Four Floofs Tonight!

Our neighbors had to work late and asked us if we minded taking Maya and Ivy for an evening pee and a stroll so that they didn't have to wait till 11pm. The husband enthusiastically said yes even before I read all the texts. Pfffffft. He said yes, without asking me. Except that I would be the one doing it and not the husband. 

The last time the husband agreed to pet-sitting without asking me, I refused to help him at all. When he didn't clear dates with me and I was flooded at work, I had no mood to be helpful. I let him experience it full-on and he decided he'd never do it again if I'm not around. Well. He is really not a ‘housework and cleaning’ sort of dude. Our friends will be sorely mistaken to think that he is. He never has had to change even the toilet rolls at home, or mop the floor. He has never done housework in his entire life. At the end of the day, I’m the one cleaning shit. 

This is why people shouldn't ask friends to pet-sit. It's not just about cute floofs. When friends ask me, it's never about the floofs that will influence my decision. I'm not flattered that you think I can handle your dog. I know very well that you're viewing me as a useful tool. You know very well how superficial our relationship is; you just want someone to care for your dog. I will consider my friendship with you, and I consider why you're asking me this, and I think about your living habits and hygiene. I will consider what you expect versus what I'm willing to do and why you would even expect me to do this. 

It's an enormous responsibility. On top of my work day, and daily obligations. If your dog comes over to me, he's invading my space and I have to shift my schedule around his needs too, and if he doesn't get along with Choya, that's a firm NO. Not many dogs meet my house etiquette requirements. If I go over to walk your dog, you do realize that it's a seismic schedule shift that I am most reluctant to accommodate? Especially if you don't live near me at all. Do you realize that I have to wake up at 4.30am or 5am, walk my own dogs and then drive 20 minutes over to you, walk yours and feed, then get to work. And I repeat this at night, delaying my own bedtime, quiet-hour, and even having to decline evening social invitations to dinner and even having to skip gigs and shows that I have booked. 

WHY DO PEOPLE THINK IT'S OKAY TO IMPOSE ON FRIENDS LIKE THIS? DO THEY EVEN KNOW WHAT IT TAKES?

IT IS ALSO NOT OKAY TO IMPOSE ON FAMILY MEMBERS IN THIS MANNER TOO. Please don't expect your family to care for your pets just like that. 

I'm not unemployed and so damn free till I'm happy that you're offering something for me to do and not even paying me. I can do it for a day or two for friends, and never more than that. I will take Ryo because he's a Shiba-ken and his pawrents and us have a firm friendship. I will never do this for anyone that I don't have a solid friendship with. And this is a very narrow circle.

I have to take on everything that comes with caring for your dog, including vet visits and cleaning the house. Make no mistake in thinking that just coming in to walk the dog is easier than boarding the dog at mine. It's equally painful. I'd have to do a cursory clean; I surely can't just leave litter sand, fur and mess around for a week or two right? That means spending 2 hours a day at said home. More to do if it's a dog. That dog needs to be walked, cleaned and entertained. Food needs to be prepped and dishes CLEANED UP. 

I'm not sure if people know exactly what they're asking, or why they even think it's okay to ask this of friends. If being friends with you means that I have to check in and care for your pets too, then I’m glad we’re not friends and are simply acquaintances. I have no wish to be your valued friend. It's a very huge favor to ask. I could never.

Maya and Ivy.

I had a think about our neighbors' not-too-difficult request, and I was okay with it. They live in the estate, it's not much effort to do it since I didn't have a prior engagement. At the end of the day, we're neighbors, not friends. We have a cordial relationship based on civility; we do not have a friendship. I have Ryo this week, so Ryo and Choya's needs are priority. But doing a quick walk and feed for Maya and Ivy wouldn't be a big issue. Luckily these girls listen to me and are not difficult to walk since they know how I handle their leashes, and they do respond well to me.

What I didn't bargain for, was the unintentional 5km run this evening. Hahahahaha. I jogged Maya and Ivy for 3km around the estate. Then later in the night before (our human) dinner, we took the Ryo and Choya out and it was not that warm, so we ended up jogging 2km. Okaaaay, I got all my cardio in. 

What made me happiest at the end of the night was seeing all four floofs eat up their dinner and slurp up all the nutritious bone broth. They ate well tonight for sure!

Choya and Ryo.