Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Devora13 · 17/05/2018 17:59

I looked after multiple dogs once in a place that sounds equally grim. The only good thing was there was a guest apartment that hadn't been contaminated, and I was getting paid. Always used to check out the place before I agreed to sit though.

Crushedgrapesworkforme · 17/05/2018 18:00

It sounds a shite deal OP.... the least she could do was sort out house, clean house, fresh cotton sheets and dog food etc. we have friends who have house minded for our pets .. we stock the pantry, wine out and leave detailed list of how things work (remotes, heating, etc).. emergency details..
sounded like she was thinking of herself ... not grateful of the favour...

I get people have different house standards, if people are doing you a favour you “should” lift your game!! Or leave enough booze & cash to seek forgiveness

Sorry

TheWernethWife · 17/05/2018 18:03

I would contact your colleague and tell her to come back now and sort this out or you will take pictures of her pigsty of a house and put them on Facebook. She is just a cheeky fucker with a masters in cheeky fuckery.

NoMorePills · 17/05/2018 18:16

OMD I feel for you

Good that you got the kettle from your place

I'd be contacting her and asking her to find someone else to live in her shit tip or she's got to pay you.

mycatistoofat · 17/05/2018 18:22

OP what is in this for you? Are you being paid?

I would leave the dog there and go back home, visit the dog a couple of times a day to walk, feed and check. Tell her that's what you're doing and why very firmly.

I am amazed at the posters suggesting the OP rolls up her sleeves and cleans someone else's disgusting house!

Toomanyspotsforagrownup · 17/05/2018 18:23

Think about what you’re going to say tho .... how would you like it if someone turned to you and said your house was a dirty mess (whether it was or wasn’t - maybe she can’t see it the way you do)
It would be very embarrassing for everyone

Perhaps ...I got a new kettle the last one broke and she’ll know if you cleaned cos everything will be clean she could be embarrassed just by that

PeachyPeachTrees · 17/05/2018 18:28

Do not clean the house!

coconutbun · 17/05/2018 18:30

This is giving me horrible flashbacks of the time I was cat-sitting for a sweet little old couple my mum worked with - the house was absolutely crawling, the forest it was built beside was beginning to grow through the windows and cockroaches EVERYWHERE! 🤢

LoislovesStewie · 17/05/2018 18:30

I would phone the RSPCA and ask their advice re caring for the dog. I don't think any animal should be living in that sort of filth.If an inspector visits and agrees it is detrimental to the welfare of the dog then they can sort it. What arrangements were made in case the poor dog because ill?

Lisapops · 17/05/2018 19:01

@steppemum do you realise how patronising and derogatory your post sounds about your ‘friend’ obviously having mental health issues as she doesn’t hold down a job and is not near and tidy! Wow!!

Gabilou · 17/05/2018 19:14

@steppemum I have mental health problems and I hold down a job and have a clean and tidy house. We do come in all shapes and sizes...

KateMcCallisterHAmom · 17/05/2018 19:21

Lois, dogs ARE filth - they lick their own bums, eat shit, eat vomit, eat shit vomit, roll in shit - that is literally what they do. NOT worth wasting the RSPCA's time with a phonecall!

SteveMcGarrettsBudgieSmugglers · 17/05/2018 19:34

it sounds grim, and very much like someone I used to know. I would be very tempted to tell her that something, you think its the dust or dirt has bought on your asthma and you have to go home

Smudge100 · 17/05/2018 19:39

Don’t see why you should spring clean someone else’s house for them even if there is hot water! That wasn’t part of the deal. If she can’t be bothered to make sure you’re comfortable while she’s away, there’s no reason why you + dog shouldn’t jump ship. Be aware, however, that this will unsettle the dog, which has already had its routine upset my the owner’s absence, so it may become a bit clingy and whiney. The dog won’t be bothered by the squalor, indeed may well have contributed to it, and will not understand why it has been removed from its familiar environment.

LoislovesStewie · 17/05/2018 19:39

I know that dogs are filthy (mine ate a rotting hedgehog!), but they are still entitled to be treated well under the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act.Specific mention is made to providing advice to prevent suffering and if the house really is filthy then the owner needs to be given that appropriate advice.I don't think it is a waste of time to request at least some general telephone advice and to make them aware.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 17/05/2018 19:47

Grim. Has she replied to your message yet? Is she paying you?

CocoaGin · 17/05/2018 19:52

Poor dog. You get to go back home in 2 weeks. He's stuck there Sad

GabsAlot · 17/05/2018 20:02

maybe she does have problems not really fair on op though

poor dog aswell-maybe find a frfiend who can have the dog for a bit while you gohome

AnneLovesGilbert · 17/05/2018 20:03

OP is doing her a favour Toomanyspotsforagrownup, the least she can expect is house worthy of habitation and not a disgusting hole of filth.

She won't be embarrassed, she clearly has no shame as she thinks it's okay to invite someone into her home when it's in this state.

Ifeelsuchafool · 17/05/2018 20:15

Oh dear! My student daughter found herself in a similar situation when dog sitting for one of my colleagues last summer. It was terrible. Luckily I don't live too far away so she popped here every evening for a shower, a change of clothes and a decent meal cooked in a clean kitchen. Colleague messaged her a few weeks ago to find out what week/s she might be free this summer. Suddenly she is working full time all summer. I had no idea! Wink

PieAndPumpkins · 17/05/2018 20:32

I don't understand why you are staying? Why didn't you just tell this girl her house is disgusting, she needs to arrange something else for the dog?

mycatistoofat · 17/05/2018 20:34

To be fair I doubt the dog cares if the glasses are filthy or the sheets haven't been changed as long as he is fed and watered, exercised etc

Crazyunicornlady · 17/05/2018 20:46

I’d be leaving the dog with the dog warden or RSPCA and going home. it doesn’t sound like she should be responsible for an animal of any sort

Clarich007 · 17/05/2018 21:03

Sorry, but why lie about it, saying you have a bad back or emergency.
She must know how dirty the house is. Most people would spend days cleaning the house before having a house/ dog sitter to stay.
Friend or not she's not thinking of your feelings , having to stay in a dirty house.So why spare her feelings.Sorry

DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg · 17/05/2018 21:13

I haven't read the thread, but you don't actually need hot water to wash a cup - in both of the houses, in two countries I lived in asia, the kitchen had no hotwater. All washing up done in cold (well, luke warm, it was tropical after all) water. All perfectly clean.