is gearing up to pet sit full time.

Paul and Laurie Stevenson have watched animals informally for a year and a half.

“We discovered there was a need in the area and a lot of people are interested in having their pets cared for in their homes,” Paul Stevenson said. “It’s less stress on their pets.”

The Stevensons care for critters all over southern Penobscot County. The couple has looked after fish, farm animals, birds and one pet python in addition to the usual cats and dogs. They do not sleep at the pet owner’s home, but will bring in the mail and newspapers and turn lights on and off.

Dogs, Stevenson said, typically require three 20-minute visits daily. He said cats generally get one.

“We tailor our service to their needs,” he said. “Some pets like to be petted more. Some like to play catch, some like to play chase around the yard, or tug-of-war. We try to make pets feel comfortable at home while waiting for their owners to come home.”

The Stevensons offer a discount for multiple pets in the same household.

“We’re doing quite well,” he said. “It’s growing every day. We’re getting calls all the time. A lot of it is word of mouth now.”

The Stevensons are certified pet sitters, which required doing coursework and passing a long test with questions about pet first aid and how to manage an emergency pet situation.

The couple is enjoying their new line of work despite occasional pet emergencies, scooping dog’s messes into plastic bags and the occasional python.

“We’re animal lovers,” Stevenson said. “We got into this business because we enjoy it.”

Boulier is extremely discreet both about his clientele and what he charges them.

“It’s such a small town, I have to be fair,” he said.

One Sunday afternoon in Belfast, Boulier had only one dog to care for. He packed the trunk of his roomy Lincoln Town Car with the tricks of his trade, including his own washcloths, towels, toilet paper, baggies, umbrellas, leashes and dog biscuits. He drove a few miles out of town and pulled up to a whimsically decorated house surrounded by gardens. He parked and found a house key labeled “Dylan,” a corgie, the only family member at home.

“Dylan has me wrapped around all four of his paws and he knows it,” the pet sitter said. “He’s pretty much my favorite.”

After dropping a cup of food into Dylan’s bowl, Boulier and the corgie began their playtime ritual. He took a bright orange frisbee from his car and tossed it to Dylan, who ran after it, his tiny legs pumping like pistons.

“He just can’t get enough,” Boulier said. “Can you, Dyllie?”

He threw the frisbee at the dog, who leaped for it but missed, tumbling paws over tail several times.

The two got into a rhythm that lasted until Boulier had had enough of the black flies.

“His owners periodically have to hide the frisbee because he just gets obsessed with it,” the pet sitter said.

Inside, Dylan scrambled up the stairs to retrieve a tennis ball and returned to play a form of indoor catch with his minder. The dog looked happy as he excitedly raced around the kitchen.

“I have a secret,” Boulier said. “Love and attention. It works every time. … I’m not at the home to balance a checkbook, polish the floor, do the gardening. I’m there to focus on the dog and that’s what I do.”

Bob Boulier can be reached at 338-9735. Paul and Laurie Stevenson can be contacted at 299-7285. Other area pet sitters can be found on various Web sites including www.petsitterportal.com and www.petsit.com. Abigail Curtis can be reached at 667-9395 and acurtis@bangordailynews.net.

Pet sitting tips

. Request and check pet sitter’s references.

. Sitter should visit the client’s home before the first assignment to meet the pets and get details about their care.

. Leave a prominent note including travel itinerary, contact information, veterinarian contact and pet’s medical and dietary needs.

. Decide ahead whether pet sitter can have friends in your home while you are away.

. Give pet sitter a head’s up if any workmen or visitors are expected during your absence.

. If travel plans change, let the pet sitter know as soon as possible.