Asked friend to dog sit and she said 'it was a bit inconvenient'

[Terracottafarmers]

I've asked my good friend, who’s really good with our dog, if she’d be able to look after her while we’re away for a couple of nights in December. Normally I’d ask my parents, but since they’ll be away with us, we don’t have anyone else to help.

When I asked her, she said she’d let me know, but this is already the second time I’ve had to bring it up (even though she’s looked after our dog a handful of times before). This time she made a comment I found a bit odd 'Well, you haven’t chosen dates Diana that are exactly easy'. .

I just find the comment a little strange, you either can or you can’t. To be honest, it’s made me feel like I’m being a bit of an inconvenience even asking her. The only thing is, I know if I go back and say we’ve found someone else, she’ll probably get annoyed that we chose another option.

AIBU to feel a bit taken aback?

The poor woman may well have a life of her own. She's not your on-call dog sitter. You're being very presumptuous.

It’s rude to ask twice. You asked once and she didn’t get back to you so look for another arrangement. Also, what planet are you on that you don’t realise that December is a very busy month and no one wants an extra obligation at that time. Finally deciding that someone else won’t be inconvenienced by doing you a favour (even a much smaller favour than this huge favour you are asking) is ridiculous. People are ALWAYS inconvenienced by doing you a favour as time spent doing something for you is time they can’t spend doing something for themselves. How can you not realise this?

Happy to translate for you OP.

No, your friend doesn't want to look after your dog on those dates.

Next !

Your friend doesn’t want to dog sit on those dates. She’s trying to be tactful by saying the dates are inconvenient, but the reality is that on this occasion you need to either book a dog sitter or put your dog in kennels for the time you are away. Obviously this will be added expense, but so be it. (I’m assuming your friend hasn’t charged you for dog sitting in the past). It’s quite a big ask on your part, especially in December.

Get kennels or another dog sitter booked for goodness sake .
that is a big ask of someone busy , I’d never do that

She doesn’t want to do it…
if you asked her already a “handful” of times, she might start to feel you won’t be asking someone else but her…which is what I read too…so yeah, inconvenience.
Find a place for your dog or bring your dog with you and make plans for it before booking.

This. Sounds like an entirely reasonable from your friend, maybe more helpful to have just explained that she couldn't

God bless everyone who is still responding but she aint coming back

You’re probably right 😂

You are entitled to make a request; requestee is entitled to say no.

Oh come on op, its in December, the most busiest time of the year. Xmas shopping, wrapping, decorating the house, xmas parties, family get togethers. I wouldnt want to leave my house and dog sit in another persons that time of year either. You sound very entitled and put out that your friend has a life outside your friendship. Just accept she said no and move on.

You say she’s looked after your dog a handful of times previously, how did you thank her? Did you get her a thank you present? It’s a big ask you wanting her to have your dog particularly in a busy month like December and when it’s a bit chilly for dog walks. You should not have asked twice, once should have been enough to tell she wasn’t keen but had difficulty saying no.

I use Rover, it's a great app. You can meet the dog sitter first and it's pretty reasonable. Yabu to expect your friend to do this.

My friend has a dog, I walk it for her a couple of times a week and she’ll occasionally ask if I can help her out by popping in and letting her dog out for wee because she’s on training or working late… when she recently was having building work done I picked him up for his usual walk with me… asked builders if they were there all day, they were (till 5) so I walked doggo and took him home with me to mine… text friend said dog was with me and I dropped him back after builders had gone…
When she books a holiday I get a text asking if I can have him for a week…. I say ‘yep let me know the dates’…. And he has a weeks holiday with us!

if your friend isn’t giving a straight answer then I’d assume she doesn’t really want to help you sadly… I would message her and simply say
‘hey BF, don’t worry about dog sitting in December, I’ll ask around and hopefully find someone else’ x

It's a huge ask.

And she probably means that around Christmas is a busy time.

I live in fear of people asking me to dogsit for them. I really don't want to.

Why would anyone want to look after someone else's dog unless they would ideally like one of their own but for some reason can't?

I think she's tried to be diplomatic instead of just saying "no, its a total pain and I wish you wouldn't ask", and I'm surprised you've been offended by it.

Yes Yabu. She clearly doesn't want to do it anymore. Find an alternative and consider the matter closed.

Please stop asking her. She doesn’t want to do it. It’s hard leaving your dog - I understand but she doesn’t want the hassle.

She’s trying to be polite and avoid an outright “no” to a friend. She doesn’t want to do it, so get somebody else.

😂😂

It is December, in UK, so of course it is inconvenient. Presumably, weekend. Everybody is shopping, wrapping, visiting friends, or exhausted from the above and wants to sit on the sofa underneath a nice blanket with a hot choc.
Just find another dog sitter.

What a beautiful, kind, generous soul you are
Your friend & sweet dog are immensely blessed to have you

December is usually a crazy month and she probably doesn't know what plans she'll have to turn down at this stage should she take your dog on.