NBR: WWYD?

uncjules

So, this is a silly WWYD. My neighbor, "John," has been dating "Jane" for awhile. She is divorced and alternates custody of her kids with her ex, one week on, one week off. Jane just moved in with John, so the kids will now be across the street every other week. I saw Jane briefly over the weekend and she said that her oldest ("Suzy," age 12?) would love to be our dogwalker. I was sort of stunned since I have not advertised the need for such services and just said OK. Jane said she would bring over Suzy tonight so she could meet our dog. That was the end of the convo.

This may seem silly, but I'm not quite sure what to do. I don't need a dog-walker. Would I like to not be out in the heat with my dog? Sure! But, this is also good exercise time for me and gives our dog time with me away from Arden. Plus, she's a strong dog and I'm not sure Suzy can handle her. (My dog is pretty calm, but does have moments where she needs to be man-handled!) Finally, I would feel like I need to pay Suzy, and I don't want to pay for a service I don't need.

So, do I just say thanks but no thanks? Do I let the kid walk my dog? If so, do I have to pay her? I think I'm just worried about offending these neighbors because I really like them.

Thanks for reading my inconsequential ramblings!

 

 

MrsHughesNC

Hmm.. weird that they would just assume that you need a dog walker!

Would you trust this family to come in your house when you were away for the weekend? Assuming so, I'd say "thanks--we might take you up on that sometime if we go out of town or something." Hopefully they'll get the hint that otherwise, you don't have a need for her dog walking services.

 

AngelPack

I probably shouldn't laugh at this, but it is funny to me for some reason.

Maybe let her meet the dog and say something like, "Well, it seems like you two get along great, whenever we need to be out of the house for a little while and need someone to walk her we will let you know!" 

dbertagni

MrsHughesNC:

Hmm.. weird that they would just assume that you need a dog walker!

Would you trust this family to come in your house when you were away for the weekend? Assuming so, I'd say "thanks--we might take you up on that sometime if we go out of town or something." Hopefully they'll get the hint that otherwise, you don't have a need for her dog walking services.

 

This. Just say that you don't need someone every day but if the need comes up if you are OOT or will be gone longer during the day then you will have her do it. I think that is fair and kind of gets you off the hook. 

tracelini

AngelPack:

I probably shouldn't laugh at this, but it is funny to me for some reason.

Maybe let her meet the dog and say something like, "Well, it seems like you two get along great, whenever we need to be out of the house for a little while and need someone to walk her we will let you know!" 

Ditto all of this People are so weird to assume you need a dog walker?? That's a random one! haha GL! (You can always send my dog-neice to camp Robb! haha )

uncjules

AngelPack - don't worry about laughing! Who on earth has people offer to walk their dog for them when they don't need it? Odd!

You all bring up a good point about saying that I would use them in the future. They are people I totally trust to be in my house without me, so that's a good option.

Thanks!

uncjules

tracelini:

AngelPack:

I probably shouldn't laugh at this, but it is funny to me for some reason.

Maybe let her meet the dog and say something like, "Well, it seems like you two get along great, whenever we need to be out of the house for a little while and need someone to walk her we will let you know!" 

Ditto all of this People are so weird to assume you need a dog walker?? That's a random one! haha GL! (You can always send my dog-neice to camp Robb! haha )

She is totally enrolling in Robb's Boot Camp for Dogs one day.    But, with my luck she would learn to only listen to him and not me.

Oh, and I should say that I think her daughter is a total animal lover but they don't have any pets, hence her desire to have Suzy hang out with my dog.

nark

This exact same thing happened to my SIL a few weeks ago, except it was a neighbor she'd barely ever met. She just said thanks but no thanks. So weird!