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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pet/house sitting and sleeping arrangements

39 replies

Fros · 02/08/2021 01:29

I'm currently pet/house sitting for 10 days.

Friend desperately needed a break but due to covid funds were too tight. They were offered the chance to stay at a relatives place (touristy area) while relatives were away, but absolutely no pets.
For complicated reasons, I ended up being the only feasible option for pet/house sitter for these dates.

But to do this, I've had to use my holiday days, and arrange for someone else to look after my pets.
My pet-sitter refused to take payment -so I've left cash for a takeaway, arranged a grocery delivery with food (and drink) for the 10 days, and they had the choice of bed/rooms.

With money being a bit short, I didn't expect my friend to offer to pay me for pet/house sitting, or to order groceries for me, but I didn't even get a "help yourself to the fridge/freezer/cupboard" or a box of chocs - food wasn't mentioned at all.

What I'm really irritated about though are the sleeping arrangements: when I got here I was told they'd already set up the airbed and that there's an electric pump if I need to re-inflate it during my stay (in a room that it doesn't even have a door, and with bobbly sheets too Sad)

There are 3 beds in the house and I'm the only person here for the 10 days, am I really being unreasonable to expect to sleep in a proper bed? especially when I know they're sleeping in other people's beds while they're away?

OP posts:
PumpkinKlNG · 02/08/2021 01:31

Why on earth did you agree to this Confused

Aquamarine1029 · 02/08/2021 01:34

I think I might have just had a stroke because there's no way I've read what I think I have...

You have used your holiday time to house and pet sit for someone else, while you had to get a house and pet sitter for your pets?

This can't possibly be correct because it is literally the most batshit thing ever.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 02/08/2021 01:35

👆👆👆

Sparklesocks · 02/08/2021 01:39

I’d be getting into a bed ¯\(ツ)/¯

DismantledKing · 02/08/2021 01:41

The very definition of ‘doormat’

SleepingStandingUp · 02/08/2021 01:41

Does your friend live near you?

Puncture the bed and sleep in hers woth clean sheets.

LagunaBubbles · 02/08/2021 01:43

And you took annual leave for this? Are you completely mad?!

Woolywolf · 02/08/2021 01:43

Obviously sleep in a bed. But why couldn’t your house/pet sitter stay at theirs instead of you-would they not trust your recommendation

XelaM · 02/08/2021 01:53

My best friend actually did this for me - took annual leave to take care of our dog (at her insistence!) but of course I paid her for it! Anything else is totally mad

raffle · 02/08/2021 01:59

You used your A/L to look after someone else’s pets…whilst paying someone to look after your own house and pets? Is this correct? I’m lost for words! You are an amazing friend, far better than me or any of my friends! Is there a reason your pet sitter didn’t just sit for your friend?

Original poster
Fros · 02/08/2021 02:17

Close friend (godparent to kids, spend birthdays/holidays together type of thing) which is why the bed thing is baffling me. I knew they'd had guests stay on airbeds in the past, but the beds were occupied then anyway.

When I originally agreed it was a shorter holiday, and it would have only been a couple of days leave. Unfortunately my shifts changed, I couldn't arrange to swap, and I didn't want to let them down.

Next town over kind of distance.

Just as I'm doing a close friend a favour, my petsitter is doing me a favour, these two people don't know each other.
There are other considerations that would probably be a bit too outing - I know friend isn't currently on here, but I have coworkers who definitely are. I understand why I was the only real option which was why I agreed to it.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 02/08/2021 02:22

Just text her and say the air bed has given you a bad back so you'll sleep in her room and change the sheets. It's not like you're fornicating on her 3 yo's princess bed!

Kalvinette · 02/08/2021 05:10

Ignore your CF friends rule and sleep in a bed

Shoxfordian · 02/08/2021 05:44

Don’t agree to it again!

Move into a bedroom as well, silly to sleep on an air bed when there’s beds to sleep in

MangoBiscuit · 02/08/2021 05:56

Your "friend" is taking the piss. I'm with SleepingStandingUp, tell your friend that you found the airbed very uncomfortable, so you need to sleep in a real bed for the remainder. If she has a problem with this, then tell her you're not able to stay given the unexpected conditions.

Icecreamsoda99 · 02/08/2021 07:21

WTAF, why would you agree to this?!? Your friend is a complete and utter user. Seriously OP have a word with yourself for being such a doormat.

Muma1992 · 02/08/2021 07:29

Now you've written it down, can you look back and pretend it's someone else asking for advice, see what you would say to them?

Youve taken annual leave and arranged for someone else to care for your pets, so you can pet sit for free for someone else so they can have a holiday and on top of that, they expect you to sleep on the floor

You have given up annual leave and time home with your pets and money for your pet sitters food/takeaway and you get nothing, but your friend gets a holiday

I would not have agreed to this and my friends wouldn't expect it

Teacupsandtoast · 02/08/2021 07:29

Just sleep in a bed? How is she going to know where you slept?

icedcoffees · 02/08/2021 07:31

Why on earth did you agree to do this?

Alaimo · 02/08/2021 07:32

Im going to stay for a week later this month and have someone coming to house/pet sit. I never even considered not offering them my bed while I am away.

If I were you, I'd choose a bed, wash the sheets before you leave and never even mention it.

Mrstreehouse · 02/08/2021 07:33

I would text her and say air bed massively uncomfortable, you are decamping to a bed.

Wjevtvha · 02/08/2021 07:33

That’s really off that she didn’t give you a bed when there’s 3 that are free and even more so when you’re doing her a favour

Bagelsandbrie · 02/08/2021 07:34

Wow that is so unreasonable of your friend! I don’t even know where to start!

Mumdiva99 · 02/08/2021 07:36

My parents are coming to cat sit later this month. I asked what bed they want to sleep in. And offered to film the fridge.

Mumdiva99 · 02/08/2021 07:37

...fill the fridge. (I tried filming it before but it didn't do much....)

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