u/Camille_Toh

In from of Roosevelt station just now, cops stopped traffic, yelled at everyone to “move over” and then a black limo and what seemed to be Secret Service vehicles followed.

Oh boy I dodged a bullet. Got invited to a sit. Went into the app and scrolled through all the past sits. Many sitters who stayed there long-term who did NOT leave a review, and I could see they reviewed other HOs happily and positively. Most glaring of all--a few unbelievably petty complaints supporting the docking of 1-2 stars. Example: sit was about 4 days. HO notes there was one meal portion beyond what they expected for the time period. Another one--really highly rated (by others) sitters: "They cleaned the kitchen in certain ways that we would not." Sitters responded politely yet firmly how well they left the place and how seriously they take their responsibilities.

Thank you to other sitters for reviewing honestly, even if it's thinly veiled, OR making a point by not reviewing at all (interestingly, in these cases, HO didn't review them either so I guess they didn't get along and agreed not to review each other) and for replying to an unfair review. It does help!

Or is lack of consideration? I arrived the evening before their departure. They had messaged me details of their travel plans beforehand. Just prior to their departure, I happened to hear one of them telling a friend that they'd be back X date--the day before what they told me and what the listing and all related correspondence stated. I brought it up and they were like, "OH! Well, you're welcome to stay." (Grrr.)

It's taken weeks to get the date changed, and in the meantime I missed out on sits that started on the actual end date. Now there are no viable sits until at least a week later. So I've really been scrambling to make plans that don't put me in a financial and logistical hole.

Just today, I hear from the HO--very casual "oh we're on our way to X airport for our early morning flight home."

Um, that's yet another day earlier than expected. I replied asking for clarification of when they are coming home (they had provided their booked train info from X city to home and that's for Saturday not Friday). No response.

I have plans tomorrow (Friday) including cleaning the place, social plans and work-related stuff.

In addition, there's weirdly conflicting or missing info in the somewhat scattered WG (not properly updated from long past sits) including neighbors' contact information that is their own phone number!

They're fairly old. It's entirely within the realm of possibility that this is at least in part a cognitive issue. I think there's also lack of consideration. One past sitter did mention a change in return date (but due to illness apparently) and docked them a star for it. Otherwise, all good (and I have enjoyed the sit).

Sigh.

I might find the post-sit time difficult. I've adored many of the pets I've taken care of. But this little nugget...wahhhh! We've bonded.

Anyone else have their faves?