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Original poster

What am I to do about this - dog?

173 replies

XmasStag · 08/12/2023 19:17

I'm babysitting for the weekend within a friend's home. I am minding her children They have a pet dog. I know the dog well and I see the dog nearly most days and the dog is friendly and we get on well too. The dog knows me and we both love each other.

However the dog didn't eat his breakfast this morning. It would be too soon for him to notice that his owners are gone for the weekend because they go to work during the week and he's used to them being away. So I don't think the refusing of food is anything to do with his owners being away.

He went out to toilet at about 3.30. I stood at the door a while ago and called his name but he never came. I called him a few times.

It should be his dinner time now too. He does have a hiding place at the end of the garden but it's too cold, wet, windy and dark to go out there for me right now.

Am I to supposed to keep shouting his name at the door or am I supposed to wait for the kids to go to sleep then go outside for him. I don't fancy going out side to him later on when the kids are asleep either because it will be much later too.

What am I supposed to do?
Will I continue shouting his name at the door or go out for him later on or just leave him out for the night?

OP posts:
Original poster
XmasStag · 08/12/2023 21:54

My priority was with the children first and foremost. I wasn't going to go running around outside looking for a dog. Then it was getting late and I was tired and had a long day too and the idea of how many more hours left in my day before the children get to sleep and then the idea of going around at night time outside looking for the dog didn't appeal to me. It's been a long day and I'm still not done with it and I am tired.

I got a patch of time from the kids and ran out for the dog but it was t pleasant either.

I did have a drink of broth for my lunch because I sometimes have gut issues but I shared it with the dog in the hope it helps him too. Someone asked me up thread - what kind of broth and it was chicken bone broth.

He's gone to sleep now and the kids are settling. My priorioty was the children. I wasn't neglecting the dog. I stood at the door and called for him a few times and he usually does come running but he didn't. Maybe he's not able to hear great any more and especially in the wind. It wasn't am easy day with a sick child and running mountains of laundry in another person's home.

OP posts:
JennyJenny8675309 · 08/12/2023 21:58

ChilledToTheBone · 08/12/2023 19:57

I call bullshit. No one can be this dim and be left in charge of dog and dcs!

I’d agree with you but I’ve seen too many shit people who don’t care PROPERLY for animals. OP seems to be one of them.

CumbrianYorkshireHybrid · 08/12/2023 21:59

Fuck me, I'd be horrified if you were looking after my dog, even if he is home safely. I hope this is fake.

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Dogs
Catslovenip · 08/12/2023 22:02

OP please never get a dog. Your lack of concern for him is very concerning.

dawngreen · 08/12/2023 22:07

Why only we look after our dog!

DejaVoodoo · 08/12/2023 22:07

I hope there were no onions in that broth!

ChocolateCinderToffee · 08/12/2023 22:10

OP, dogs are like children. You don’t let them go off on their own. You should always know where they are.

They are completely unlike cats, which bugger off and come in at all hours like 20 year-olds.

Southlondoner88 · 08/12/2023 22:12

Wow, you sound like a delight! Please don’t agree to pet sit if you cba retrieving a dog from the garden. What a lazy so and so.

supersop60 · 08/12/2023 22:12

Oh, laundry as well now?

Yetanothernewname101 · 08/12/2023 22:17

We gave our dog soup once. It went straight through and he needed a shower after. Never again!
Your doggo was sat by the gate waiting for his humans to come home. Tomorrow when he disappears please get him in sooner or he'll be there all day.
I get that you've been asked to babysit but you knew there was a dog and you've implicitly agreed to care for it too. If I recognised my family in this post I'd be horrified at how little care you've given to my dog. It's essentially another child if you're a dog parent.

Missingmyusername · 08/12/2023 22:18

I would probably take DDog to the vet. If he isn’t eating or drinking…. I mean I chased to the end of the thread so glad he’s inside.
I would probably refrain from chicken bone broth soup if it contains salt, or chicken (my DDog is allergic).
New food may not help either. Being wet and cold won’t help his arthritis.
When we went away DM looked after my dog, I rang my vet to inform them my friend may need to bring him in if there was an emergency - (DM can’t drive and she’s 81) DDog is humongous…

This thread is brining out the John Wick in people- please take the DDog to the vet. Let him rest, keep him dry and warm. Don’t let him go wandering off he might have doggy dementia, he could die. If it were my dog, I would be very upset (to say the least, god help you).

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 08/12/2023 22:19

How about stopping the pile on and the band wagon jumping.
She's been told now. I can't stand ganging up. I don't know how many times do people need telling the dog is fine and in bed

Yetanothernewname101 · 08/12/2023 22:19

ChocolateCinderToffee · 08/12/2023 22:10

OP, dogs are like children. You don’t let them go off on their own. You should always know where they are.

They are completely unlike cats, which bugger off and come in at all hours like 20 year-olds.

Perfect comparison! 😂

Fiftyvines · 08/12/2023 22:26

Glad the dog is back indoors and safe but you were totally irresponsible. Too cold, wet and windy for you but ok for an old dog? Give over!

HerMammy · 08/12/2023 22:29

You left the dog outside for 4 hrs? glad it's not mine your looking after

Nickinoo22 · 08/12/2023 22:31

samcartersg1 · 08/12/2023 19:41

Have the kids not missed the dog?

I was thinking exactly the same! Surely this is a wind-up.. .

adorablecat · 08/12/2023 22:33

Good God, it's amazing how many people on Mumsnet would prioritise a dog over a sick child.

SnowyMcSnowball · 08/12/2023 22:34

Jesus, I'm glad you're not caring for my dog! Put a coat on and go look. Do you have a heart of stone?

Nickinoo22 · 08/12/2023 22:36

Glad the dog is in and safe but if it has such bad arthritis no way should it be left out in the cold and possibly wet weather!!

Nickinoo22 · 08/12/2023 22:36

DejaVoodoo · 08/12/2023 22:07

I hope there were no onions in that broth!

Exactly and high salt levels!

TempyBrennan · 08/12/2023 22:37

Jesus this isn’t real?

Chickenwing2 · 08/12/2023 22:40

adorablecat · 08/12/2023 22:33

Good God, it's amazing how many people on Mumsnet would prioritise a dog over a sick child.

A child can be left for 5 minutes to go and get the poor dog outside in the cold, wind and rain. This dog could have escaped and this person wouldn't even know (or care as she apparently was just going to go to bed!)

Really hoping this is a fake story, breaks my heart people would neglect someone's pet this way.

adorablecat · 08/12/2023 22:49

Chickenwing2 · 08/12/2023 22:40

A child can be left for 5 minutes to go and get the poor dog outside in the cold, wind and rain. This dog could have escaped and this person wouldn't even know (or care as she apparently was just going to go to bed!)

Really hoping this is a fake story, breaks my heart people would neglect someone's pet this way.

Show quote history

Meh. A dog will come back if it's cold or hungry enough.

AlwaysGinPlease · 08/12/2023 22:59

@adorablecat 🥱

Unless it's sick or hurt it has been taken/escaped. The dog is in the care of the op too unfortunately so she has a responsibility to both!

Diaria · 08/12/2023 23:03

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time 🤣🤣🤣

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