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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To never agree to this again?

200 replies

lastqueenofscotland · 16/05/2018 07:04

I agreed to dog and house sit for a colleague I’m friendly with while she goes to her sisters wedding and is away for a couple of weeks.
I grew up in the country with plenty of animals so perfectly used to most dogs however...
the house is filthy. The oven in particular is disgusting, none of the glasses were remotely clean, I ended up buying some paper cups

OP posts:
drinkingwinefeelingfine · 16/05/2018 07:54

Oh gross, no way would I stay. I'd tell her I was sick or had an emergency and either drop the dog to one of her friends/family or to a kennel.

LegoPiecesEverywhere · 16/05/2018 07:55

Is she paying you and if so how much? Either way I am sorry you have to go through this. The fact that she says she forgot to buy provisions for the dog tells me everything I need to know about her.

TERFragetteCity · 16/05/2018 07:56

She is a colleague - contact her and tell her the deal is off, and she needs to sort out kennels to pick the dog up as you are going home, and also reimburse you the cost of the food that you have bought.

I could not stay in a dirty house. Not for one night.

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 16/05/2018 07:56

Book the dog into kennels. Do you have his vax certificate?

Slartybartfast · 16/05/2018 07:56

There must be a way of getting hot water to wash up,
anyhow you have paper cups, or you could have bought your own stuff with you.
check out emersion heater

Floralnomad · 16/05/2018 07:56

Presumably you have her phone number so I’d call her and say that you are getting cleaners in to deep clean or the dog will be booked into local kennels ,her choice which she would rather pay for .

Slartybartfast · 16/05/2018 07:58

ridiculous suggestions above.
just get your marigolds on op,
bring your own kettle if you dont like hers Hmm

CoffeAndCream · 16/05/2018 07:59

Why can't use fill a bowl or bucket with hot water from the electric shower? I know it's not ideal but in your situation I would just clean the kitchen and make the best of it - it's either that or tell friend you are leaving.

I would be making it crystal clear to friend that the situation is unacceptable.

Did you get yourself into this without visiting her house????

Original poster
lastqueenofscotland · 16/05/2018 08:00

Had a good scout for an immersion heater and can’t find one, boiler just looks dead.

OP posts:
shortgreengiraffe · 16/05/2018 08:01

YANBU

What would she have done with the dog had you not been there?

I'd call her and say the dog is fine but you just need to chat to her about the arrangement. I wouldn't go in to the dirt but say because of the lack of hot water and the dog sleeping in the bed (and therefore you not sleeping) then unfortunately you can't stay. What would she like you to do with the dog?

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 16/05/2018 08:03

Boil the kettle, fill the sink with hot soapy water and clean the work tops and the cups and plates you'll be using.

Open the windows, hoover and polish and clean the loo.

How did you not know how bad it was before you got there? Has you never been before?

Littleredboat · 16/05/2018 08:03

Come on. It’s grim but you could sort the worst of it in an evening.

Boil wash her bedding or bring your own and put it on. Hoover bedroom floor.
Shut bedroom door so dog can’t get in again. Shut dog in living room at night.

Buy a packet of Oust and rescale kettle. Boil it, and use the water to give the kitchen a good scrub.

Use microwave if oven is too grim.

EnglishRose13 · 16/05/2018 08:05

Please tell me the sheets were clean, at least? I couldn't stay there. I'd let her know the dog needs to stay in kennels.

NanooCov · 16/05/2018 08:06

If the boiler looks dead I would certainly be booking dog into kennels and leaving. If she's this clueless about cleanliness then maintenance probably isn't up to much and I would be worried about carbon monoxide.

greendale17 · 16/05/2018 08:07

She “forgot” to leave loads of stuff for the dog so I’ve had to buy food/poo bags/ etc.

^She didn’t forget. She is taking advantage of you OP. I would tell her to organise alternative arrangements and leave.

Slartybartfast · 16/05/2018 08:10

A couple of weeks is a long time op?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 16/05/2018 08:16

Poor you - and poor dog!

If he/she is following you, a stranger, round when you are in the house, the animal is desperately distressed and worried that is has been abandoned.

Your colleague is a selfish bitch.

I'm funny about sleeping in someone else's bed at the best of times, but living in this degree of filth would make me ill. The house must stink.

You say your landlord lives in the flat above yours - how approachable is s/he?

Would they let you bring the dog home for a finite time (the rest of the fortnight) if you explained the circumstances and promised to ensure that your home was thoroughly cleaned afterwards? It's not like you are getting yourself a dog which could be there for 15 years.

There have got to be health hazards involved, too. If you can't find another solution, and you have to stay there (poor dog can'r just be abandoned - it needs company as well as feeding/walks) then could you clean and effectively live in the bedroom - treat it as a bedsit - take the kettle in there, watch TV on your laptop and just give that poor animal a bit of TLC. (Yes - I admit it - pets and kids are very high on my list of priorities, and I would personally put up with almost any discomfort to ensure they were okay. They don't get a say in where they go or what happens to them - it's awful for them).

Does she have a working washing machine/dryer - wash her sheets etc every day that you are there. Also - take photos of the squalor. If she complains about anything you've done to make like more comfortable for yourself, you will need proof of the state of the house.

This is horrible for you.

Slartybartfast · 16/05/2018 08:17

Please dont abandon the dog.

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/05/2018 08:17

Did you agree an emergency plan with the owner? What would happen if you sick etc? Someone to phone?

Use it?

RebootYourEngine · 16/05/2018 08:18

Why should the OP clean up the colleagues mess?

If it was me I would be contacting the colleague and telling them the arrangement is off and i would tell them why.

Doh9899 · 16/05/2018 08:19

U can't boil the kettle for hot water to wash up in?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 16/05/2018 08:20

She didn’t forget. She is taking advantage of you OP. I would tell her to organise alternative arrangements and leave.

I also agree with Greendale's comment, too.

You haven't said if you are being paid - be prepared to take her to the small claims court for ANY and EVERY penny that you are entitled to. If you have to buy another (cheap) kettle, dog food, cleaning materials - whatever - keep receipts and present her with a billet the end of your purgatory.

This isn't what you signed up for, and tbh, if there wasn't a vulnerable animal involved, I would suggest that you tell her to stick her filthy house, and never go back.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 16/05/2018 08:20

*bill at, not billet

Gemini69 · 16/05/2018 08:26

omg I couldn't physically stay in that house OP... Angry I feel heart sorry for you.. this will of course change your relationship with her ... she's taken the piss on a Massive scale..?! Flowers

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 16/05/2018 08:27

Why should the OP clean up the colleagues mess?

If the OP is going to stay there the answer is obvious.

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