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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hope / expect for a contribution towards damaged items...?

119 replies

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:31

I look after a friends dog, probably for a total of about 3-5 weeks a year with the off few days here and there and the occasional week if my friend goes on holiday.

He's a lovely dog, but she warned me that he can be destructive. The first times we had him we were very careful about leaving things he might chew lying around (eg shoes) but he has been fine. We have been having him stay for close on two years now and there have never been any incidents so we gradually became more laid back about leaving things out.

However... I came back in last week (we had him for 10 days) and the bugger had eaten my slipper and chewed a hole in my dogs bed. I was both shocked and pissed off as he has never shown any inkling to be like this since we have been having him, and it's not like it's a recent arrangement. The dog bed was reasonably old and worn but my slippers were £79 and about a year old (I try and buy things to last me as long as possible, and generally they do!)

My friend isn't unreasonable or thoughtless so hopefully this is all hypothetical but would you think it reasonable of me to want to have some kind of contribution towards getting some replacement slippers at the very least...? I know she warned me about the chewing but it's surely understandable that this appeared less of a risk the more he stayed with no issues - or is it my fault for not continuing to hide things away?

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NeedFlicks · 05/04/2018 18:39

Eighty quid for slippers!!! Fucking hell eighty quid! Shock

Tinkobell · 05/04/2018 18:39

Wow, they must have been nice slippers - UGGS? you shouldn't have left em out really ...some people do give their dogs slippers as comforters. I think I'd mention it .....and say "he's got expensive taste and only likes expensive x brand slippers...not cheapos" - see if she takes the lead and offers to stump up. Have them handy to show. I wouldn't have a show down about it but at least try. If she doesn't, maybe decline to have him next time.

LovingLola · 05/04/2018 18:40

my slippers were £79

Are they Mahabis?

Bluelady · 05/04/2018 18:41

She did warn you so I'd say you have to suck it up.

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:42

Lola yes, they were! We have a flagstone floor in the kitchen and Im also always (it feels like) popping outside hence I needed some warm one's that I could go outside in! In my defence, the last pair of slippers I had lasted me six years (which kind of dilutes the price...!)

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PortiaCastis · 05/04/2018 18:43

Jesus £79 for slippers !!!

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:44

This is going to morph into a slippers thread isn't it...

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Minisoksmakehardwork · 05/04/2018 18:44

Oooh. Was going to say mahabis. Seems like they are worth the investment then.

allchangenochange · 05/04/2018 18:46

I think a problem may be that if I heard my dog had destroyed a year old pair of slippers I would be thinking 20 quid max. The onus was on you not to leave expensive stuff lying around but you are helping your friend so she may well offer you something.

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:47

Mini if they are NOT eaten by a dog, then yes! I liked them as they are warm and light. Never bothered taking the detachable sole off though, that seems a bit gimmicky. I get really cold feet and they do / did the job well

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TSSDNCOP · 05/04/2018 18:48

Yes OP it is. Unlucky the dog decided to chew them, but given Fido has a predilection for chewing you could’ve bet he’d pick the nice expensive slippers and should have put them out of reach.

lollipopjones · 05/04/2018 18:48

Sorry YABU. You left your slippers where he could get them. You were in charge of the dog so it's your fault.

I'm now off to google Mahabis as I love a nice slipper Grin

picklemepopcorn · 05/04/2018 18:50

I'd be upset if I needed to contribute to a friend's £80 slippers, because I'd never spend that much. That said, he's a regular guest so she is saving on kennel fees.

TSSDNCOP · 05/04/2018 18:50

I just googled them though. I would’ve cried when I saw them all chewed.

Fruitcorner123 · 05/04/2018 18:51

I don't think you can expect her to pay. She told you he chews things. She can't be responsible for him when he is in your care. If she had been visiting with him then it would be reasonable but what if he had chewed your £1000 sofa? She can't watch him which is why she asks you to.

Having said that you were doing her a favour and I assume not taking payment so asking her for a contribution isn't unreasonable. I don't think I would though.

RB68 · 05/04/2018 18:51

Sorry but I think you have to suck it up - you were warned and you let your guard slip and they are particularly expensive slippers

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:52

I don't get paid no, I just have him as he's lovely. And, until SlipperGate, has never put in a paw wrong in the two years he has been coming!

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flowerslemonade · 05/04/2018 18:52

awwwwww they look so cute, i want some.

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:53

And two years is quite a long time to have not put a paw wrong too!

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TSSDNCOP · 05/04/2018 18:53

He’s been biding his time OP Grin

UpOver · 05/04/2018 18:53

I don't think you can ask her to pay. She told you he was a chewer and he chewed. It wouldn't be unreasonable for you to not watch him again though.

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:54

Flowers they are lovely! And if you get a pair, and need a spare right one, I can pop it in the post!

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Juells · 05/04/2018 18:55

As a dog-owner, I'd be looking at the cost of kennels and/or dog walkers, and thinking £79 for two years worth of dog sitting was cheap.

In your slippers, I'd claim they were shoes.

Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:55

TSS he bloody has, yes!

In his sort of defence, apparently he hasn't done anything like this for ages anywhere else either - I don't know if that makes it better or worse!

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Scaramoose · 05/04/2018 18:56

Juells its normally £20 a night where I am for home boarding (not sure about kennel costs)

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