Friend asking for dog food 'compensation'

[dogbiscuitsareforlife]

What do you make of this.

One of my school mum friends, (I'll call her Mary) has a dog and we often bump into each other out for dog walks and walk along together. Not super close, but chatty and friendly

Last week Mary told me she had been let down by a dog sitter for a holiday. She couldn't find anyone so I offered to help. Our dogs get on well and I'm used to having more than one, although at the moment only have one. She asked how much I'd charge but I said no bother just provide his usual food and treats, which she did. Her dogs food is a superior top end brand to the food I give mine.

All was great whilst we had him, but when feeding, the dogs seemed to favour each others food and swapped between bowls. I didn't think too much of it but did mention it to one of the other mums at the school gates in a jokey way, saying my dog obviously preferred the more expensive brand to the supermarket stuff I provided. Whereas her dog really liked the cheaper stuff.

Mary has obviously been told and today asked me if I fed my dog her dogs food. I was a bit taken aback but explained the above and of course I did give her dog its own food but sometimes dogs want what the other dog has.

She was very cold and told me to compensate her for any tins I gave my dog as she wasn't there to provide for my animal! I'm totally bemused, I saved her £100's in dog sitting fees and although I'm not now going to charge her she must see she is totally unfair.

Or am I wrong and should I buy a pack of 4 tins to give her. My DH says ignore but I don't want bad feeling.

I’d definitely ignore that text. She’s mad! “Calling it quits” 😂😂
4 tins of dog food against 4 nights of dog sitting, no comparison.

‘Your gratitude for my dog sitting for you for 4 days is overwhelming!’

or just 👍

unbelievable.

God you have good restraint.... she's insanely rude!!!!! You've saved her a ton of money and gone out of your way to help her, I'd be avoiding her from this point on

Ps. I couldn't not reply with something like this suggested by @Billybagpuss 😆

“That’s an odd way of saying ‘I’m sorry I made a fuss about our dogs eating some of each other’s food, especially given the huge favour you did me.’ But yes, let’s move on.”

"That's very generous of you Mary to call things quits. I had no idea a few tins of dog food could cost more than you've saved in dog sitting fees".

How about going back to her: 'Thanks for your understanding. It's really kind of you not to charge me for the dog food.' On second thoughts - perhaps not as the sarcasm would be lost on her.

I would ignore it completely let her sit in her own discomfort of not knowing what you’re thinking. After that last message she’s not someone I would have an ounce of time for anyway.

A thumbs up might suggest you agree. Not everyone used it as a polite middle finger!

Do you know what, I've reconsidered and don't think you should reply anything whatsoever. She knows she was a dick given the back peddling but still won't apologise so I'd let her sit with being uncomfortable. I would just keep moving away if she tried to speak to me unless she was clearly opening with an apology. And I'd tell everyone who asked the truth. If you respond you are giving her ammunition to convinced herself that you somehow contributed to this situation. She's a rude ungrateful cow.

Definitely don't reply. I would still give her the bloody tins.

If she approaches you at the school gates, just back away while holding up a hand: "No, sorry, not available for dog sitting,bye.."

Every time. Make it clear you know what a user she is.

Good outcome. I sent her this thread and told her to behave.

I'm kidding lol

She’s got a nerve!

This 💯

Definitely don't reply. Let the silence speak for itself.

We await the thread in three months' time when she suddenly tries speaking to you again and has the audacity to ask The Question.

This!!!

Oh if ever a message needed a 👍 as a response it’s this one

She probably saw this thread 😂

How were you meant to stop the dogs from eating each others food? Maybe say 'when you have my dog for a week you'll see what happens' 😂

You are a better person than me. I'd like you to respond "On reflection, let's sort this out fairly. 4 nights dog sitting less 4 tins dog food = £xxxx. My bank details are..."

I would still give her the bloody tins.

OMG whhhyyyy?! Just shooting yourself in the foot!

I think I would be tempted to reply “🙄”, or carry out@BettyBardMacDonald‘s suggestion - though that would take more brass neck than I would ever have 😂

I think I'd be inclined to reply:

'A few mouthfuls of dog food, versus 4 nights of dog sitting, hmm, can't think who comes off best by letting this go, can you? Have you NO SHAME???'

Then see her squirm when she sees you in the school yard!

Remind her how much you saved her in dog sitting fees! She's ridiculous. Also, they are dogs - she must think her dog is as snooty as her!

When I went into hospital to have a c-section we paid over £1,000 in dog sitting fees for a month (no one else could have her for me) and she was returned with a matted coat and having been let off her lead during walks against my instruction (her recall has always been terrible and I was worried she'd never find her way home as she was staying somewhere unfamiliar in the middle of nowhere!). I had to have her basically shaved to deal with the matting (she's a poodle cross).

Do not buy this woman anything and please tell her you won't be able to do her any favours in future.

Why do you think someone who’s already shown themselves as completely shameless would squirm?