I’m Madalena, but you can just call me Maddie! I’ve grown up in New York state all my life, and have been lucky enough to call NYC home for the past four years 🙂 I’m Portuguese, so if you happen to have a trip to Portugal coming up, I’m your go-to-gal for recommendations! When I’m not working, I love writing for fun, hosting board game nights with my friends, and enjoying good company in general.

I have a long history of dog walking and dog sitting, and I personally grew up with large dogs in my home, so I’ve been a dog person for literally my entire life 🙂 I’m very comfortable walking and caring for dogs with a wide range of personalities, quirks, medical issues, and sensitivities. I’m truly a dog person through and through (cats too — I have two of my own!). I care deeply for animals (I’ve also always had an affinity for primates — my family has called me “Maddie Monkey” for as long as I can remember), and take pride in being attentive, patient, and compassionate with every pet I work with. Spending so much of my life around dogs has taught me how to read their cues, respect their boundaries, and truly appreciate how unique each one is, whether they’re energetic, shy, stubborn, or just absolute sweethearts!

I truly understand how meaningful the bond between people and their pets is, and how much joy, comfort, and personality animals bring into our lives. I’m so excited to be part of the RuffCity team and can’t wait to spend time with your pup, making sure they feel safe, loved, and happy on every walk!