Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:56:00 GMT

Yes he is loving his holiday! He has a big squashy bed, massages, and 2 cats to WOOOF at! Plus my floozy of a FN collie x keeps snuggling up to him! Not to mention the bits of pizza/sausage etc that Zach gives him after he has spent ages staggering over to stare at him eating! Bad pet sitter I know, but no d+, is DUDE normal, and if you can't have a bit of sausage at 15 then when can you!?

I think I will say something - he is a lovely boy, and is doing really well for his age - probably helps that his owners are strict on 2 walks and 2 feeds a day, no treats. But he is still obviously sore.

I was thinking I could ask if they give him any pain relief? As he seems rather stiff and sore? Don't you think?

If they say no I can suggest the vets, if they yes, then it must be a human prep as they don't do vets, so I can strongly suggest the vets!

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Selena Carnell — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:42:01 GMT

Not treating him is cruel, but you can't force them, can't believe they just wanted two one hour checks daily for him! Wond how long they leave him then? May be suggest glucosamine and condrotin, or aspirin? Mind you at 15 your pretty limited in what you can do. Bet he is loving the holiday though.

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Lolita — Tue, 24 May 2011 23:06:41 GMT

I would just tell them that you have noticed that he is very painful, and that medication is available from their vet, they should value your opinion, at least you will have peace of mind that u told them. They may be grateful of the advice, even if they 'dont do vets', they hardly want to see him continue in this way. Maybe they just need a voice of reason... hopefully they go with him

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Fuzzyduck — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:14:21 GMT

You cant have an animal and "not do vets" thats neglect, if an animal needs treatment it needs treatment regardless of your opinions of vets.

If they are good friends of your sisters then hopefully you can talk some sense in to them

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Katie Mansfield — Tue, 24 May 2011 07:22:05 GMT

[quote user="Caro Laithwaite VN,"]

so tell them outright dog is in pain and not treating him is cruel

[/quote]

I agree - otherwise you're gonna feel permanently guilty and the dog will still be in pain.

K x

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:56:00 GMT

so tell them outright dog is in pain and not treating him is cruel

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 23 May 2011 23:24:01 GMT

LOL Caro!

I feel in a bit of an impossible situation tho - Old Man is obviously in pain daily, what with his old man joints, and straight as an arrow hind leg stance, and when I asked his owners they said they don't do vets...

He goes out of his way to avoid steps, or inclines of any kind, and my heart just goes out to him! He has developed his own way of getting round my 5 steps to my door - 2 steps up, onto the grass, then round to where it hits the doorstep - therefore missing 3 obviously painful steps - or why else would he find an alternative route all by himself?

At 15 years of age, bearing in mind his owner is a good friend of my sister, do I gently nudge the owner towards a wee bit of pain relief? If so, how? Is it my place to do that?

Pooch seems happy enough, given flat ground, but it upsets me a bit.

This is my first pet sitting job, and I want to do right, but it seems my heart is ruling my head!

Plus, I unfortunatley, can't do tactful - despite all efforts

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:46:11 GMT

Well as his future holiday home is sorted l doubt the people will be to worried about his emotional needs in future... nor will the old man so long as your son can continue to supply food.

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Lolita — Sun, 22 May 2011 17:49:58 GMT

Ah thats so nice of you, I would have done the same...you would have been worrying about him if you hadn't taken him home and you can give him your full attention while he is with you, he would have been very lonely by himself, he seems like a lovely old chap!

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sun, 22 May 2011 16:24:05 GMT

Thanks for the reassurance - I was a bit worried about disrupting his routine, as he is very set in his ways. However he is taking it all in his stride.

He's actually woke me up a couple of times for a wee, so I'm glad he's here. Plus he gets very stiff after a rest, and sometimes needs a hand getting to his feet - poor old fella! Although he gets up ok and totters over to beg when my son has food lol!

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Anonymous — Sat, 21 May 2011 10:51:47 GMT

I think I would have done the same. We're all a soft touch! But definately mention when they return that he felt he wasn't coping on his own so you ended up taking him home. That might make his owners think about his emotional needs more for next time.

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 21 May 2011 09:16:55 GMT

Hope I would have done exactly the same as you He'll have a stimulating week! You done good!

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sat, 21 May 2011 00:19:14 GMT

DOH! Forgot the biggest reason why I didnt just have him mine anyway! Cats, young collie cross and kid! He has ignored the cats, wagged his tail at the collie cross, and licked my son on the hand!

Owners said may be funny with cats and dogs, ok-ish with kids...

WIN all round for Mr Special Old Man Collie Dog!

Re: Pet sitting dilemma.... what would you have done?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sat, 21 May 2011 00:13:41 GMT

Just realised I left all his feed at his house and will have to go get it..... on the plus side he just snored and flipped over onto me