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

[Scaramoose]

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?

I wouldn’t ask for money towards the slippers to be honest. Lots of people use crates when they leave destructive dogs alone. You were lucky it was your slippers not your sofa.

When I was reading your post I thought, "Really? She wants a contribution towards second-hand slippers and a dog bed that is presumably still usable? She's really going to ask for, what, £10?"

And then I saw £79.

No, I don't think you should ask her. It's not her fault you spend crazy money on slippers.

Sorry OP but this was rather your fault for leaving them where he could get them

Tbh I think you have to suck it up. I walk next doors puppy when they are at work. I sometimes (always) bring her in to my house for a play afterwards. She’s not totally housetrained but if she made a mess that would be my fault because I know she’s not reliable. Same goes for a chewer unfortunately.

I have never paid £79 for a pair of shoes, let alone slippers!

In the beginning you put good stuff out of the way so they didn't get chewed. Then you stopped of your own accord..... despite having been warned. YABU

Honestly op you've saved your fried a lot of money over the past few years, I would just say ,,,if he was my dog I'd offer to pay you the full amount (then cry inwardly that you don't shop at Primark)

I can see the reverse thread “friends wants payment cus my dog chewed her £79 slippers”!

I would just suck it up & replace the slippers & keep them out of doggies reach. He was clever, played the long game & finally got his paws on a pair!

Ps. My slippers were 40euro, I asked for them for Xmas. Real good thick sole for popping out to car/coal etc!

Just a little derail, but I have been looking at them - would you consider them a true fit?

Secret yes, they are a true fit!

Ohhhh it's like a rural version of that Sex in the City episode where Carrie's Manolos are stolen at the kids party and she wants the hostess (Tatum O Neal) to replace them.

KC

Thank you! I didn't want to customise and not be able to return them. 😀

They are very expensive slippers. I think you should show her the slippers and tell her how much they cost and they weren't that old and see what she has to say. If she doesn't offer you any cash then don't have her dog again. If she puts it in kennels it would be more expensive than your slippers. I am assuming that she doesn't pay you anything for looking after the dog.

In fairness, I get a pair of slippers that cost £20 or so every Christmas and they’re ruined by Easter. I’d spend £80 if they lasted a few years.

If she doesn't offer you any cash then don't have her dog again.

That's what I'd do as well. You've been doing her a huge favour.

Vivien no, she doesn't pay me. She may well just offer, as I said in the OP this is hypothetical really. She knows he hasn't done anything here before and has been here a lot, on and off.

Secrets customise...? Tell me more!

Fancy that's my theory too! I am trying to buy less, but make sure it lasts which works well in lots of ways (although sometimes I am regretting my smaller, admittedly better quality, wardrobe)

Fancy I previously had Shepherd one's, they are a bit cheaper but also last

I want a pair of those slippers now. They sound lovely.

If you don't get paid then I would mention it and hope for the best as you have saved them potential kennels fees of about £15 a day.

£79??? My last pair cost £7:99 and are still going strong five years later.

Not sure about this one. You were warned he was destructive two years ago and it's been your choice to leave him wandering when you look after him. But I do have sympathy too. My husband almost cried when the dog chewed his early edition of men in the moon. It could have chosen many cheap paperbacks but managed to winkle that from the book shelf without touching anything else...

Sorry I think YABU she warned you and you got complacent and left an expensive item where he could get them. Whether you save her money by looking after the dog is not relevant to this incident, your arrangement didn’t include payments. It’s up to you if you want to change that.

I bought some Mahabis two years ago, I was assured they’d last a lifetime. Erm, this is what they look like now

Leather-bound?