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Dogsitting Dilemma :)

alisonadaalisonada member
in Cincinnati Babies

From May through September of this year I worked for a sole practitioner (I was his only employee.)  His office was in the downstairs of his home, so his dog was there every day with us in the office.  I really liked her (and vice versa) and so when, in August, he had to go out of town for a weekend I volunteered to bring her home with me for the weekend.  We (me and boss) only worked Tues-Wed-Thurs, so I had her from Thursday evening until Tuesday morning.  No compensation was discussed in advance, and I would have been OK doing it for free (as a favor to my boss.)

The weekend went OK - but we have a dog, 5 cats, and two small kids already in our small house - so having another hyper larger-sized dog in the mix was a little overwhelming. He was really nervous about leaving her though, so since there were no real problems I told him it went fine (which, it really did, overall.)  When I brought her back he gave me $50 and thanked me profusely. 

Fast forward to now.  I've been in my new job a month, and dropped him an e-mail just saying hi. He writes back, and after the normal pleasantries, asks if I can babysit the dog next weekend gratis. 

He's traveling to a for-fun conference for a recreational activity he enjoys.  He said that between gas, food, lodging, and other incidentals, his budget is just really tight for the trip.  I understand that, but for some reason the fact that he asked me to do it for free bugs me.  #1 - he's traveling completely for fun  #2 - I'm not even his employee anymore #3 - part of my job included balencing his checkbook, and I know he's far from destitute. I also know for a fact that his home and two cars are both paid off.

I don't know...I do miss the dog and wouldn't mind seeing her again.  And he said he would drop her off and pick her up.  But I now work FT, and so the dog would be home alone for 2 out of the 4 days she's with us, which makes me a little nervous (she did get into our trash last time she was with us when she was home alone for only a couple hours - luckily it was nearly empty) Life is busy and crazy enough right now, and DH doesn't want to do it.  But I feel bad because I know that ex-boss is really nervous about leaving her with anyone, and I feel extra bad and greedy because I really just don't want to do it for free.

 WDYT?

Oh - a few other things - the person who replaced me can't do it because she lives in a pet-free condo.  And I want to point out that if this were a friend or family member (versus just a former boss) I would do it for free no problem and just deal with the inconvenience. 

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Re: Dogsitting Dilemma :)

  • Mrs.Cooley2beeMrs.Cooley2bee member

    I agree, I would be a bit annoyed that he is asking you to do it for free.  That being said I would probably just go ahead and do it. 

    I would worry more about becoming the "go to" dog sitter, which is a position you may now want to be in.  He seems to be comforatble with you and that may mean many more dog sitting weekends.  Just a thought.  GL with whatever you decide.

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  • SuperchicySuperchicy
    imageMrs.Cooley2bee:

    I agree, I would be a bit annoyed that he is asking you to do it for free.  That being said I would probably just go ahead and do it. 

    I would worry more about becoming the "go to" dog sitter, which is a position you may now want to be in.  He seems to be comforatble with you and that may mean many more dog sitting weekends.  Just a thought.  GL with whatever you decide.

    This was my thought too.  I'd probably do it b/c I can't say no, but I would worry that once you do it for free, he'll expect you to do it for free from now on every time he wants to go out of town.  

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  • margauxa1margauxa1

    DH and I love to help out our neighbor with cat/dog sitting and in return she watches our cat.  She always thanks us and gives us small gifts and thank-you notes.  When we have helped out FRIENDS in the past, they have always taken us out to dinner or some other form of thanks.  We never expected any of it, but it is nice to have that form of thanks.

     I don't think you should do it for free.  This is a former employer, not your friend.  It sounds like you already have a full house and you would be going out of your way to help this person.  I would hate to end up being the go-to for free dog sitter :( 

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  • escape1stescape1st
    Perhaps I am a meanie, but I wouldn't do it.  Four days is a huge inconvenience without being compensated at all.  If he can afford vacation, then he should budget for dog sitting or plan ahead for someone to watch the dog.  Plus, your DH is opposed, which does count for something.
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  • alisonadaalisonada member
    Thanks everyone for the input! Right now, I'm leaning towards not doing it.  Any ideas on how to word my reply (declining)? I'm half tempted to make up a lie about being OOT myself or something, but I don't really want to lie, and plus he'll probably just ask me again next time then.
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  • VanderLaanVanderLaan member

    I would not do it!!! 

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  • Mrs.Cooley2beeMrs.Cooley2bee member

    You could blame it on your full time schedule and lack of time.  It may not be the best response but it will be honest and he probably won't ask again.  I hate saying no, so I know how hard it is.

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  • sistrkatesistrkate
    imageMrs.Cooley2bee:

    You could blame it on your full time schedule and lack of time.  It may not be the best response but it will be honest and he probably won't ask again.  I hate saying no, so I know how hard it is.

    This is pretty much what I was thinking too.  Let him know you wouldn't be comfortable keeping the dog while you're working full time because she would be alone so much.  Plus you could mention that it makes your aging dog uncomfortable and it would just not be an ideal environment for her.

    I know how tough this must be, because you want to remain on friendly terms with the guy being a former employer and all.  But saying no for your own sanity is totally within reasonability to do.  Plus, like everyone else said, you don't want to be his go-to person, and it's looks like that's where this is headed.

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  • Lyons_in_2007Lyons_in_2007
    imagesistrkate:
    imageMrs.Cooley2bee:

    You could blame it on your full time schedule and lack of time.  It may not be the best response but it will be honest and he probably won't ask again.  I hate saying no, so I know how hard it is.

    This is pretty much what I was thinking too.  Let him know you wouldn't be comfortable keeping the dog while you're working full time because she would be alone so much.  Plus you could mention that it makes your aging dog uncomfortable and it would just not be an ideal environment for her.

    I know how tough this must be, because you want to remain on friendly terms with the guy being a former employer and all.  But saying no for your own sanity is totally within reasonability to do.  Plus, like everyone else said, you don't want to be his go-to person, and it's looks like that's where this is headed.

    Exactly this!

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  • spradssprads

    I am so sorry that you want to do this for your friend / former boss but you promised me weeks ago that you would be helping me get ready for the baby this weekend and I can't really have any pets at my house due to children's allergies. By the way, I really appreciate you coming out and feel so bad that this will not enable you to help your former boss/friend. Wink Besides, your hubby and my hubby are supposed to go do that thing....so he won't be home to take care of her either.

    ETA: Oh, and since it is DD"s birthday this weekend, you really want to help me out so I don't go into labor and miss the whole thing...even Halloween.

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  • KristenBtobeKristenBtobe member
    imagesistrkate:
    imageMrs.Cooley2bee:

    You could blame it on your full time schedule and lack of time.  It may not be the best response but it will be honest and he probably won't ask again.  I hate saying no, so I know how hard it is.

    This is pretty much what I was thinking too.  Let him know you wouldn't be comfortable keeping the dog while you're working full time because she would be alone so much.  Plus you could mention that it makes your aging dog uncomfortable and it would just not be an ideal environment for her.

    I know how tough this must be, because you want to remain on friendly terms with the guy being a former employer and all.  But saying no for your own sanity is totally within reasonability to do.  Plus, like everyone else said, you don't want to be his go-to person, and it's looks like that's where this is headed.

    I agree. Just explain your life is jam-packed and you're sorry you can't  help.

    You've got that stuff...at that place..you know, that thing that you need to do?

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