I looked after a friend's dog and cat as a favour and on return they have given me money

[Dameputtingonabraveface]

Just this really. A newish friend has a quite needy rescue dog (does not cope with doggy day care, kennels or walks, needs booking into a dog park). As a result, she and her husband do not really go away together unless a close family member can have the dog. They recently all went away as a family and I agreed to stay and spent lots of time visiting in the weeks leading up so dog in question knew me.

I stayed at their house for 2 weeks, went to work in the day (dog used to this, and I went back for lunch as office just 10 mins away). Before work I would go back to mine to feed and spend time with my cats (I foster and also have adopted too many) and do the same on the way home. I went home for a couple of hours about 3 times to spend some time with them and also spent a bit of time at the weekends.

My friend came home last night and when I took the keys back today, they gave me a Thank You card with £200 in! This just seems too much and makes me feel quite awkward. When I messaged them this, they told me they appreciated that I 'looked after their babies' but I was just helping out as a friend! We both just work in the public sector and she is on a lower grade than me (although has a husband so dual income).

It feels weird accepting this and I wondered what other people think?

They shouldn’t expect to have to pay a friend so much to look after their dog.

But it’s nice they want to. So, if they insist, then accept it. Though may have tax, UC, contract implications.

In a world of CFers, it is wonderful to hear about decent people doing things for other people.

You went out of your way for your friend. Good on you. I would love a friend like you.

Your friend did the right thing by treating you and showing her appreciation of your considerable effort. Good on her.

Normal, good humans at work. I needed this thread today.

@Dameputtingonabraveface had they not have given you a gift or something as a Thank you, it would had been a pisstake. Just accept it gracefully, they did the right thing. I had a friend stay at mine to look after my dog, I bought her a really expensive perfume that she loved, filled the fridge and freezer and left a voucher for a food shop. As a dog owner, knowing that your baby is looked after is worth way more than £200.

Someone else might have already said this, but maybe they’re making sure you don’t try and get them to cat sit for free!

She is a friend........ A friend who doesnt want to take advantage of you.
You did a lot, and saved them a lot if expense and money. They are grateful.

Please don't try and give them the money back another way. You did loads for them and Im sure they are extremely grateful. If they had to pay someone to do what you did it would cost a lot more particularly considering the time you spent getting to know the dog.

OP I walk a dog every day for an elderly neighbour who is physically unable to walk him since she suffered a fall a few years ago. I love walking this dog it's a real pleasure for me ( I am retired) and it gets me out and about and I've met some lovely and interesting people whilst out with the dog.
My neighbour, every now and again puts some money in an envelope and insists I take it, I feel (like you did) very awkward as I love my "walks" and it all seems very unnecessary, I guess it makes her feel better and I expect your friend felt like it was showing her appreciation of you.

Spend it on a nice meal out with the couple?

Not weird at all and i’m sure they are incredibly grateful to you. Sounds like they asked you due to the dog’s nervousness, not because they wanted to save money, so are happy to pay. Just accept and don’t feel bad. 2wks is a long time for you to stay at someone else’s home.

That is so lovely of you OP. She will be massively grateful that there is someone they trust enough to care for their pup, and this was a big ask (especially of someone with their own pet responsibilities- you balanced it all awesomely!). It’s hard to show someone just how valuable this was, I think she made a lovely gesture when there is little else she can do to show how much she appreciates you and what you did. I know if I trusted someone enough to look after our darling but very troubled pooch so we could go away, I would be similarly in awe and grateful. Spend it on something lovely you otherwise wouldn’t have done, I’m sure your friend wants that for you!!!!

Accept it it was cheaper than boarding the pets and a lot better for them too

Accept gracefully! You did them a huge favour

You both sound like really nice people to be honest.

OP, it means that they respect your time and do not take the favour for granted. Gratefully thank them for the money and either spend it on something nice, or put it towards something nice!

Very nice of her and well earned. Treat yourself now after looking after the pets. There are so many people out there complaining about friends/ family relying on them for animal care and they never feel appreciated!

I paid my friend the same rate I did for the current rate on the Rover app. Why should I pay my friend less than a stranger?

I think it’s really sweet of her & it’s prob less than the kennels would cost anyway. Don’t make it awkward for her by paying it back, just let her know you weren’t expecting it & thank you

A friend comes in to feed my cat, I always pay her. I'm happy to.

It might seen a lot of money but l bet it is a lot less than the cost of a dog hotel.

Thank them, take the money and enjoy yourself. You derserve it.

A professional house/ dog sitter would have cost them far more than this so accept their thank you gift!

I would accept it gracefully but also make it clear that you would happily do it again for a duty free Toblerone if it means they can get away more frequently (if this is the case (it’s my understanding it is)).

As the owner of a VERY needy dog, who I know would not cope in kennels, she is just extremely grateful you looked after her dog so well.
I'm going to a family wedding soon and am paying the best part of £100 for 2 dogs to be looked after in someone's home for just one night!
I know you didn't ask for or expect the payment but from her perspective, it's the least she could do.

Sooooo cute!!!

I had similar when a very close colleague, someone who occasionally managed me actually (but someone I considered a friend) asked me to babysit last minute as she’d been let down. Baby was already in bed, I did nothing but read a book and listen out for baby on monitor. I was more than happy to help, wasn’t a problem at all and I let her know this.
A few days later I came home to find a card with £40 in it. I didn’t know how to feel to be honest, it felt like it had reduced our friendship to a business transaction when I was genuinely happy to just help her out.
I felt sad about it rather than happy.

A friendship made of lovely people. You were willing to help your friends and they showed you how much valued they appreciated your help