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?

i would absolutely love someone to do this with our needy dog. It’s a huge commitment so take the money and be thankful they haven’t taken the piss….

Rather than cash I would’ve given vouchers or a gift. But yes you did them a massive favour which saved them loads of money.

What do your respective grades have to do with it @Dameputtingonabraveface ?

You have done a huge favour. For reference my cat sitter comes in once a day for two cats and it costs £12.50 per visit and that's mates' rates. £87.50 pw.

You have given far more, and I reckon the going rate for what you have done is probably closer to £400.

Take the money, it means they feel able to ask you again. Nurture the side hussle.

I love that you are buying animal food with this. We also take in friends' dogs for holiday cover as a favour so that we can ask them to have our elderly girl when we go away (rarely). We were given £200 for a three week stay too which was an unexpected treat but usually it's just a bottle. We are paying £75 a day in July for someone to house and dogsit here.

They would have spent more on kennels AND been much more relaxed having your help. Our cat sitters are pretty good, but we feel bad if our cat gets the "wrong" sitter from the agency!

Just take the money and donate it if you feel bad

It’s 2 weeks of dog care that would have cost them more. I’d say the relief they had was huge that it worked out so they paid it forward to you! Just enjoy!!

It’s extremely rude to refuse money like this. She has given it to you freely, she wants to do it. It’s for her as much as it is you. Accept it graciously.

How lovely of them…maybe they feel that they can ask you again if they are paying you?

It cost me £225 to board my not-at-all needy dog for a week. Your friend has saved money, you have gained money as a sign of her appreciation. Sounds like a win/win situation to me. Fully appreciate that you were helping a friend but some folks don't like to have free help, it makes them feel like they are taking advantage. My neighbour regularly takes things to the tip for me, every time I send him some petrol money he says I don't want paying for helping. As far as I am concerned, I need to pay my way and his services are cheaper than hiring a skip so everyone wins.

Give it to the next 10 people who beg off me, £20 each so they could buy drugs and alcohol.

It's exactly what she has done.

You were happy to give her the gift of dog care but by paying you she's turned it into a transaction.

You have simply become her cheap employee.

They want to thank you for taking care of their babies and for the same service around my area it would cost £300 per week so you gave them a good deal x

I pay for in-home boarding for my dog when I’m away and it’s £350 a week. You have saved them money and they want to show their gratitude. I think it’s nice 🙂

Having someone care for your pets whilst you are in holibibs is priceless, accept it and enjoy 😀

Thanks everyone who replied. I met with my friend today, told her it was totally not expected and not necessary, I was happy to do it as a favour as she is a friend. She was insistent and said she had discussed it with family members, who all said they would do the same and she refused to take any money back.

We have agreed it is therefore also forward payment for any future care. Whilst I understand it is no where near the cost than kennels/house sitters, this was never an option.

For those who have said this was a transaction that basically put a value on our friendship, I find this very unkind and a reflection on those who posted this rather than my friend. I was happy with the few bottles of wine she bought me and a gift from their holiday, I will just treat this as a lovely windfall.

I know it is not a life changing amount by any means but I felt uncomfortable as it seemed far too much from a friend considering I was happy to do as I knew how much it helped.

Accept graciously, OP. I had an anxious rescue and having someone you trust who can be there is such a great help. You did them a huge favour and they are obviously very grateful. You sound like a very good friend. Treat yourself.

Yes, do accept gracefully - or she might be reluctant to ask you again.