How long is too long for dog sitting?

[LennyPugGoat]

awkward situation, I need some help please.

Don’t know very well colleague went on leave, her flat to house rental fell though and she asked another colleague to pet sit for her.

That didn’t go well over a very short period of time, I offered to help out.

DDog has been with us since a few weeks before Christmas, we all love him. Made contact with owner who has said they want DDog back in March.

It’s seems such a long amount of time to care for DDog and then give them back...

[Whynosnowyet]

Did you agree ££££??

[LennyPugGoat]

I’ve paid for everything for DDog, no money offered whilst we have DDog here

[NoSquirrels]

Not sure I’m clear - you’re helping out because the first person couldn’t? Make sure they’re paying you for starters. Doesn’t the owner come and walk the dog at all - why can’t it be with them till March?

[Whynosnowyet]

Do you intend to invoice them? Extreme cfery imo if you don't get reimbursed...

[LennyPugGoat]

The house they have bought needs work done on it and their DDog can’t stay in their half way house

No money offered, I’m just helping out but we have fallen in love with DDog, March seems so far away...

[LennyPugGoat]

No payment ecpected.

[Dreamersandwishers]

Oh dear. They are taking the mickey. They should be paying for food, etc at the very least , & visiting the dog regularly to maintain that bond.
Unfortunately, if the chip log is in their name, it’s their dog and you are going to have to give it up. How old is the dog and how long did owners have it before this happened?
You could try asking if you can keep dog and contribute to them buying another puppy when ready?
I can’t imagine leaving my two for that length of time without a lot of visits and cuddles, and I get where you are coming from.

[NoSquirrels]

If you don’t want money, and you’re happy to have the dog stay, you’re just worried you’ll be upset to see it leave, is that it? I’m not sure exactly what the issue is. Are you worried they don’t care about it? Weird if they don’t visit or walk it at all.

[Floralnomad]

Just tell them they need to make a contribution to his keep or take him now . They are cf however you can’t just keep him because you’ve had him a long time . Do you know what arrangement they had with the original sitter re time / payment .

[Pipandmum]

Unbelievable. I'd say to them 'hey the bill for dog food so far is £xx - do you want to give me cash or my bank details'? As if you'd agreed all along. This is the very least they could do.

[LennyPugGoat]

BWe don’t want DDog to leave, we have bonded.

They have not made any contact at all, nothing until the house has gone through and now, this week it’s all love and hugs....

DDog has been here with us since 2 weeks before Christmas

[misspiggy19]

They are very rude. To not even provide food for the dog or anything is bad.

[NoSquirrels]

It’s not your dog, so you need to accept that.

Ask for money for food, formalise it. Once it’s on a more official basis you can detach a bit.

[Herpesfreesince03]

You can’t just keep their dog op. I’d drift Italy insist on them picking it up now though, not in another 2 months time. I’d phone them and tell them it’s too long, you’re getting attached, and they can either pick the dog up or make other arrangements for it or you’ll assume it to be abandoned and take ownership of it.

[Herpesfreesince03]

Definitely, not drift Italy 🙄

[dudsville]

I think you need to be careful. Let then know you've really taken to the dog and are at risk of not wanting to hand it back, certainly by March this will be even tougher. See what they say. I have friends in Australia who come here every couple of years for 2 months leaving their much loved dogs with a house sitter. They would be beside themselves with grief if they couldn't return to their dogs.

[NoSquirrels]

I know you say they haven’t been in touch but presumably neither have you tried to contact them? Or you did and they ignored you?

Anyway - you offered a favour without agreeing terms and you can’t now say you like their dog so much it should be yours. Ask them to make other arrangements if you are genuinely concerned about being too attached. It’s their dog, even if they don’t seem to care much right now I could almost guarantee you they will care a lot if you try to keep it!

[OnTheEdgeOfTheNight]

she asked another colleague to pet sit for her.

That didn’t go well over a very short period of time, I offered to help out.

You may have been a bit naive in taking on this dog without a clear plan, but the important thing is to deal with the situation you are in.

Can you find out why the first dog sitting plan fell through? It may be relevant.

At the very least, you need to agree terms. Who pays for vet bills? Which vet is the dog registered with? Does it have insurance? In the event of an accident or acute illness, do you have permission or legal ability to deal with the situation? Why are you paying for food?

I am very suspicious of anyone who doesn't want to see their dog for such a long period of time. I urge you to get answers.

[BrokenWing]

It is not your dog.

If you can't look after it without becoming emotionally attached tell the owner you can't do it.

If you want to look after knowing you will need to return later, speak to the owner about costs.

[LennyPugGoat]

I honestly don’t think DDog is registered, he isn’t chipped, he is wearing my rainbow bridge DDogs collar With my contact details on as he isn’t neutered and I worry he will get out etc, he hasn’t yet.

I’ve been stipulated trying to help, we now love home, as I said, it’s awkward..

[LennyPugGoat]

I understand he isn’t my dog

[NoSquirrels]

What do you want to do, then? What is it you want to change about the situation?

[Stellaris22]

Why is he not microchipped? It's a legal requirement.

[clpsmum]

It's not your dog you can't keep it. Tell them you can't help them out for that long and let them sort other arrangement but do not steal their dog!

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

I found myself in a broadly similar - though not identical situation. I very nearly had my heart broken, at a time where I was a bit of an emotional wreck anyway for unrelated reasons. I know full well that it's easier said than done saying you shouldn't get too attached!

DDog is now snoozing on my bed, but that's only because his owner unexpectedly couldn't take him when he moved. I would have been devastated if he had gone, but he absolutely wasn't my dog.

Could you make tentative plans to adopt a rescue dog when temporary dog returns to the family? It may help to soften the blow a little.