So I am house/dogsitting for a friend of a friend for the next week and a half. I've been doing it for a couple of days now, and been sleeping there some nights when I'm working early the next day. I work full time and I can't be there 100% of my time (the woman I am sitting for knows this and gave me permission to sleep in the house) So the other day, her friend left me a huge note telling me I didn't give the dogs enough water. Then I saw her and she came up to me and went on how she spent all day at the house and the dogs were thirsty (this was the same day as the note) Then I came in (the dogs were alive and well) and I found that she made the bed, and washed the dishes in the sink...(all of 4 spoons I use to give the one dog her medicine and a bowl from breakfast) I know I'm doing a good job, I have been letting the dogs out at least every 7 hours if not more, watering plants, bringing the mail...etc. I'm 22 years old, I can handle two dogs...this lady is making me crazy!
2006-09-04 14:11:19 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yes, I'm being paid, quite well in fact which is one reason I really want to do well cause I am broke and I would like to house sit for her again. Also, the crazy lady has a key of her own.
2006-09-04 14:17:26 · update #1
Politely tell her what you wrote, that the dogs are fine, you're doing a good job and that you're 22 years old and you can handle two dogs without her unsolicited opinion and/or interference. My guess is that the homeowner probably knows this woman is nuts otherwise he/she would have asked HER to watch the dogs, don't you think?
At your age, you truly are a young adult. Unfortunately, that means that some older adults who may be lacking in self-esteem, will dismiss you as "just a silly kid" because that's what they were and that's how they were treated.
Assert yourself. Be polite, but firm and if she continues her nonsense, ignore her and know that you are right and that's all there is to it.
In life you will meet many foolish and petty people, if you let them all drive you crazy, you won't be able to enjoy the things and people who matter most to you.
2006-09-05 06:49:58 · answer #1 · answered by BOOM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like this person is lonely and perhaps wants to feel useful. If hanging around the house while you're at work makes her feel useful, what's the harm? As far as the water thing, I'm sure your friend who asked you to housesit will realize that you've done a good job with the dogs when they return and the dogs are still alive. In fact, they wouldn't have asked you to housesit if they didn't trust you to take care of things. So don't sweat it.
I think the previous answerer's idea of giving this woman a little attention is a pretty good one. Perhaps a few well-placed, kind compliments will go a long way, and might make it so she's not feeling so desperate for your attention. Your friend apparently trusts her enough to give her a key to the house.
2006-09-05 18:44:26 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are using the dog bowl the owners left then you HAVE to be leaving plenty of water. She many be upset she was not asked to watch the dogs and trying to sabotage your efforts or make you look bad. Save the notes FOR SURE and give them to the homeowner when she returns so she can see what you dealt with while she was gone.
Also you might consider writing a note and asking the neighbor to refrain from visiting until the homeowner returns at it makes you uncomfortable AND that since you are responsible for the home while the homeowner is away you would like to make sure that only you are accessing the home in the even of any damage or problems.
2006-09-05 08:10:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep doing what your doing with the exception of maybe either putting a larger bowl of water down or putting two bowls of water down for the dogs.
Make sure you keep the house neat and clean up behind yourself.
If the neighbor keeps making comments to you then politely tell her that you were asked to dog/house sit for your friend and that is exactly what you are doing and that you are quite capable of doing so without her help.
But remember that this may be a friend of the person you are house sitting for since she has her own key and you do not want to be rude to the woman. Otherwise you may not be asked to return and dog sit again.
2006-09-05 14:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by ETxYellowRose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OOOOH. Every neighborhood has one, it's just unfortunate for you that she's got a key. If she genuinely thought the dogs didn't have enough water, she could have just given them some, and gone away. There was no need to stay all day over that. Keep a log of everything you do and the times that you do it. Then you can show it to your friend, and they'll know you weren't neglectful. You might want to let your friend know that the neighbor clearly thinks nothing of her privacy. This makes you wonder if she's in and out all the time when your friend IS in town.
2006-09-04 23:14:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do the doors have chain locks or any kind of other guards? Is the garage attached to the house? Is there a garage door opener? If the answer to all three is yes,then chain all the doors before you leave ( Or lock the storm doors if they have them ) ,exit through the garage and take the remote for the door opener with you. That way the next time that nosy neighbor tries to get in and finds the doors chained, maybe she will take the hint. If not,call the homeowner and tell her what is going on because if this busybody breaks or worse,steals anything while she is puttering around,you might be held responsible.
2006-09-04 16:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by jidwg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "friend" seems to feel sleigh-ted somehow. She is, in a passive-aggressive manner, showing just how good she is by pointing out how bad you are. She seems very troubled.
You may get her to back off a little if you stroke her a bit such as "You really seem to know the routine here, and I am sure (the owner) will be grateful that the home and dogs are so well cared for." In other words, make a friend of her, give her some reason to be accountable to you, even if you don't like her. She does seem to need attention. Later, you can establish boundaries. Peace and Good Luck.
2006-09-04 14:19:53 · answer #7 · answered by -Tequila17 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you call the people you are dog sitting for? I'm guessing they already know they have psycho neighbor. If they wanted her over there all the time why isn't she just watching the dogs? I wouldn't worry too much, just explain what's going on to the homeowner and i'm sure everything will be ok. in the mean time tell the neighbor that they hired you to take care of things because they trusted you and that if they needed her to do anything they woudl have asked. some people are always looking for trouble and it makes me pissed!
2006-09-04 14:15:06 · answer #8 · answered by dang 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So how is neighbor lady getting into the house and washing dishes? She got issues with you taking care of your friend's dogs? What if something valuable comes up missing? Find a way to secure that house!!
2006-09-04 14:15:39 · answer #9 · answered by RepoMan18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't understand why this neighbor has the key to the house? If you are house sitting then she has no business there and I would call the cops on her.
Lets say she takes the opportunity to grab something from the house. Who gets blamed for it? Not her... You are the one house sitting. So you would get blamed for it.
I would call the cops and make her stop coming into the house. Have the cops take the key away from her.
Jerry
2006-09-04 14:48:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋