To think neighbours are odd?

[PinkPosey6]

I live in a row of townhouses/terraces. My new next door neighbours asked whether I'd be willing to look after their small dog when they went on holiday for a week, feeding, letting out, walking etc.

I said no problem, I wanted to be a good neighbour, but was a bit daunted as I dont have a dog myself and neighbour is understandably very precious about their dog, it's like a child to them. They also commented about professional dog sitters costing a fortune.

Whilst they were away I did as asked, she had emailed a long list of instructions, the dog is very sweet and docile but has a very precise mix of wet and dry food etc. I also sanitised his eating area daily and poop a scooped in the garden and one daily walk. In total I probably spent about one hour per day across the three visits. I even cancelled going to some after work drinks as needed to be home for the dog.

I washed a section of the floor as asked (daily), where he trod mud in from the garden. I emailed updates and photos as asked, received some additional instructions as apparently i had put on his lead slightly wrongly (they have security cameras). I found it to be a lot of responsibility but I did it to be a good neighbour.

They got back a week ago and have blanked me since then. No word of thanks. They haven't directly walked towards me outside but could easily have done so to catch up and say thanks. Is it not bizarre not to thank a neighbour who has helped like this?

Do this!!!

I looked after a neighbours cats a few years ago, despite a couple of days before I broke my wrist so was in a lot of pain but didn't want to let them down. Apparently she had left a small box of chocolates in a cupboard for me as a thank you. Well unless I was a big snoop I'd never had seen them or even assumed they were for me. She took great pride after in saying they were meant for me as a thank you but as I didn't take them,they ate them 🙄😮😡

I think we can see why no friends or family would watch the dog and they had to ask a neighbor they barley know!

I once looked after two cats belonging to neighbours whilst they went on holiday for a week. The male was the son of a friend who lived 1/4 mile away but didn't drive. The cats were indoor cats so I went across twice a day to change the litter, give them fresh food and water, make sure they were OK. This was in addition to looking after my own three dogs and three cats plus running a business from home. The couple called to say thank you when they returned from holiday with a box of Matchmakers for me, which were 99p at the time. Cheap skates! Months later my friend received an invoice from the vets for over £100 which it turns out was for routine treatment for her son's two cats. My friend had a couple of dogs registered at the same practice and the son had told the vet it would be OK to put his cats' treatment onto his mum's account. Both he and his girlfriend pleaded poverty so my friend ended up footing the bill. The cheek of some people!

Thanks for the replies. I certainly won't be helping again. I do understand why no one else wanted to do it - they must have form for this using behaviour!

When they first asked me I had no idea that there would be a list of tasks such as washing a section of floor, that only came the day they left. They aren't poor and I'd have thought they'd be very appreciative and usually someone would give a token gift even for feeding the fish.

Lesson learned I won't help again. They'll have to pay someone next time. Good luck poor soul

I have a neighbour like this. She thinks she is above everyone. Sweet as pie when she wants something. Beware the manipulation. She used to have a youngish man (who had had a kind of heart transplant) to do her shopping during the lockdown. She is only in her 60s. They will try to get you to do it again...and their demeanour may be laced with sugar when they approach so watch out.

Knock on their door and ask if they are ok , do you have to give the key back ?
So ungrateful

I think they really asked too much of you. They wanted your help for free instead of paying an actual pet sitter.

I would send them a message, say you really don’t like to judge but you’ve been thinking about it and they’re really awful people for going away and not taking their dog with them. That it was good you were there to take care of the poor thing, but that you really don’t think a loved member of the family should be left behind.

How awfully rude of them. Next time you see them, give them a cheery wave. Force them to thank you.

and never do anything for them ever again.

You have to let them know how rude they've been to someone doing them an enormous favour, OP! They've treated you abominably. And also that they are irresponsible dog owners by leaving the poor thing alone for so long with just daily visits. Of course you probably didn't realise that aspect of it before if you're not a dog person.

I would write it all out in a letter and put through their door, don't let them think they can just get away with it. Of course you could discreetly let other neighbours know what happened 😊.

I hope none of the neighbours ever does so much as take in a parcel for them again.

You have to tell the other neighbours what ungrateful, stingy, cheeky fuckers they are, so neighbours can say no when they’re asked for “little favours”.

Lesson learned - no more favours.

I also dont get why dog owners do this. An hour company per day is NOT enough for a dog. My MIL is also the same - she goes away and gets neighbour to "pop" in a few times a day to their elderly dog. A dog that is used to people being there 24/7. Thankfully, the dog is no longer with us to suffer that any longer.

When I go away, I factor the cost of my dog going to boarding into my holiday costs, and the boarding I send my dog too is brilliant and with that, its expensive.

Anyone who leaves their dogs home alone for most of the day, should be done for cruelty IMO. Their needs are NOT being met with someone "popping in" a few times a day. Imagine leaving a dog for 23 hours out of 24! Madness!

I think you were used.

Minimally you deserved a gift and card. Don't do this again

I've just been on holiday and paid for a real dog sitter (in their home, so dog wasn't on her own all week either!) and I brought them wine and sweets from the country as a gift!

This - wtf - poor dog.