House-sitting hassles
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382303)
Rockingham, Australia
June 20, 2023 1:35am CST
I’ve had a break from myLot for a few days. We’re now house-sitting again and this place is more full-on than any we’ve done so far. I tend to get a bit stressed when we’re responsible for the health and care of someone else’s pets, although I make a joke of our ‘adventures’ on here. But with every house-sit, there seems to be a bit of drama at some point.
This place has three dogs – Jack Russell types and all quite timid. We wanted to keep them inside for the first day but at one point, Millie got out the door and wouldn’t come back to us. It was starting to get dark and I was really getting worried. It was no good chasing her when she was scared of us.
In the end, we left the gate open into the back yard area and when she eventually came to the back door, we were able to shut the gate. She is quite friendly mostly but seems very sensitive. I’ll tell you more next time.
The photo is of Charlie, one of two cats. He’s supposed to have his meals in the laundry, but we haven’t managed that so far. At this stage, as long as he eats, I’m happy.
30 people like this
29 responses
@AmbiePam (120913)
• United States
20 Jun 23
Oh goodness, that would make me nervous too. The one time I house sat, I got a migraine, lost my vision, and because I couldn't see, I ended up throwing up all over their bathroom wall. Of course, after the migraine went away I cleaned it up.
Charlie is such a doll by looks. I'm sorry to hear he isn't easy to feed where they want him to be fed though. You try to do it the way they want, but if Charlie doesn't cooperate, how can you? I'm wishing you luck for the remaining time.
And it's always nice to see you when you've been absent a few days.
And it's always nice to see you when you've been absent a few days.4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174575)
• United States
20 Jun 23
I've never liked looking after someone's pets... give me their terrible kids, every time. At least I know how to handle kids...
I hope you're enjoying yourself most of the time.
How long will you be at this house?
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174575)
• United States
20 Jun 23
@JudyEv 
For me, there's a big difference. With kids, you feed them and keep them out of too much trouble. With pets, I have allergic reactions, still have to feed them and hope I can keep them alive. 
For me, there's a big difference. With kids, you feed them and keep them out of too much trouble. With pets, I have allergic reactions, still have to feed them and hope I can keep them alive. 1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77223)
• Philippines
20 Jun 23
I cannot imagine house siting and taking care of other people's pets. I'm a dog person and once in my life I loved cats too. But when it comes to other people's pets, I just don't really know if I could handle them.
3 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 Jun 23
It's tough to look after others pets. They might behave strange to new people. It can be stressful too if you have so many of them. Glad that Millie came back on her own.
I realised it to be a cat after you mentioned it. At first glimpse, I thought it's a lamb. That's a really furry cat
3 people like this
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
21 Jun 23
Yes it is a furry cat. First time to see a furry cat
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 Jun 23
@JudyEv Nice slippers .
I was not here much this month due to travel and work obligations. Have missed a lot on the site
.
I was not here much this month due to travel and work obligations. Have missed a lot on the site1 person likes this
@Beestring (15372)
• Hong Kong
20 Jun 23
Yes, looking after someone's pets can be stressful.
4 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
20 Jun 23
These days I am finding caring for my own pets an ordeal. Sunny has disappeared - a tiny little thing like that and that can be quite stressful
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382303)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jun 23
Oh, that's so sad. I do hope she comes back. It's such a worry when pets disappear.
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Jun 23
It would be stressful caring for others pets.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Jun 23
@JudyEv I hope he does. Old ones can go anytime
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382303)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun 23
@wolfgirl569 That's true and often they get colic which isn't a good way to go. We have the phone number of a vet if anything goes wrong.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91126)
• United States
20 Jun 23
Charlie looks quite content in your picture. Having the responsibility of someone elses pets is stressful but I'm sure in a day or two they'll be used to you being there.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91126)
• United States
21 Jun 23
@JudyEv 3 dogs and 2 cats is a bit of handful I would think
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382303)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jun 23
@Marilynda1225 There are five or six pens of various chickens, three lots of cage birds, a guinea pig and fish so we are earning our keep this time.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 Jun 23
For some reason, I thought your title said horse sitting and I couldn't find a reference to a horse in the post. Then I read the title again. Duh! My eyes love reading words that aren't there.
I'm glad Millie returned and you could shut the gate. Cute picture of the cat.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
20 Jun 23
Who looks after your house when you are house sitting. It's really difficult to handle someone elses pets.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382303)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun 23
@aninditasen There are thieves everywhere but everything is quite securely locked up. And, as we live in a gated village, only those that live there can get in after 6pm so that is an added security.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
21 Jun 23
@JudyEv There are household things. Aren't there thieves there?
1 person likes this
@Treborika (18194)
• Mombasa, Kenya
20 Jun 23
I hope you are doing great on the house sitting hustle. I am glad that you are into a new great deal once again. Have a nice house sitting with Vince is it so?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382303)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jun 23
We're enjoying it. We normally do it for free for friends but these people have insisted on giving us some cash.
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
9 Jul 23
That is a big big responsibility.
I might look after a house in some ways but I might not take the responsibility of the pets.
You did what was the best you could have done.
Have a nice Sunday.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222527)
• United States
20 Jun 23
Taking on the responsibility of someone else's pets is a big job. Sounds like you are handling it pretty well. Please stop by and see us when you can. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382303)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun 23
@LindaOHio I'm really sorry to hear that. That's really sad to hear.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222527)
• United States
20 Jun 23
@JudyEv We are both hanging in there. Hubby's back is hurting just like it did before the surgery; so that was a waste of time and a lot of pain.
1 person likes this
