There are moments in this work that stop me cold.

A dog pressing its nose against the window, watching for me. A cat who used to hide under the bed now curling into my lap. A client calling from across the country, voice tight with worry, and hearing the relief wash over them when I say, "Everything is perfect. They're safe. I've got them."

After 17 years, those moments have not gotten smaller. They have gotten bigger. Because I understand now, in a way I could not have when I started, exactly what is at stake in this work — and exactly how much the families who trust me are giving me when they hand over a key to their home and say, "We trust you with the ones we love most."

This post is for them.

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More Than a Business. A Family.

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC was never built to be a transaction. It was built on a belief so simple it almost sounds naive: your pets are not clients — they are family. And family deserves more than a service. Family deserves devotion.

For 17 years, every walk, every overnight stay, every medication administered on schedule, every enrichment adventure through Forest Park has been delivered with that same devotion. We are fully insured and bonded, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In our entire history, we have maintained a flawless safety record — zero incidents, zero compromises.

That is not a marketing claim. That is a promise we have kept every single day, through every season, through every challenge, without exception.

When you choose Creature Comforts, you are not hiring a pet sitter. You are choosing complete peace of mind. You are choosing a caregiver who has been featured in The New York Times and celebrated locally in the Ladue News. You are choosing 17 years of expertise, passion, and an unbreakable commitment to the animals you love. Read what our clients say →

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The Creature Comforts Promise

Six reasons why St. Louis's most discerning families choose us — and never look back.

A Flawless Safety Record

Seventeen years. Zero incidents. Fully insured and bonded. Your pet's safety is never negotiated, never compromised, never treated as anything less than the absolute priority it is.

On Call 24/7/365

Emergencies do not keep business hours. Neither do we. Whether it is 2 AM on Christmas morning or a holiday weekend when every other service is unavailable, we are reachable, we are ready, and we are there.

One-on-One Devotion

No kennels. No cages. No strangers rotating through your home. Just personalized, in-home care that keeps your pet in their own environment, in their own comfort zone, surrounded by the sights and smells and rhythms that make them feel safe.

Nationally Recognized

Featured in The New York Times and celebrated in the Ladue News — trusted by St. Louis's most discerning families because excellence speaks for itself.

Premium Tailored Services

Dog walking, pet sitting, in-home boarding, obedience training, enrichment adventures, veterinarian and groomer transport — every service under one roof, delivered by someone who genuinely loves your animal. See our full service menu →

A Community of Trust

Our clients include physicians, attorneys, executives, professors, and community leaders — people who have built their lives on demanding excellence and recognizing it when they find it. Read what they say about us →

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Client Spotlight: Rosemary Klein

Today we honor a wonderful longtime client and cherished friend of over 16 years.

Some people walk into your life and simply make it better. Rosemary Klein is one of those people.

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Arch Resources, Rosemary is a prominent St. Louis-based corporate executive and attorney with a career defined by brilliance, integrity, and grace under pressure. She has led corporate law departments through complex restructurings, navigated high-stakes business turnarounds, and done it all with a quiet elegance that commands respect in every room she enters.

And yet — what I know about Rosemary is this: she loves her animals with her whole heart.

For 16 years, it has been my privilege to care for the companions she treasures most. Rosemary, you are truly a gem and a treasure, and we are honored — every single day — to be part of your family.

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Our Extraordinary Client Family

A few of the remarkable people who trust us with their most beloved companions.

The families who make up the Creature Comforts community are not just clients. They are some of the most accomplished, compassionate, and extraordinary people in St. Louis — and beyond. I am humbled every day by the trust they place in me.

Randall Martin — Distinguished Professor at Washington University, holding a PhD and MS from Harvard, an MSc from Oxford, and a BS from Cornell. A brilliant mind and a devoted pet parent whose intellectual curiosity extends to every creature in his care.

Nancy Fox — Creative genius and passionate lover of the arts, whose beautiful musicals bring joy to audiences across St. Louis and whose warmth fills every room she enters.

Joe & Michelle Buck — A beautiful family carrying on a legendary legacy in broadcasting and entertainment, and wonderful, caring pet parents who bring that same warmth and dedication to their animals.

Nick Leddy — Former St. Louis Blues hockey player and dedicated pet parent who brings the same championship heart to his family that he brought to the ice every single night.

Christopher Samuel Kit Bond & Linda Bond — Posthumous, everlasting gratitude to Missouri's legendary political figure — the state's youngest governor at age 33 and a four-term U.S. Senator. Senator Bond, your legacy endures, and your family's trust in us is an honor we carry with pride.

Earle H. Harbison Jr. — Prominent St. Louis businessman, lawyer, philanthropist, former Deputy Director of the CIA, and former President and COO of Monsanto Company. A man of extraordinary accomplishment and even greater character.

Keith Harbison — Esteemed St. Louis businessman and community leader whose dedication to this city is matched only by his love for his animals.

Sallie & Gerry Guerra — Legal eagles par excellence who possess the biggest hearts — and whose pets receive nothing less than the royal treatment they deserve.

Jay & Ruth Rainey — Prestigious private school heads who are absolutely wonderful, and whose trust in Creature Comforts means the world to us.

Dr. Barbara Ellzey — Deeply respected physician and former Director of the Emergency Room at Missouri Baptist Hospital — a healer in every sense of the word, whose compassion for her patients extends to every creature in her home.

Dr. Brent Allen & Ellen Allen — Respected vascular surgeon and his wonderful wife — a family whose care for their pets reflects the same precision, dedication, and love they bring to everything they do.

Dr. Dan McDonald & Ann McDonald — Renowned OB-GYN surgeon and his brilliant oncology nurse wife — two healers whose animals are in the very best possible hands, and whose kindness to us over the years has been extraordinary.

Dr. Tetika Buchheit — Prominent St. Louis healthcare sales executive, author, public speaker, and medical aesthetics industry leader — a force of nature, a wonderful friend, and one of the most dynamic people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Tracy Lanes & Steve Cwick — Dedicated Nurse Anesthetist and her wonderful husband — two people whose compassion for others extends to every creature in their care, and whose loyalty to Creature Comforts is something I treasure deeply.

Bobbi & Tim Breckenridge — The very most caring, amazing family — whose warmth, generosity, and loyalty to Creature Comforts is a gift I am grateful for every single day.

Drew Dennison — Highly valued financial executive and faithful client of 16 years, formerly serving as COO and CFO of Scottrade Financial Services, Inc. Drew, your loyalty and trust over the years have meant more than I can express.

Bob Walpert — Founder, President, and CEO of Walpert Properties — over four decades of commercial real estate leadership in the Midwest, and a cherished member of our family whose confidence in us is an honor we do not take lightly.

These are just a few of the remarkable families who make up our community. Visit our Client Appreciation page to read more about the people and pets we are honored to serve.

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A Special Salute to Our Gifted Colleagues & Trusted Associates

Behind every great business is a team of extraordinary people. I am humbled and grateful beyond words for the colleagues who make this work possible.

Dr. Douglas Pernikoff — Veterinarian, Conservationist & Cherished Friend

Dr. Doug is one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. A prominent Missouri veterinarian, founder of the Clarkson-Wilson Veterinary Clinic, creator of Dr. Doug's Vet-Pet Rescue, and a conservationist who has served as resident veterinarian at the Saint Louis Zoo conducting global primate research — his dedication to animals is an inspiration to everything we do. Doug, your friendship and your expertise have shaped this business in ways I could never fully articulate. Thank you.

Colby Trout — Trusted Pet Care Associate & Cherished Friend of 10 Years

Colby, you are a godsend I could not do without. A trusted friend of 10 years who makes the world a better place every single day. Your dedication, your heart, and your extraordinary care for every animal in your charge is a gift beyond measure — and I am profoundly grateful for you.

Brooke Monica — Extraordinary Pet Care Associate & Faithful Friend of 10 Years

Brooke, you are an incredible, faithful, and extraordinary friend whose invaluable help makes my world a better place every day. Your commitment to excellence and your genuine love for animals is felt by every family you serve — and your presence in this business is something I treasure deeply.

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Pet Care Tip of the Week: Beating Boredom with Interactive Play

The secret to a happy, well-adjusted pet is not just love — it is mental stimulation. Here is how to keep your companion sharp, calm, and thriving:

Boosts Brainpower. Puzzle toys keep senior pets mentally sharp and tire out high-energy puppies — a win on both ends of the leash. Even 10 minutes of problem-solving can make a measurable difference in your pet's mood and behavior.

Prevents Anxiety. Foraging for treats shifts focus away from destructive behaviors and separation anxiety, replacing stress with purpose. A dog who is working for their food is a dog who is not chewing your furniture.

Mimics Natural Instincts. Hiding kibble satisfies a dog or cat's natural drive to hunt and work for their food — enrichment that feels like play but delivers the deep satisfaction of instinct fulfilled.

Start simple: hide a few pieces of kibble around the room before you leave for work. Watch what happens to your pet's energy, focus, and calm. The results will surprise you.

Want enrichment built into every visit? Our Elite Dog Walking & Adventure walks include GPS-tracked enrichment routes designed to stimulate body and mind.

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17 Years. One Promise. Kept Every Day.

I started Creature Comforts Great & Small because I believed that animals deserve the very best — and that the families who love them deserve complete peace of mind. Seventeen years later, that belief has not changed. If anything, it has deepened.

Every client in this post has given me something I cannot put a price on: their trust. And I have spent 17 years doing everything in my power to be worthy of it.

If you are ready to experience the difference that genuine devotion makes — for your pet and for your peace of mind — I would be honored to meet you. See a real day in the life →

Book a Free Meet & Greet — and let's begin.

With gratitude and devotion,

Paul Flotron Owner & Founder, Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC St. Louis, Missouri