S/O How long would you watch a friend's dog for?

[imhischeeseburger]

Long rant...

Right now I'm watching a friend's dog for 2 weeks while on vacation. I'm a little annoyed because A) She didn't even ask me, her husband asked my husband. She never even mentioned it to me even though I saw her multiple times before they left (I think she knew I would say no.) And B.) A mutual friend was supposed to watch him for 1 week and then I watch him for the other week but she flaked and now doesn't want to watch him at all.  Because of B) Friend is upset and is being a drama queen complaining to me that she can't deal with this right now because she's 1,000 miles away and at dinner with her family. She's so ungrateful, my husband went and picked up her dog from mutual friend that decided she didn't want to watch him and when I told her we had her dog she didn't even thank me, but was annoyed that we had him. I guess I'm a major bitch, but I don't want to watch her damn dog for 2 weeks. If it was an emergency situation of course I could suck it up and do them the favor, but seriously they are on vacation in Florida. They were planning this vacation for months. Why didn't they just board their damn dog? She's lucky I wasn't there when her husband asked because I would have said no.

[Deleted]

like 6 hours.

ETA:  can't you board the dog for her and have them send her the bill?   i have no idea how this sort of thing works.  but, damn. 

[margotmacomber]

I wouldn't at all unless it was an absolute emergency.  I have a toddler and a puppy, plus a fully grown rot and ain't nobody got time for all that.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

She's not paying anyone to watch the dog? I'd tell her that it wasn't working out and take the dog to a reputable kennel.

[MWOS]

Like, forever.

[imhischeeseburger]

They waited till the last second (like always) so I couldn't say no after my husband said yes.

[speckledfrog]

Jun 4, 2013 20:15:19 GMT -5 imhischeeseburger said:

They were planning this vacation for months. Why didn't they just board their damn dog?

Because boarding your dog for that long is crazy expensive.

Call her on her bullshit.  And ask her to call other friends to see if they'll take part of the shift.  2 weeks is suuuuuper long.  Is her dog at least well behaved?    

[EmilieMadison]

1 day. And WTF. It's not your fault the other friend flaked. Call around, find a kennel that can board the dog for the rest of her trip, and call her and let her know that she either needs to call the kennel to give them payment info, call the mutual friend and get her to take the dog back, or she'll need to come home because you simply cannot take the dog for two weeks.

Unfortunately, you might have said no but your husband said yes. So not much you can do about the initial week you already did. But why the fuck did your husband go pick up the dog from the mutual friend?? He should have left it there and the mutual friend should have to figure this out.

[lilybug]

I'd be fine with pet sitting for two weeks, but the circumstances with your friend would piss me off.

Not asking you directly is weird, but wouldn't make me too mad, since I'd assume my H would ask me before agreeing to anything. Being whiny and bitchy when you're being awesome and picking up flaky-other-friend's slack is totally unacceptable.

She better bring you back a kickass present or something.

[hisno1girl]

Jun 4, 2013 20:19:01 GMT -5 imhischeeseburger said:

They waited till the last second (like always) so I couldn't say no after my husband said yes.

Did he check with you first? I'm guessing he didn't.

You still could have said no.

I would have.

I do not dog sit unless it's my granddaughter's dog, and then only for a day at the most.

[pooh8402]

Jun 4, 2013 20:22:33 GMT -5 lilybug said:

I'd be fine with pet sitting for two weeks, but the circumstances with your friend would piss me off.

Not asking you directly is weird, but wouldn't make me too mad, since I'd assume my H would ask me before agreeing to anything. Being whiny and bitchy when you're being awesome and picking up flaky-other-friend's slack is totally unacceptable.

She better bring you back a kickass present or something.

all of this. I love dogs and would definitely pet sit for 2 weeks if asked, but not at the last minute, and I would hope that my friend would have set it up through the vet that I could take the dog there if need be and the owner be billed.

[circa1978]

Six months while said friend was out of the country. But in your circumstance, I'd be miffed, too. Poor pup.

[georgie]

I couldn't just dip outta town and dump my dog on someone. Do they an to pay you extremely well? That would be the only way I would put up with it at this point.

[miniroller]

I seriously debated asking parents to watch our pup while we'll be out of town for FOUR days. Decided it was too much (ps they also have dogs!!), & have since concluded to board our pup. To me- this is cuh-RAZY!!!

[snickers]

A few hours, max. Unless it was am emergency.
I'd be annoyed in your situation also.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Look, I LOVE dogs. I have a few. I've fostered quite a few more. Love. I want ALLLL the dogs. However, "friends" who shit on me? I don't love their dogs. I may like them, but no way in hell would I go out of my way for people who do this shit. Why? Because I don't do it to other people. I plan for my travel. I mean, fuck, I leave medical releases for my dogs saying who is in charge and sign that I will take care of all costs associated with their emergency care. People who don't care enough about their animals to figure this shit out, shouldn't get to enjoy their vacation while I deal with cleaning up their mess.

[sydney02]

My dog watching days are over so at this point, unless it's my parents' dog, my answer is no, even for a day.

I've spent thousands of dollars boarding my dogs over the years so I don't bother friends. I've had lots of people ask me to watch their dog and only one of them offered me any money. I always felt funny asking for money so I take the blame there. But I'd never expect someone to watch my dog in their house for free.
Over the years I've had people ask me to watch their dog for a few days, only to extend their trip and have it turn into a week. The longest I've watched dogs is two weeks and that is way too long.
I've had other poeple's dogs crap and pee in my house. One person's dog chewed my couch. Another dog peed on the couch. Too much work, responsibility and liability.

sorry for turning your rant into my rant. But let me tell you from experience, you need to set people like your friend straight. Dogs are work and they tie you down. You can either pony up the money for a kennel or cancel your trip. I'm sorry you're stuck. I feel bad for the dog because of course it's not his fault. It's just amazing how ballsy people can be.

[vanillacourage]

Jun 4, 2013 20:21:29 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Jun 4, 2013 20:15:19 GMT -5 imhischeeseburger said:

They were planning this vacation for months. Why didn't they just board their damn dog?

Because boarding your dog for that long is crazy expensive.

Call her on her bullshit.  And ask her to call other friends to see if they'll take part of the shift.  2 weeks is suuuuuper long.  Is her dog at least well behaved?    

But....that's part of being a pet owner, no? 

Yeah, ditto everyone else that I would tell friend that after XYZ day, the dog is going to a boarder.  Find a nice one, with doggy daycare, because it will be the most expensive option for them.  (devil)

[angelaa73]

2 days max??

[MWOS]

Jun 4, 2013 20:38:06 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Look, I LOVE dogs. I have a few. I've fostered quite a few more. Love. I want ALLLL the dogs. However, "friends" who shit on me? I don't love their dogs. I may like them, but no way in hell would I go out of my way for people who do this shit. Why? Because I don't do it to other people. I plan for my travel. I mean, fuck, I leave medical releases for my dogs saying who is in charge and sign that I will take care of all costs associated with their emergency care. People who don't care enough about their animals to figure this shit out, shouldn't get to enjoy their vacation while I deal with cleaning up their mess.

I agree with all of this, but then I look at their furry little faces and I DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO DOG JAIL FOR TWO WEEKS! I cannot help myself.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Jun 4, 2013 20:54:02 GMT -5 MWOS said:

Jun 4, 2013 20:38:06 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Look, I LOVE dogs. I have a few. I've fostered quite a few more. Love. I want ALLLL the dogs. However, "friends" who shit on me? I don't love their dogs. I may like them, but no way in hell would I go out of my way for people who do this shit. Why? Because I don't do it to other people. I plan for my travel. I mean, fuck, I leave medical releases for my dogs saying who is in charge and sign that I will take care of all costs associated with their emergency care. People who don't care enough about their animals to figure this shit out, shouldn't get to enjoy their vacation while I deal with cleaning up their mess.

I agree with all of this, but then I look at their furry little faces and I DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO DOG JAIL FOR TWO WEEKS! I cannot help myself.

Pshaw. They love those places, especially when I say thing like, "Your fucking owner sucks ass. Enjoy your subpar kibble," when I feed the dog. The people GETTING PAID will have a much better attitude than I would about that shit.

[vanillacourage]

Jun 4, 2013 20:54:02 GMT -5 MWOS said:

Jun 4, 2013 20:38:06 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

I agree with all of this, but then I look at their furry little faces and I DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO DOG JAIL FOR TWO WEEKS! I cannot help myself.

The place we send my dog to, they free-roam with the other dogs throughout the day, then at night they have their own large runs with a raised cot and a TELEVISION THAT PLAYS ANIMAL PLANET in the corner.  Literally, the last time we were gone for 6 days his doggy daycare bill was more than one of our round-trip plane tickets to Mexico. 

[wildfloweragain]

For most of this post and replies I was thinking that you really need to suck it up and finish watching the dog and never ever say yes again (same with DH.)

But I remember agreeing to watch BIL's dog on their honeymoon and it sucked so bad that after MIL offered to take her a few times, I took her over there. I wanted to stick it out but it was so frustrating. A new rescue puppy that constantly peed all over even though I was taking her out every 15 min. How do they get that much pee?

I'd like to say I'd be cool with dog sitting for one week, but prob not two, with a normal, house trained dog.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Jun 4, 2013 20:57:35 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

You can't just take the dog to a kennel, people. Especially if it's not yours.

Lots of kennels require paperwork and vet records and possibly an evaluation day. Plus they need a bunch of info about the dog that a lot of times only the owner would know.

Besides, boarding a dog for 2 weeks at a decent kennel could cost upwards of $1000. Don't even ask me how much I'm paying to board my 2 dogs this week here in Brooklyn. :$

I get that, but I would seriously put this back on the owner. OP has a kid and at least one dog of her own, if I'm not mistaken. She shouldn't be held responsible for anything beyond what her H agreed to. The owner isn't on safari. She's in FL, with a phone and an internet connection. She can figure this out.

[Moe]

I had a friend of mine call me from the airport, she was leaving for Christmas and was excited to fly with her dog (whom she'd flown before) to see her family in the other coast. Except the plane wasn't taking any more dogs (her dog had to be cargo'ed) and the alternative was that she couldn't fly. So I drove to the airport, picked up her dog and offered to have him stay with us for the 2 weeks she was going on vacation.

It's also happened to us that I was going to my sister's wedding, and the guy that offered to take care of Sofia bailed on us, so we scrambled to find a dog hotel/doggie daycare in a day, they only had a spot for select days, so we had to find another friend that would pick her up and keep her for another few days while we came back.

I guess the moral of the story is that many dog owners have gone through this. It happens.

I agree with you that I wouldn't have taken the dog if I knew my partner had such strong feelings against this. But we're obviously both dog lovers so it wouldn't have been an issue.

I was so lucky that when DH and I went on vacation, and I actively DID NOT want Sofia to be in a kennel (she's had a bad experience and she was letting us know that she was old and crotchety (i.e. dying) and didn't want to stay in a kennel), that julez was kind enough to not only offer to take her for 10 days, but kept sending us pictures of Sofia's adventures while we were in Europe cavorting. We felt happy knowing that she was with friends as opposed to an impersonal kennel. Don't know why, I know that there are kennels where dogs are given the royal treatment.