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Original poster

Should I ask for money?

38 replies

Jellyx · 08/04/2023 19:49

Hello,

I agreed to look after for a small dog for 8days - Saturday to Saturday.

I'm already regretting it. When the owners made the request, via 'borrow my doggy', to look after the dog they said they would be 'happy to pay for my troubles'

My sister agreed to look after the dog last minute a few weeks ago- owners flights were delayed and the ended up with the dog even longer. I've just found out that they never paid her but instead said '' oh do you want anything for it..''- and my sister is too polite to say anything.

So I'm wondering, how do I ask for money at this stage and what should I reply to ''do you want anything for it..''

Obviously I won't be agreeing to this again and bear responsibility for not having this agreed in advance.

OP posts:
SnaccidentsHappen · 08/04/2023 19:53

I'm confused, was it you or your sister who looked after the dog?

Borrow my doggy isn't a paid service as far as I know, if you want to be paid for it then set yourself up on rover or similar.

If they offered to pay you should have agreed a price before hand and asked them to pay upfront, or even part payment.

I think you'd be lucky to get anything now.

ArmchairAnarchist2 · 08/04/2023 19:54

I'm sure it only means out of pocket expenses. You don't get paid.

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 19:55

My sister looked after the dog in February. Prior to this I'd agreed to look after the dog in Easter.

Yes- agreed I should have confirmed price before. Usually id be happy to do it for free but they weren't forthcoming about how needy/noisy he is- so now I want compensated for sure as this is not an enjoyable experience.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 19:56

I've looked after dogs before via borrow my doggy..and the owner has bought a small gift. This dog is much more work and I was surprised to hear they didn't get my sister even a token gift.

OP posts:
Newjobformoremoney · 08/04/2023 20:04

Sorry so your sister previously looked after the same dog?
if you’re already looking after the dog and you haven’t asked for payment when are you planning to? If it’s the same owner are you planning on saying “yes please” when they pick him up and ask “do we owe you anything for the trouble”?
Trying to get it all straight in my head.

VioletCharlotte · 08/04/2023 20:05

The whole point of 'Borrow my Doggy' is that you get the benefit of having a dog when it suits you, without the responsibility and costs that owning a dog brings. It's meant to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties.

Sure, it's nice if the owner buys you a small gift to say thank you, but you shouldn't expect it. If you dont want to look after the dog, then you just say no.

mnisannoyingAF · 08/04/2023 20:05

It's borrow my doggy, you don't get paid! You're meant to want to do it. If you don't, don't offer

mnisannoyingAF · 08/04/2023 20:08

I'm obvs too invested in this to reply twice, but why did you offer? Did you know it's not normally a paid service, even if the dogs are twats? I'm just confused as to how you say you "agreed" to it, like you didn't sign up for the site in the first place

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:10

My sister looked after the same dog. I had assumed she'd been given some money.
The owner offered money (no exact amount) when she made the request.

It's not as 'mutually beneficial' as first expected as the owner did not say how needy and noisey the dog was. I think she underplayed it so that someone would take the dog.

I would say it's good manners to at least buy a box of chocolates for looking after a dog for a week in a capital city!

OP posts:
AlwaysGinPlease · 08/04/2023 20:12

Free dog care for a week, wow! Personally I think Borrow my Dog is an awful concept, I wouldn't trust it. But you agreed to look after the dog.

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:12

mnisannoyingAF · 08/04/2023 20:08

I'm obvs too invested in this to reply twice, but why did you offer? Did you know it's not normally a paid service, even if the dogs are twats? I'm just confused as to how you say you "agreed" to it, like you didn't sign up for the site in the first place

Borrow my doggy is usually for the odd walk. Not for a week long stay! I don't advertise myself for boarding - but for the odd walk.
She made the request, as I live nearby. I agreed. At the time of request she offered money.

After agreeing - she had a last min trip- I couldn't take the dog for it but my sister could.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:13

AlwaysGinPlease · 08/04/2023 20:12

Free dog care for a week, wow! Personally I think Borrow my Dog is an awful concept, I wouldn't trust it. But you agreed to look after the dog.

I agreed on the understanding there would be money. Now I've found out she didn't pay my sister

OP posts:
mnisannoyingAF · 08/04/2023 20:14

@Jellyx ah right ok sorry, I didn't realise it's not normally for a long period. Still I do think she only offered expenses but you're within your rights to send a bill for your travel or whatever since she asked. Not a wage tho as she never said that

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:18

mnisannoyingAF · 08/04/2023 20:14

@Jellyx ah right ok sorry, I didn't realise it's not normally for a long period. Still I do think she only offered expenses but you're within your rights to send a bill for your travel or whatever since she asked. Not a wage tho as she never said that

She said 'pay for my troubles'

OP posts:
viques · 08/04/2023 20:19

So is the poor dog at its home and you are just popping in , feeding and taking for walks, or is it staying at your home? If the former then no wonder it is needy, it must be distraught.

Cheapskate owners in either case. Paying for your pet to be looked after properly , either for walking or while you are away is a price you have to factor into pet ownership.

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:19

I also think it would be 'common decency' to buy a bottle of wine or something.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:20

viques · 08/04/2023 20:19

So is the poor dog at its home and you are just popping in , feeding and taking for walks, or is it staying at your home? If the former then no wonder it is needy, it must be distraught.

Cheapskate owners in either case. Paying for your pet to be looked after properly , either for walking or while you are away is a price you have to factor into pet ownership.

The dog is staying at my home address fulltime for the week! And is extremely needy and noisey- perhaps just the Pug breed?

OP posts:
AlwaysGinPlease · 08/04/2023 20:22

I hope you are staying in their home or do you have the dog at your home?

AlwaysGinPlease · 08/04/2023 20:22

Cross post

viques · 08/04/2023 20:23

Phew! When you said you lived nearby I had visions of you nipping round a couple of times a day. Still feeling sorry for the dog, they sound very mean, and mean people imo are not good owners.

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:24

viques · 08/04/2023 20:23

Phew! When you said you lived nearby I had visions of you nipping round a couple of times a day. Still feeling sorry for the dog, they sound very mean, and mean people imo are not good owners.

I also expected them to check in with how he is settling- but they've not bothered to ask!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 08/04/2023 20:24

This thread is very confusing.

[annoyed]

Original poster
Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:24

AlwaysGinPlease · 08/04/2023 20:22

Cross post

I'm not sure what that means

OP posts:
viques · 08/04/2023 20:27

Jellyx · 08/04/2023 20:24

I'm not sure what that means

Show quote history

It means that the poster realised that someone else had posted a similar question at almost the same time, which had been answered.

AlwaysGinPlease · 08/04/2023 20:28

@Jellyx I had asked if you had the dog at home but you'd posted the dog was at your home before I saw it