When Kathy Maddox was laid off from her job in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, she needed a pivot — and fast. She saw it as her opportunity to run like someone had left the gate open. From the time she was a toddler and was gifted a collie mix named Lady, she had formed a special bond with animals. This sudden change in her employment status became the perfect opportunity to do what she loved — offering pet-sitting to friends and neighbors all over Bedford County.
“The idea came to me when a friend asked me to let her dog out to go potty and to feed her dog and horses,” Maddox recalled. “God gave me the idea to pursue this further, so I started posting on Facebook about it. Word got out as I built my trusted reputation. I have truly been blessed with much business.”
This exciting endeavor allows her to visit with close friends — her clients and their fur babies. “I love what I do as a pet sitter. I have met so many great people and have become friends with them. I know God has put these people in my life for a reason. Some of them I have been pet sitting for since I started this five years ago. Whether it’s cats, dogs, or even horses, I love them all. Whenever they cross the ‘Rainbow Bridge,’ I feel heartbroken because I get attached to these babies.”
Maddox spends a lot of time running the roads. She said, “Some days, I probably drive 60 to 70 miles because I visit some of my customers three to four times per day. I have gone from Flat Creek to Wartrace to Bell Buckle to Unionville. My services also include overnight stays at the pet’s home, feeding them, and giving them potty breaks. I have regular weekly visits with some; others book me while they are gone on vacation. Sometimes, they book me a year in advance. They pay a deposit to secure those dates. My husband helps occasionally, but his health is not really good. I’m grateful that I have a supportive family.”
On July 24, 2024, the Maddoxes’ home was destroyed by fire. Although their blue heeler, Belle, and their shar-pei, Freddie, who was partially blind, survived, the animals had suffered so much trauma that both had to be humanely euthanized. In the midst of their suffering, friends Marty and Jennifer Barr, who own Phoenix Charity, reached out. Others also helped as the Maddoxes walked through this heartbreaking journey.
“We had already been through so much after the fire that putting our animals down broke our hearts. Dr. Sally Schmidt from Northpoint Animal Hospital went through this with us, and she was so compassionate. God sent us DugE, who is a corgi. He belonged to Marty and Jennifer Barr. He was their personal dog. DugE has helped so much with our healing, especially to my husband, who has post-traumatic stress disorder. DugE is so great with our 8-month-old grandson. They love each other. We had to have a kid-friendly dog.”
Although the Phoenix Charity, a nonprofit based in Tullahoma, usually provides trained service dogs to American veterans, the Barrs made sure the Maddoxes had a peppy little buddy to comfort them during this difficult time as well. After the fire, the Maddoxes moved into town. They also have two outside cats — Mango, who is yellow and white, and Kiwee, a tabby. Mango came from the farm where they had lived, but they had to rehome their goat and pony after the fire.
“I love animals with all my heart,” Maddox said. “My heart breaks for any mistreatment of them. Bedford County needs to work more on the importance of having pets spayed and neutered. There are so many pets who are unwanted, dumped, or just neglected. There are many rescues that need help with food, finances, and volunteers to help with the problem. Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic offers help with spaying and neutering, so there is no excuse not to. These animals are God’s creatures, and I believe that He expects us to help take care of them and to love them. I think we will be rewarded for doing so.”
To make pet ownership more affordable, she suggested creating boxes similar to Blessings Boxes, which provide food at different locations around town — these would offer pet food, cat litter, and other supplies that can be costly.
“This would help those who have found it a challenge to feed their pets but don’t want to give them up.”
For the last five years, Kathy Maddox has loved and cared for her neighbors’ pets as if they were her own. Each time she pulls up to a client’s home, tails start wagging. The cats start meowing, and the horses stamp their hooves in excitement to see her. She stops and thanks God for this beautiful life He has granted her — pet hair and all. GN
Find her on Facebook and Instagram at Kathy L. Maddox or Kathy’s Pet Sitting Services.
