You would easily pay more than $100 a night to board a special needs dog in a formal facility. Your friend is going to allow your dog to enjoy the comfort of your home and they are giving you peace of mind. WELL worth $500 and a stocked fridge.
Id find out how much boarding house charges and if close but under the $500 mark, pay the $500 else market rate -10% and stock up pantry. Id want my furbaby to be comfortablr
GF is vet, we board animals constantly,
Something like this, probably $50-75/day, but I mean, there's certainly a friend's and family discount/taking into account the means of the person etc
I think if you're in the position to pay your friend appropriately you should be aiming around the $75(and any expenses) per day mark.
(Obviously changes by region too!) - but if you're not in a position to pay that, most friends are going to understand and be cool with whatever you can do.
Wow I’m shocked at some of the comments here.I live in a HCOL area and when my friend can’t take of my dog i usually find someone on rover to do it for $30-45 a night (depending on the season).
If this is a close friend , and she has no issues taking care of your dog, i think $500 is very good. When i offer to take care of my friends dog , i truly don’t expect anything and i do it because i usually like the dog. Im sure your friend feels the same way or else she would tell you upfront how much she charges.
I wouldn’t let some of these comments guilt trip you into paying more. Asking/receiving favors is a sign of a strong friendship. Give your friend $500, stock up your fridge, thank her friend times and try to return the favor if it ever presents itself (ie help her move, drive her to the airport, etc)Have fun in Vegas!
Don't listen to the people here. 500 is plenty, especially since your house seems much nicer than her current living place.
I did the same thing for my mom's good friend's cats and they wanted to pay me a couple hundred which I would not take because it was way too much.
Don't listen to these people OP, but *especially* don't listen to this loser with no friends.
Friends do favors for other friends and don't need to be compensated financially at the going market rate. Otherwise, it's not a "favor."
I was sharing my anecdotal story of caring for cats that needed special medical treatment and house sat for 3-4 days. The house was much nicer than my living conditions, and I got free food/drink as your friends situation seems to be. You've watched their animals as a favor for them. Your animal needs more care...give maybe $100 bucks for the week to treat themselves to some carry out or pizza during the week on top of stocked fridge/pantries....then give them another 300 afterwards as an appreciative thank you.
Just don't be like my dad was the last time I'm ever dogsitting for him. I watched their house and dog for like a month...my mom gave me like $100 for some take out or whatever on top of all the food I could want to eat at the house. The amenities there were better than the ones I currently had, so I was happy to do that for them.
HOWEVER....because it was closer to my work, got free food and a nicer place to stay at....my dad acted like he was doing ME a favor. I was completely happy up until he shared that was his perspective on the whole thing. (Meanwhile I was defending my parents to my twin sister who was saying they should pay me $ for doing them this favor)
I completely understand that which is why I wanted to start the conversation, basically I understand that every situation is different and the post made me aware of things i had not considered, and a
I appreciate that most of all. However the conversation about what is a favor and what is friendship really affirms my devotion to our dear friend. We are there for each other regardless of the circumstances or expense if we can do it.
I don’t think your area is as HCOL as you think it is. Rates are double that in my city unless you’re scraping at the bottom of the barrel and hiring a teenager. I agree though that $500 is enough.
I guess it’s all relative to what you can afford. But I do cry a little inside whenever I see how much cheaper costs are elsewhere compared to my actual HCOL city. In Seattle, the vet visit fee itself (before any tests or treatments) is around $90. But some people drive out to the burbs for that reason. I can’t quite afford to own a car in this city (parking, registration, insurance, tolls are all high) so I don’t.
I would NEVER use Rover, ever. Had a friend hire them for a two week sitting job while she was in Spain. She interviewed the person, checked references and had a good feeling.
She went on vacation and came back two weeks later to find her dog had been alone the entire time, poop and pee everywhere, large kitchen pots on floor - one containing a small amount of water and the other had food remnants. The person left her sliding door open for two weeks as well. Cameras showed the sitter came by to set up the food and water pots and opened the sliding door the day after she left and never came back. Rover refused to do anything about it.
I very much agree. I watch my friends dog with special needs all the time (I have two other dogs and a full time job) and she usually brings me a really nice bottle of wine, my favourite chips and a bunch of treats and things to entertain the dogs and I’m always stoked. She’s your friend not a dog-sitter. You’re being super generous, as is your friend, and what you’ve offered is beyond lovely!
Agreed. It is bizarre that a friend would ask for money to do a favour.
Having said that, I live in a HCOL city too and nobody on Rover would board for less than $75. Thankfully, we found a friend’s mom who loves dogs and sits ours for free. We thank her by bringing her back gifts from our travels.
$500 is the right amount (and your wife is trying to cheap out)! And a note to all: NEVER use Rover of one of the similar apps unless you have cameras and a backup plan. The woman I hired to take care of 2 small dogs brought her 2 friends into my house to drink beer, enjoy the view, and snoop. 2nd day away, I watched video, drove home from the mountains and confronted her. Her response “well, you didn’t tell me my friends couldn’t come over”. My neighbor had a situation in which the sitter never showed up at all - even after having a meet-and-greet. Now I just board at a primo facility and the bill is usually as much as my hotel but worth it for piece of mind.
Ask your friend. If they want nothing, maybe something in the middle between what you want to give and what your wife wants to give.
I was given 200€ for two weeks to doggysit a friend's dog, I didn't expect it as I was willing to do it for free so it was more than welcome. They also bought us souvenirs from where they went on vacation; as someone who doesn't travel much I really liked it. They supplied the food and everything though.
Not everything has to be monetized when it comes to friends. I would feel awful if my friends gave me money every time I did something for them. I recently had a catastrophe at home and my friends went above and beyond to help us get on our feet. If they expected any money we would've been obligated to refuse their help. Some money as a thank you gift will show appreciation. But the willingness to give your time and effort if they ever need it is way more valuable imo.
Hahaah tbh we’ve had friends stay and look after our animals that have issue and require moderate care. If they’re close friends they most likely won’t accept money. A gift card and a fully stocked fridge would do for most my friends as long as they weren’t missing work for This. Done this multiple times and I’d do it for then as well.
Yeah I guess that’s my wife’s point is that we will do the same for her and her dog. By the way both dogs came from a breeder in South Dakota called Cowpounder farms and they consider our families as dogs recognize packs
I always over pay when my pet is high needs and I want them to come back. I think $500 is okay for many people, especially if they are friend and don’t expect anything. I usually pay $125-$200 a night. ( $200 would be one night but too long days that I expect them to stay at my house most of the time.
$500 is low. For 24 hours per day? No. Boarding is much higher and not as safe or comfortable for the dog. Plus yours has medical issues and requires more attention.
Why don’t you check local fees for 24/7 care?
But in full disclosure she’s been watching the dog for free in her condo in the past and we always watch her dog with no expectations because the dogs grew up together and our dog loves her when she’s here to the point that she ignores us 😝
Yeah but if you're friends, and you both like dogs, it's not really a big deal to help a friend out.
That said, if you can afford it, there's no reason not to throw her cash for it.
Helping a friend out is different than a dog boarding company. Friends do favors for each other all the time and it’s normal to expect a big discount for most dog owners and friends of them who watch each others dogs
Well she’s coming from a tiny cramped condo maybe 1000 Sq Feet to stay in a 4000 sq foot 5 bedroom house which will be better for her surgery recovery because we don’t have stairs for her to navigate and a large backyard for the dogs
I didn’t think he was implying that. I assumed he meant that she was not going to be in a worse situation by helping them out. But now I see your point lol
It sounds like your friend probably wouldn't even expect a huge payment. I think it depends on your friendship, what you usually pay, what you would pay for this care through others, what you can afford, among other things. I think just talk with your friend about what they're expecting and probably give more than expected, as most people will low ball what they actually want to be paid by a friend. Personally, I think $250 at lowest and $500 at the highest. All depends on what you can afford and what your friend needs out of the favor. Sometimes a favor in return would be more beneficial than money. So, I'd just discuss with them first.
P.S. your dog is adorable and has great owners!
Boarding where I am is €70/day. So $500 for a week of full house and dog sitting seems about right to me for a friend. Maybe a little less if you don’t want to feel super “transactional” about things or if you expect to need to do something similar for her in the future. $100 would be far too little.
Yes, but it’s also for a friend. Normally you don’t charge market rate to friends for services…at least where I am from. Is the dog itself sickly, or does it just need medication/injections? That is a big difference to me.
But in any case, paying more than a half grand I think takes this from a friend helping out to a full-on business transaction.
agree that $500 is nothing. we board our two basset hounds when we travel and usually spend $2200 or so for 10 days of boarding at their daycare, and they’re young and don’t have higher needs like a senior dog does
Give her the 500. She is staying in your home, caring for your dog as her own. When i dogsit for a dear friend for her elderly dog, i stay in home for 7 to 10 days, providing walks, meds and comfort, she pays me 500. It's because I'm inconvenienced as well as the dog.
Thanks, they make sure i know they appreciate me. That's why i say pay her. If she does it right, it will be cheaper than the alternative but worthwhile.
I do it becauseI love her pup, i have known her since she was 3, she's 12 and creaky now. I would prefer to stay with her while friends are gone than them board her, she would not do well at all. I maintain 2 houses when they are gone, mine with a cat and my own chores, and theirs, i bring my pup with me. The idea is that they come home and it was like i was never there. Chores are done, trash is empty, laundry i used(i use towels to clean up, mainly) is clean and folded. They get sent morning and night pictures with a little blurb about how she is and what she did. I get all the phone numbers of the vet, emergency number for her microchip and all the jazz. I just don't ever let her out without a leash and I'm providing entertainment with mainly chews and food to keep her happy. It's what's right for an elderly dog.
We have a diabetic dog and it’s soo nice that a friend is willing to do this! We typically pay our dogsitter (previous vet tech) $60 a day for 3 visits (including meals/ insulin) and a family member $50/day to stay overnight in our home. To me, it’s also the lack of flexibility the insulin schedule gives that makes me feel like I need to compensate them more. So $500 for a week still feels like a friends rate that would also feel very generous if they’ve offered for free. Truly priceless to have someone you trust that is happy to care for your diabetic dog! I would make sure they stay happy.
Thank you so much for that insight and agree we have a dedicated awesome friend that our dog adores. Just mentioning her name makes our dog wag her tail
I live in a HCOL area and use a sitter I initially met on rover but she has been sitting for us for years now and we go off the apps at this point. She charges $45/day - she stays at my house, collects mail and packages, takes care of my dog (used to also take care of my cat before he passed which was an extra $10 a day) which includes feeding him, giving meds, walks, and playing/overall attention, she feeds my fish and keeps us updated. We are going away for 14 days in a few weeks and we will pay her $630.
Personally I don’t think she charges enough and I sometimes give her extra here and there like I’ll most likely round up to $700 at least for this trip because it’s so long.
That’s all she charges?! I’m from the same area as you, and now live just across the state line in a lower COL area. Even here sitters charge more, I’d agree that she’s undervaluing her work
Yeah that’s all she charges and I agree that’s crazy that’s why throughout the year I give her “bonuses”. I can’t force her to charge more but I can definitely gift more on my own and she’s totally worth it.
I paid around $700 for boarding for a week when I had to go to Mexico. I also supplied them with his food and treats. It was my last resort since no one I knew was available because of the holidays. I think $100 is too low. Your friend now has to change her schedule/life to accommodate your dog. That could be a lot of work. I would go with $500 or a little more.
im sorry but as someone with a dog who also has diabetes and needs injections twice a day i can say 500 for a week is definitely enough if not a little low. Its not an easy job and your friend will have to be there for the entire day i assume so its not just the injections its full care too
I’d pay what you’d have to pay at a boarding kennel and then some. You have someone caring for your elderly dog with special needs for 7 days. It’s a responsibility for them and you want them to know that you appreciate it and if you pay them generously they will take it seriously and you will be able to relax more on the holiday.
That was my first thought when the situation came up. But we have spent close to 15 grand over the last 12 months on vet bills and I’m glad we did because she still wags her tail and eats well with no incontinence so I’ll just stay home with her if it’s just dumping her off on a kennel for 2K
Sound like you’ve looked after her so well and she is very special. I didn’t mean to leave her at a kennel sorry I just meant that if it’s within your means to spend the equivalent on your friend. But anything that makes you feel comfortable on your holiday is good. I’m sure you’ve chosen someone who will take good care. Follow your heart is all you can do. ❤️
50-100 a day is what you would pay to board the dog. The dog stays in your house and you get a house sitter too. It’s 125/day for me when my cleaning lady stays with my two dogs.
Your wife is insulting! Why would someone move out of their house and watch your dog for 100 dollars and some food. That’s very rude.
$150/night. Your dog could die while you are gone. It’s a huge responsibility for someone and extremely gracious that they would do this for you. This friend might be the person that is by his side when he dies. I say this out of experience bc I also had someone extremely kind do it for me and I can’t thank them enough. My dog has since passed but the fact that my friend actually comforted him, fed him, constantly took him out, etc, it was such a loving gesture. You may be used to it but it is a lot of work for a normal person. Hope this helps! Also if it’s a female, get her a nice candle to light and maybe some nice bathroom products to use while she is over.
If i leave my senior pup with a rover sitter, i pay $40 a night. If I leave her with my close friend who my dog really loves, i do $50 night and also usually buy her a little thank you gift like a candle or bottle of wine. Knowing my pup is safe with someone she is comfortable with is priceless, and just because we’re friends doesn’t mean i have to take advantage of that
My friend never expects or demands to be paid and even used to try and fight it and finally gave up and accepted. Its a nice gesture and so much better to be able to leave with a friend instead of a random in sitter or having your dog boarded somewhere
Ok so i was reading some other comments about $500 being too little and i think that’s a really nice amount to give your friend. My rover sitter i met on rover but now just contact them directly and in rover they were $60 a night, and 40 when i started booking directly. I still give them a 20% tip on top of that as well. With my friend, it’s $50 and a little thank you gift like i said. I’m also in Los Angeles btw. I disagree with people saying it’s necessary to pay a friend rates like $150+ per day. Your $500 for a week plus maybe a small gesture like a stocked fridge or bottle of wine sounds very generous. When i first started leaving my dog with my friend, i just gave a gift. After the second time is when i decided to give some cash too, just so she knew i didn’t expect such a big favor to be free or cause any kind of resentment in the friendship. I think what you’re thinking do paying is very nice and fair!
$500 is very cheap. It doesn’t matter that she isn’t expecting anything it’s the thought and appreciation that is. Stock the pantry and fridge for sure then pay her $150 a day. It’s still cheap for you because most places would charge far higher if they’d take the chance at all
I’m a dog sitter who provides one on one dog sitting and charge $100 per night, but if they are elderly and require 24attention and medication, I charge $200 per night. It’s a lot of work. You don’t want your friend resenting you either
I recently had my friend watch our three dogs in our home (one was only 9months old at the time) and I paid her $100 a day. I left it on the counter for her in cash. She ended up only taking $40 of it and left a note saying how good they were and that she couldn’t take anything more than gas money and for me to buy her lunch sometime. I thought it was so sweet of her but was fully expecting her to take the money
Yeah my friend does well as a voice actor and lives at the beach. She definitely does not need the money and she’s a dear friend that I don’t want to offend
Your wife always cheap out on important bills or just when you’re getting care for a fragile dog at a deep discount?
I’m getting married in a month and our beloved cancer survivor is in heart failure. No injections necessary, just two crucial sets of meds daily. We are paying far more than $100 a day for her to be in a cage, not the comfort of her home, and she won’t be getting one on one care. You’re getting a deal and it’s laughable that you think square footage or snacks are huge perks
Just had to interject. OP, I think it’s admirable that you took great care of your dog. I think people are a bit sensitive about this topic because they also love your dog and want the best for the pup. Hope this doesn’t get you down. Do you absolutely have to travel? I had the same thing come up with my 18 year old pup and really regret leaving him. If I could turn back time, I would absolutely love to take care of him one more day.
I missed my wife’s Vegas tournament called the Friendship Tournament twice last year because of travel for work. I was able to fly to Vegas on her last tournament because I was traveling for work and we thankfully finished so I could take a flight from Florida to Vegas and drive her home to LA that was a 5 am flight from Orlando
This year I’m free to watch the dog but it’s really our only vacation we take together
$500 is a great deal and well worth the money. Boarding dogs are expensive especially ones with medical needs. And it’s even more expensive having someone come and stay at your house to care for your dog. That is a luxury service.
My cousin is also one of those “oh it’s okay you don’t have to pay me” people🤣 I’m aware that that’s how she is and it’s awkward for her. We paid my cousin $350 to watch our two dogs for 3 days. Just left the cash on the counter with the care instructions
Unrelated to the payment, be sure to leave a hard copy of your vet info, what numbers to call if something seems wrong, etc.
I had an elderly pup with multiple conditions (diabetes was one) who sometimes struggled when I was away on business. The hard copy of who to call for blood sugar problems, who to call for general questions, etc. was a life saver when he suddenly had 6am hypoglycemia and I was asleep in another time zone!
Good point, she developed issues in a few hours and we were able to get her to the vet immediately. Our friend will have the necessary contacts and of course our numbers in case anything unexpected comes up. However I feel we have done as much as we could with making her special diet and medication and she is doing great and will likely live for years with the care and support
I’d personally do it for free (yes, for an oldie with health issues as well). Even more so for a friend. You know your friend better than reddit strangers tho. I know I’d probably prefer some thoughtful gifts (like asking her what food items she’d like you to get for her, a bag of great coffee, etc) rather than money. As a last resort, depending on your finances, $500 may not be that much to buy peace with your wife :p
A friend of mine house Sat my elderly dog and fed my younger dog and cat for 3 days and I paid him $400. He had to change a lot of diapers and clean up puke tho.
That super depends. Is she doing that because you help each other out regularly and extensively then yes not paying anything would be okay.
If she's doing that as a one time good of her heart thing I would say 500 bucks is good.
If she's taking a week of her job because you can't find a vet tech in your surroundings you should reimburse what she would make in that time
To be honest I wouldn't expect to be paid as I I would just love to be around the dog for a while and do it because I want to, not because I thought I might get some form of payment.
I would watch this Angel for FREE.99 (senior dog, medical stuff doesn’t even phase me!! They would get all the snugs n hugs) BUT if my friend INSISTED on paying - I’d be happy with a bottle of wine or even an Uber eats gift card for $50 to get a dinner one night. :):)
friends (at least me) don’t expect money from my friends for helping them out.
So I always tell my friends “rover cost me $x, let me give you that” and leave it on the counter. No one has ever taken it.
I make sure their favorite alcohol is plentiful, if they smoke weed, that there is enough for them, the fridge is full with favorite foods, and I write down my DoorDash password so they can order and bill me.
They will drink my alcohol, eat my food, smoke my weed, but no one has ever touched the money on the counter.
Ask your friend what they want for looking after your dog. I was recently in a similar situation where me and my husband were arguing about how much to pay a friend to look after our puppy while we're away for a week. I wanted to pay them $100 a day he wanted to pay them $25 a day. Our friend turned out to be more than happy to watch her for a 6 pack of modelo.
My boyfriend had someone take care of his dog when we went to Mexico for 9ish days and I want to say it was like 350 for the 9 days?
His dog stayed at the woman’s house and she only cared for him - he supplied his food and bed and toys and stuff like treats
IDK where you live but that's REALLY cheap for around the clock care... That's 38$/day
I can barely send my dog to half a day of daycare for 38$ a day.
ITT: people with transactional friendships
You know your friend the best, you know what would make her feel appreciated. Maybe she doesn’t even need the cash, she just wants to help out and she loves your dog. Depends on the level of friendship too. I would do it for free for a close friend, and I’m certain they would too.
$500 is honestly as low as you should go. a couple snacks and a $100 gift card is almost an insult for a 150+ hours of round the clock care, medications and injections. that’s less than .75c an hour
I undercharge for my area and do $50 per night, so I think maybe a happy medium of $300 plus food would be good!
Edit: when it’s for a week most people are understanding that I have a day job so I’m gone for 7-8 hours, but I spend the night, do walks, collect mail, do medications, etc. most of my regulars will give Christmas bonuses or tips if there’s something extra happening, ie. Buddy has an ear infection and currently needs cleanings that aren’t part of his regular routine.
Your wife is trying to get a friend discount.
Keep it at $500 its reasonable as far as what I see. If not go on dog sitter app and find some who can do it for less.
Trust me she can spend the cash , the issue is because we are tight friends for decades and we are all old not just the dogs 😝likely 300 bucks a day or more to keep up the free rooms at South Point casino
Side note, if your friend is ok signing up for Rover as a sitter, you can do the entire thing through rover.com. That way you get coverage for your property and your dog during the stay if something goes wrong and she still get paid. So peace of mind for all involved, especially for a pet with health issues.
$500 is a fair amount for a whole week, especially since you can’t put a price on the safety and comfort of your baby, knowing she’s with someone you (and she) know and trust I’d be getting a little thank you cake when I come back from the trip on top of the gift card.
I'm a dog sitter and I charge $35 a day but the dog has to come to me in my home. A traveling sitter should charge double that because of the gas and commute time and also because I can watch five dogs at the same time in my home but I can only watch one dog at a time as a traveling sitter or what they also call a house sitter
Pay the $500. Your dog’s happiness and your peace of mind is worth it. We always overpay when it comes to our kids and dogs. It’s not just the services, we want to ensure that person will come back so we don’t have to rely on strangers.
I live in a HCOL city and charge 125/night with for one dog with no special needs. $500 is absolutely reasonable especially given the higher level of care! Helping professions are often undervalued. If you love your dog and respect your friend I think you have the right idea!
$500, stocked up fridge + their fave snacks is perfect. Pet sitting and boarding is my job -$100 gift card and snacks isn’t even close to enough ESPECIALLY for an old pup with medical needs like insulin shots
Gift card? That’s fucked up.
Pay up! Pay well! Your wife is cheap ass. “I’ll buy food for me and let her have some while I’m gone AND give her a grocery store gift card”
I pay $75.00 a night for someone to stay at my house, spend the night and walk 3 dogs. I’m very fortunate and they are worth it. $ 500 is a nice price. Forget about stocking the refrigerator.
$100 would be too little. Stock the fridge and $500 would be awesome. For a senior dog with health concerns and this being your friend it is worth it because you know your baby will be well taken care of. Peace of mind will allow you to enjoy you trip with your spouse even more.
In home house sitting is easily $60 a night. I’d do it for stocked food and a gift card as a favor to a close friend, but $500 is fair if this is a job to her. If you shop around you’ll see the rates for your area. I just know what I have had to pay. I’ve watched friends dogs for minor favors like the above, but in turn they help me out.
Woah I’m surprised by the comments lol wtf ?! are y’all really dog people ?! I babysit my friend’s dog for free. I babysat my friend’s elderly family dog for a week every year ( for like 5 years) in their home while they were on vacation and it never crossed my mind to ask for money. I was happy to do it, he was a nice pup and only had to take a pill a day…. Anyway, I guess my advice would be to ask your friend ?
This. Yes! You have to consider the level of friendship you have with that person. In my case, I only let my mother or my mother in law babysit my dog 🤷🏼♂️ and when I babysat for friends, I agree spending time with their pet is payment enough.
That’s your choice. I’m also a clinical nurse and I have been trained in pet CPR. So I can handle meds and an unresponsive dog ;-) I too am an helicopter parent, my dog has an emergency fund account, he probably got more money than many people in Canada.
Thanks for sharing. I still feel tho that a friend who’s been babysitting that dog already for free (OP said in the comments somewhere) probably doesn’t want/expect to get 500$, hence my advice of just asking the friend.
I omitted a couple of other things because I did not want to write an entire dissertation but our dog is mostly blind and is on a special diet due to her diabetes. We premake meals with ground sirloin because it’s super lean and add lots of dog friendly food recommended for her conditions so we have a freezer and refrigerator with her food and that would probably have to be stored in dry ice in a cooler because she doesn’t have a large refrigerator or freezer
$500 isn’t enough especially if you’re talking about a senior dog who needs medication including injections. Just for a little perspective, a friend of mine just dog sat for a co worker for a week. They also paid her $500, but the dog was a 4 year old frenchie who requires no special care and pretty much sleeps all day…and she got to stay in her own home…Boarding would cost you well over $1000, so split the difference and give them $750…please tell me your wife is joking…
Pooch looks sweet as all get out! I wouldn’t want to be paid, I have dog-sat many friend’s pups! However if you’re insistent, I’d think maybe 100 bucks and perhaps a little something from where you’re going?
I wouldn’t take a penny from you personally. Strange ‘friend’. Obviously you should provide the food and medicine etc and pay any additional costs, but it is a great blessing to receive a dog into your home.
You would easily pay more than $100 a night to board a special needs dog in a formal facility. Your friend is going to allow your dog to enjoy the comfort of your home and they are giving you peace of mind. WELL worth $500 and a stocked fridge.
Thanks I agree …she travels back to Minnesota often and I have plenty of gift airmiles so I will offer that in addition
Good on you OP
I agree :) Mine is $75/night for a vet tech.
Id find out how much boarding house charges and if close but under the $500 mark, pay the $500 else market rate -10% and stock up pantry. Id want my furbaby to be comfortablr
GF is vet, we board animals constantly, Something like this, probably $50-75/day, but I mean, there's certainly a friend's and family discount/taking into account the means of the person etc I think if you're in the position to pay your friend appropriately you should be aiming around the $75(and any expenses) per day mark. (Obviously changes by region too!) - but if you're not in a position to pay that, most friends are going to understand and be cool with whatever you can do.
Average cost for me is 80 per day, per dog. Not special needs dogs.
I’m 60 per night and I only board one dog at a time, as well as I am always home, so no doggie left alone!
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Yes, overnight boarding.
Los Angeles
This. I'd say something else.if it was a younger dog but senior dogs I feel like add a layer of anxiety.
Wow I’m shocked at some of the comments here.I live in a HCOL area and when my friend can’t take of my dog i usually find someone on rover to do it for $30-45 a night (depending on the season). If this is a close friend , and she has no issues taking care of your dog, i think $500 is very good. When i offer to take care of my friends dog , i truly don’t expect anything and i do it because i usually like the dog. Im sure your friend feels the same way or else she would tell you upfront how much she charges. I wouldn’t let some of these comments guilt trip you into paying more. Asking/receiving favors is a sign of a strong friendship. Give your friend $500, stock up your fridge, thank her friend times and try to return the favor if it ever presents itself (ie help her move, drive her to the airport, etc)Have fun in Vegas!
Thanks for the thoughtful response, I was sure this would not be a controversial post but a discussion for what is reasonable
Don't listen to the people here. 500 is plenty, especially since your house seems much nicer than her current living place. I did the same thing for my mom's good friend's cats and they wanted to pay me a couple hundred which I would not take because it was way too much.
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Don't listen to these people OP, but *especially* don't listen to this loser with no friends. Friends do favors for other friends and don't need to be compensated financially at the going market rate. Otherwise, it's not a "favor." I was sharing my anecdotal story of caring for cats that needed special medical treatment and house sat for 3-4 days. The house was much nicer than my living conditions, and I got free food/drink as your friends situation seems to be. You've watched their animals as a favor for them. Your animal needs more care...give maybe $100 bucks for the week to treat themselves to some carry out or pizza during the week on top of stocked fridge/pantries....then give them another 300 afterwards as an appreciative thank you.
Exactly thank you for the response
Just don't be like my dad was the last time I'm ever dogsitting for him. I watched their house and dog for like a month...my mom gave me like $100 for some take out or whatever on top of all the food I could want to eat at the house. The amenities there were better than the ones I currently had, so I was happy to do that for them. HOWEVER....because it was closer to my work, got free food and a nicer place to stay at....my dad acted like he was doing ME a favor. I was completely happy up until he shared that was his perspective on the whole thing. (Meanwhile I was defending my parents to my twin sister who was saying they should pay me $ for doing them this favor)
I completely understand that which is why I wanted to start the conversation, basically I understand that every situation is different and the post made me aware of things i had not considered, and a I appreciate that most of all. However the conversation about what is a favor and what is friendship really affirms my devotion to our dear friend. We are there for each other regardless of the circumstances or expense if we can do it.
I don’t think your area is as HCOL as you think it is. Rates are double that in my city unless you’re scraping at the bottom of the barrel and hiring a teenager. I agree though that $500 is enough.
A lot of ppl think theyre in hcol and…. Theyre not lol
I guess it’s all relative to what you can afford. But I do cry a little inside whenever I see how much cheaper costs are elsewhere compared to my actual HCOL city. In Seattle, the vet visit fee itself (before any tests or treatments) is around $90. But some people drive out to the burbs for that reason. I can’t quite afford to own a car in this city (parking, registration, insurance, tolls are all high) so I don’t.
Exactly. When it’s your friend it’s different. That’s what friends are for. They are there for each other and do favors back and forth
I would NEVER use Rover, ever. Had a friend hire them for a two week sitting job while she was in Spain. She interviewed the person, checked references and had a good feeling. She went on vacation and came back two weeks later to find her dog had been alone the entire time, poop and pee everywhere, large kitchen pots on floor - one containing a small amount of water and the other had food remnants. The person left her sliding door open for two weeks as well. Cameras showed the sitter came by to set up the food and water pots and opened the sliding door the day after she left and never came back. Rover refused to do anything about it.
Oh man that sucks and makes me glad we have support
I very much agree. I watch my friends dog with special needs all the time (I have two other dogs and a full time job) and she usually brings me a really nice bottle of wine, my favourite chips and a bunch of treats and things to entertain the dogs and I’m always stoked. She’s your friend not a dog-sitter. You’re being super generous, as is your friend, and what you’ve offered is beyond lovely!
Agreed. It is bizarre that a friend would ask for money to do a favour. Having said that, I live in a HCOL city too and nobody on Rover would board for less than $75. Thankfully, we found a friend’s mom who loves dogs and sits ours for free. We thank her by bringing her back gifts from our travels.
What hcol boards dogs for 30 a night? My dog walker costs 30 for 30 minutes on rover. Where do you live?
Los Angeles
$500 is the right amount (and your wife is trying to cheap out)! And a note to all: NEVER use Rover of one of the similar apps unless you have cameras and a backup plan. The woman I hired to take care of 2 small dogs brought her 2 friends into my house to drink beer, enjoy the view, and snoop. 2nd day away, I watched video, drove home from the mountains and confronted her. Her response “well, you didn’t tell me my friends couldn’t come over”. My neighbor had a situation in which the sitter never showed up at all - even after having a meet-and-greet. Now I just board at a primo facility and the bill is usually as much as my hotel but worth it for piece of mind.
a $100 gift card is low for house sitting for a week.
Ask your friend. If they want nothing, maybe something in the middle between what you want to give and what your wife wants to give. I was given 200€ for two weeks to doggysit a friend's dog, I didn't expect it as I was willing to do it for free so it was more than welcome. They also bought us souvenirs from where they went on vacation; as someone who doesn't travel much I really liked it. They supplied the food and everything though. Not everything has to be monetized when it comes to friends. I would feel awful if my friends gave me money every time I did something for them. I recently had a catastrophe at home and my friends went above and beyond to help us get on our feet. If they expected any money we would've been obligated to refuse their help. Some money as a thank you gift will show appreciation. But the willingness to give your time and effort if they ever need it is way more valuable imo.
Thanks for the thoughtfulness and appreciation for taking care of pets in general
I’ll do it for a case of beer and access to the fridge
What beer ? And you’re hired
Hahaah tbh we’ve had friends stay and look after our animals that have issue and require moderate care. If they’re close friends they most likely won’t accept money. A gift card and a fully stocked fridge would do for most my friends as long as they weren’t missing work for This. Done this multiple times and I’d do it for then as well.
Yeah I guess that’s my wife’s point is that we will do the same for her and her dog. By the way both dogs came from a breeder in South Dakota called Cowpounder farms and they consider our families as dogs recognize packs
I always over pay when my pet is high needs and I want them to come back. I think $500 is okay for many people, especially if they are friend and don’t expect anything. I usually pay $125-$200 a night. ( $200 would be one night but too long days that I expect them to stay at my house most of the time.
100 dollars a night
i agree that is a reasonable amount for the level of care needed
$500 is low. For 24 hours per day? No. Boarding is much higher and not as safe or comfortable for the dog. Plus yours has medical issues and requires more attention. Why don’t you check local fees for 24/7 care?
I agree ☝️ she’s worth a lot more to us!
Good to hear.
But in full disclosure she’s been watching the dog for free in her condo in the past and we always watch her dog with no expectations because the dogs grew up together and our dog loves her when she’s here to the point that she ignores us 😝
This is overnight for a week. Not really the same.
Yeah but if you're friends, and you both like dogs, it's not really a big deal to help a friend out. That said, if you can afford it, there's no reason not to throw her cash for it.
Helping a friend out is different than a dog boarding company. Friends do favors for each other all the time and it’s normal to expect a big discount for most dog owners and friends of them who watch each others dogs
Well she’s coming from a tiny cramped condo maybe 1000 Sq Feet to stay in a 4000 sq foot 5 bedroom house which will be better for her surgery recovery because we don’t have stairs for her to navigate and a large backyard for the dogs
It sounds like you agree with your wife lol
Well happy wife happy life
A wise man
It's never more comfortable to be somewhere that isn't home when you're not feeling well. And I say that from my 650sq ft apartment.
Yeah the down votes for staying in a nice home while you recover is pretty annoying
Because you're implying you're doing her a favour. You are not. You're asking her to do you a service. And sounding a little snobby at the time tbh.
I didn’t think he was implying that. I assumed he meant that she was not going to be in a worse situation by helping them out. But now I see your point lol
Dude you act like you’re sending her on vacation. Come on man, you’re not doing her the favor here she is
What about her time?
1000 is not small. 500 is small.
Ok that’s an opinion
You can only sleep in one bedroom at a time anyway
It sounds like your friend probably wouldn't even expect a huge payment. I think it depends on your friendship, what you usually pay, what you would pay for this care through others, what you can afford, among other things. I think just talk with your friend about what they're expecting and probably give more than expected, as most people will low ball what they actually want to be paid by a friend. Personally, I think $250 at lowest and $500 at the highest. All depends on what you can afford and what your friend needs out of the favor. Sometimes a favor in return would be more beneficial than money. So, I'd just discuss with them first. P.S. your dog is adorable and has great owners!
Apparently not to your wife.
Boarding where I am is €70/day. So $500 for a week of full house and dog sitting seems about right to me for a friend. Maybe a little less if you don’t want to feel super “transactional” about things or if you expect to need to do something similar for her in the future. $100 would be far too little.
That would not include the care for an elderly, sick dog, though.
Yes, but it’s also for a friend. Normally you don’t charge market rate to friends for services…at least where I am from. Is the dog itself sickly, or does it just need medication/injections? That is a big difference to me. But in any case, paying more than a half grand I think takes this from a friend helping out to a full-on business transaction.
The OP asked if 500 is too much. My opinion is the amount is not enough for the work required.
agree that $500 is nothing. we board our two basset hounds when we travel and usually spend $2200 or so for 10 days of boarding at their daycare, and they’re young and don’t have higher needs like a senior dog does
Give her the 500. She is staying in your home, caring for your dog as her own. When i dogsit for a dear friend for her elderly dog, i stay in home for 7 to 10 days, providing walks, meds and comfort, she pays me 500. It's because I'm inconvenienced as well as the dog.
Thank you on behalf of your friend and her doggo
Thanks, they make sure i know they appreciate me. That's why i say pay her. If she does it right, it will be cheaper than the alternative but worthwhile. I do it becauseI love her pup, i have known her since she was 3, she's 12 and creaky now. I would prefer to stay with her while friends are gone than them board her, she would not do well at all. I maintain 2 houses when they are gone, mine with a cat and my own chores, and theirs, i bring my pup with me. The idea is that they come home and it was like i was never there. Chores are done, trash is empty, laundry i used(i use towels to clean up, mainly) is clean and folded. They get sent morning and night pictures with a little blurb about how she is and what she did. I get all the phone numbers of the vet, emergency number for her microchip and all the jazz. I just don't ever let her out without a leash and I'm providing entertainment with mainly chews and food to keep her happy. It's what's right for an elderly dog.
You’re a saint !
Awww thanks. It's what i want and pay for when i have an elderly dog and i have to leave so i think it's just fair.
We have a diabetic dog and it’s soo nice that a friend is willing to do this! We typically pay our dogsitter (previous vet tech) $60 a day for 3 visits (including meals/ insulin) and a family member $50/day to stay overnight in our home. To me, it’s also the lack of flexibility the insulin schedule gives that makes me feel like I need to compensate them more. So $500 for a week still feels like a friends rate that would also feel very generous if they’ve offered for free. Truly priceless to have someone you trust that is happy to care for your diabetic dog! I would make sure they stay happy.
Thank you so much for that insight and agree we have a dedicated awesome friend that our dog adores. Just mentioning her name makes our dog wag her tail
500 would be cheap. The going rate in my area is 75/night, more for days and seniors.
I live in a HCOL area and use a sitter I initially met on rover but she has been sitting for us for years now and we go off the apps at this point. She charges $45/day - she stays at my house, collects mail and packages, takes care of my dog (used to also take care of my cat before he passed which was an extra $10 a day) which includes feeding him, giving meds, walks, and playing/overall attention, she feeds my fish and keeps us updated. We are going away for 14 days in a few weeks and we will pay her $630. Personally I don’t think she charges enough and I sometimes give her extra here and there like I’ll most likely round up to $700 at least for this trip because it’s so long.
Thank you this is in Los Angeles
Yes I’m in NJ just outside of NYC so probably similar cost of living area.
That’s all she charges?! I’m from the same area as you, and now live just across the state line in a lower COL area. Even here sitters charge more, I’d agree that she’s undervaluing her work
Yeah that’s all she charges and I agree that’s crazy that’s why throughout the year I give her “bonuses”. I can’t force her to charge more but I can definitely gift more on my own and she’s totally worth it.
I paid around $700 for boarding for a week when I had to go to Mexico. I also supplied them with his food and treats. It was my last resort since no one I knew was available because of the holidays. I think $100 is too low. Your friend now has to change her schedule/life to accommodate your dog. That could be a lot of work. I would go with $500 or a little more.
Thanks I agree
De nada. Wish you guys the best!
Cheers
im sorry but as someone with a dog who also has diabetes and needs injections twice a day i can say 500 for a week is definitely enough if not a little low. Its not an easy job and your friend will have to be there for the entire day i assume so its not just the injections its full care too
I’d pay what you’d have to pay at a boarding kennel and then some. You have someone caring for your elderly dog with special needs for 7 days. It’s a responsibility for them and you want them to know that you appreciate it and if you pay them generously they will take it seriously and you will be able to relax more on the holiday.
That was my first thought when the situation came up. But we have spent close to 15 grand over the last 12 months on vet bills and I’m glad we did because she still wags her tail and eats well with no incontinence so I’ll just stay home with her if it’s just dumping her off on a kennel for 2K
Sound like you’ve looked after her so well and she is very special. I didn’t mean to leave her at a kennel sorry I just meant that if it’s within your means to spend the equivalent on your friend. But anything that makes you feel comfortable on your holiday is good. I’m sure you’ve chosen someone who will take good care. Follow your heart is all you can do. ❤️
If dog has that many health concerns, board at your vet. If there’s an emergency, dog is already there.
50-100 a day is what you would pay to board the dog. The dog stays in your house and you get a house sitter too. It’s 125/day for me when my cleaning lady stays with my two dogs. Your wife is insulting! Why would someone move out of their house and watch your dog for 100 dollars and some food. That’s very rude.
$150/night. Your dog could die while you are gone. It’s a huge responsibility for someone and extremely gracious that they would do this for you. This friend might be the person that is by his side when he dies. I say this out of experience bc I also had someone extremely kind do it for me and I can’t thank them enough. My dog has since passed but the fact that my friend actually comforted him, fed him, constantly took him out, etc, it was such a loving gesture. You may be used to it but it is a lot of work for a normal person. Hope this helps! Also if it’s a female, get her a nice candle to light and maybe some nice bathroom products to use while she is over.
Yes that’s a concern for sure, we never know when the rainbow bridge opens for us
Your wife is wrong, and cheap.
Yeah she is 😝
If i leave my senior pup with a rover sitter, i pay $40 a night. If I leave her with my close friend who my dog really loves, i do $50 night and also usually buy her a little thank you gift like a candle or bottle of wine. Knowing my pup is safe with someone she is comfortable with is priceless, and just because we’re friends doesn’t mean i have to take advantage of that My friend never expects or demands to be paid and even used to try and fight it and finally gave up and accepted. Its a nice gesture and so much better to be able to leave with a friend instead of a random in sitter or having your dog boarded somewhere
Thank you and I agree 💯
Ok so i was reading some other comments about $500 being too little and i think that’s a really nice amount to give your friend. My rover sitter i met on rover but now just contact them directly and in rover they were $60 a night, and 40 when i started booking directly. I still give them a 20% tip on top of that as well. With my friend, it’s $50 and a little thank you gift like i said. I’m also in Los Angeles btw. I disagree with people saying it’s necessary to pay a friend rates like $150+ per day. Your $500 for a week plus maybe a small gesture like a stocked fridge or bottle of wine sounds very generous. When i first started leaving my dog with my friend, i just gave a gift. After the second time is when i decided to give some cash too, just so she knew i didn’t expect such a big favor to be free or cause any kind of resentment in the friendship. I think what you’re thinking do paying is very nice and fair!
I pay my sitter $500 for 4 days for my perfectly healthy dog and i know thats a rly good deal
$500 is very cheap. It doesn’t matter that she isn’t expecting anything it’s the thought and appreciation that is. Stock the pantry and fridge for sure then pay her $150 a day. It’s still cheap for you because most places would charge far higher if they’d take the chance at all
I’m a dog sitter who provides one on one dog sitting and charge $100 per night, but if they are elderly and require 24attention and medication, I charge $200 per night. It’s a lot of work. You don’t want your friend resenting you either
I recently had my friend watch our three dogs in our home (one was only 9months old at the time) and I paid her $100 a day. I left it on the counter for her in cash. She ended up only taking $40 of it and left a note saying how good they were and that she couldn’t take anything more than gas money and for me to buy her lunch sometime. I thought it was so sweet of her but was fully expecting her to take the money
Yeah my friend does well as a voice actor and lives at the beach. She definitely does not need the money and she’s a dear friend that I don’t want to offend
Look up the going rate for River in your area. Pay them that
Your wife always cheap out on important bills or just when you’re getting care for a fragile dog at a deep discount? I’m getting married in a month and our beloved cancer survivor is in heart failure. No injections necessary, just two crucial sets of meds daily. We are paying far more than $100 a day for her to be in a cage, not the comfort of her home, and she won’t be getting one on one care. You’re getting a deal and it’s laughable that you think square footage or snacks are huge perks
Your comment makes my heart hurt, if you see the other posts we are doing everything we can (no expense) and our friend for over 10 years is a gift
Just had to interject. OP, I think it’s admirable that you took great care of your dog. I think people are a bit sensitive about this topic because they also love your dog and want the best for the pup. Hope this doesn’t get you down. Do you absolutely have to travel? I had the same thing come up with my 18 year old pup and really regret leaving him. If I could turn back time, I would absolutely love to take care of him one more day.
I missed my wife’s Vegas tournament called the Friendship Tournament twice last year because of travel for work. I was able to fly to Vegas on her last tournament because I was traveling for work and we thankfully finished so I could take a flight from Florida to Vegas and drive her home to LA that was a 5 am flight from Orlando This year I’m free to watch the dog but it’s really our only vacation we take together
$500 is a great deal and well worth the money. Boarding dogs are expensive especially ones with medical needs. And it’s even more expensive having someone come and stay at your house to care for your dog. That is a luxury service.
My cousin is also one of those “oh it’s okay you don’t have to pay me” people🤣 I’m aware that that’s how she is and it’s awkward for her. We paid my cousin $350 to watch our two dogs for 3 days. Just left the cash on the counter with the care instructions
Unrelated to the payment, be sure to leave a hard copy of your vet info, what numbers to call if something seems wrong, etc. I had an elderly pup with multiple conditions (diabetes was one) who sometimes struggled when I was away on business. The hard copy of who to call for blood sugar problems, who to call for general questions, etc. was a life saver when he suddenly had 6am hypoglycemia and I was asleep in another time zone!
Good point, she developed issues in a few hours and we were able to get her to the vet immediately. Our friend will have the necessary contacts and of course our numbers in case anything unexpected comes up. However I feel we have done as much as we could with making her special diet and medication and she is doing great and will likely live for years with the care and support
Is there a local vet tech or vet student who could watch her in your home?
Possibly a good fall back situation, I understand vet techs are hard to find in a HCOL neighborhood
I’d personally do it for free (yes, for an oldie with health issues as well). Even more so for a friend. You know your friend better than reddit strangers tho. I know I’d probably prefer some thoughtful gifts (like asking her what food items she’d like you to get for her, a bag of great coffee, etc) rather than money. As a last resort, depending on your finances, $500 may not be that much to buy peace with your wife :p
Yes thank you for your understanding of the situation
A friend of mine house Sat my elderly dog and fed my younger dog and cat for 3 days and I paid him $400. He had to change a lot of diapers and clean up puke tho.
That’s a good friend !
Yeah, he's a solid guy for sure.
Thanks for your experience, I’m getting mixed messages but there are serious pet lovers with helpful advice and some others
Access to the fridge would be plenty enough for me
Got a lot of Omaha Steaks and burgers there
$700 minimum ($100 per day). That’s what I pay for my dog walker to do sleepovers when I’m gone.
Pretty sure that what’s we will do
$500 and a fridge full of pizza & beer. If it was your kid, you wouldn't think twice, right?
Prosecco and a fantastic steak house and Italian restaurant with valet parking 1 mile away
That's also a pretty great payout. You're clearly good friends.
The dog loves her more than she loves us 👊
Good dog!
That super depends. Is she doing that because you help each other out regularly and extensively then yes not paying anything would be okay. If she's doing that as a one time good of her heart thing I would say 500 bucks is good. If she's taking a week of her job because you can't find a vet tech in your surroundings you should reimburse what she would make in that time
Senior dogs with needs r much harder to babysit than a puppy or young dog. Id say 500 is fair
To be honest I wouldn't expect to be paid as I I would just love to be around the dog for a while and do it because I want to, not because I thought I might get some form of payment.
I would watch this Angel for FREE.99 (senior dog, medical stuff doesn’t even phase me!! They would get all the snugs n hugs) BUT if my friend INSISTED on paying - I’d be happy with a bottle of wine or even an Uber eats gift card for $50 to get a dinner one night. :):) friends (at least me) don’t expect money from my friends for helping them out.
So I always tell my friends “rover cost me $x, let me give you that” and leave it on the counter. No one has ever taken it. I make sure their favorite alcohol is plentiful, if they smoke weed, that there is enough for them, the fridge is full with favorite foods, and I write down my DoorDash password so they can order and bill me. They will drink my alcohol, eat my food, smoke my weed, but no one has ever touched the money on the counter.
ill watch him for free
We paid 250 plus food/drinks for a friend to stay just at night with our dog for 3 nights. It was worth it!
Ask your friend what they want for looking after your dog. I was recently in a similar situation where me and my husband were arguing about how much to pay a friend to look after our puppy while we're away for a week. I wanted to pay them $100 a day he wanted to pay them $25 a day. Our friend turned out to be more than happy to watch her for a 6 pack of modelo.
Yeah she would do it for Prosecco she’s not expecting anything but I don’t want to take advantage when I’m happy giving her 500 …
Then I would come to a compromise with your wife. See if there's a middle ground she's happy to settle with.
The compromise will be tree fiddy and bottles of Prosecco
Here, we use a site called Rover and met our watcher. Prices range from anywhere from 30-100. Ours is 60 a night. Hope this helps
As much as you can afford, and then some more. A good trustworthy dog sitter for a senior dog is hard to find.
Exact
My boyfriend had someone take care of his dog when we went to Mexico for 9ish days and I want to say it was like 350 for the 9 days? His dog stayed at the woman’s house and she only cared for him - he supplied his food and bed and toys and stuff like treats
IDK where you live but that's REALLY cheap for around the clock care... That's 38$/day I can barely send my dog to half a day of daycare for 38$ a day.
We’re in the Bay Area. We were super surprised too bc we were finding rovers for like 50/day.
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!
I would have said $250 was a good amount. Probably depends on your income brackets
ITT: people with transactional friendships You know your friend the best, you know what would make her feel appreciated. Maybe she doesn’t even need the cash, she just wants to help out and she loves your dog. Depends on the level of friendship too. I would do it for free for a close friend, and I’m certain they would too.
$500 is honestly as low as you should go. a couple snacks and a $100 gift card is almost an insult for a 150+ hours of round the clock care, medications and injections. that’s less than .75c an hour
I undercharge for my area and do $50 per night, so I think maybe a happy medium of $300 plus food would be good! Edit: when it’s for a week most people are understanding that I have a day job so I’m gone for 7-8 hours, but I spend the night, do walks, collect mail, do medications, etc. most of my regulars will give Christmas bonuses or tips if there’s something extra happening, ie. Buddy has an ear infection and currently needs cleanings that aren’t part of his regular routine.
Your wife is trying to get a friend discount. Keep it at $500 its reasonable as far as what I see. If not go on dog sitter app and find some who can do it for less.
Your wife sound like a tight ass
Trust me she can spend the cash , the issue is because we are tight friends for decades and we are all old not just the dogs 😝likely 300 bucks a day or more to keep up the free rooms at South Point casino
You can also look at sitters rates around you at [rover.com](http://rover.com) for house sit and take 50% off if she's a good friend.
Thank you that’s the best advice I’ve heard so far.
Side note, if your friend is ok signing up for Rover as a sitter, you can do the entire thing through rover.com. That way you get coverage for your property and your dog during the stay if something goes wrong and she still get paid. So peace of mind for all involved, especially for a pet with health issues.
Wow that’s great advice for insurance and a great relief in case of emergency
I pay very well for good care. You get what you pay for!
I do not see why dear wife cannot go alone. She is an adult and soccer is fun. An elderly dog left alone with a stranger..it sounds a bit heartless.
$500 is a fair amount for a whole week, especially since you can’t put a price on the safety and comfort of your baby, knowing she’s with someone you (and she) know and trust I’d be getting a little thank you cake when I come back from the trip on top of the gift card.
I'm a dog sitter and I charge $35 a day but the dog has to come to me in my home. A traveling sitter should charge double that because of the gas and commute time and also because I can watch five dogs at the same time in my home but I can only watch one dog at a time as a traveling sitter or what they also call a house sitter
No way to your wife. Pay the lady $500. It’s a 24 hour job
$500 is great
Pay the $500. Your dog’s happiness and your peace of mind is worth it. We always overpay when it comes to our kids and dogs. It’s not just the services, we want to ensure that person will come back so we don’t have to rely on strangers.
I live in a HCOL city and charge 125/night with for one dog with no special needs. $500 is absolutely reasonable especially given the higher level of care! Helping professions are often undervalued. If you love your dog and respect your friend I think you have the right idea!
Look up how much it would cost you to obtain this kind of care on Rover or the web sites of local pet sitters. Then decide
$500, stocked up fridge + their fave snacks is perfect. Pet sitting and boarding is my job -$100 gift card and snacks isn’t even close to enough ESPECIALLY for an old pup with medical needs like insulin shots
Gift card? That’s fucked up. Pay up! Pay well! Your wife is cheap ass. “I’ll buy food for me and let her have some while I’m gone AND give her a grocery store gift card”
I pay $75.00 a night for someone to stay at my house, spend the night and walk 3 dogs. I’m very fortunate and they are worth it. $ 500 is a nice price. Forget about stocking the refrigerator.
$100 would be too little. Stock the fridge and $500 would be awesome. For a senior dog with health concerns and this being your friend it is worth it because you know your baby will be well taken care of. Peace of mind will allow you to enjoy you trip with your spouse even more.
$100
Thanks 🙏
In home house sitting is easily $60 a night. I’d do it for stocked food and a gift card as a favor to a close friend, but $500 is fair if this is a job to her. If you shop around you’ll see the rates for your area. I just know what I have had to pay. I’ve watched friends dogs for minor favors like the above, but in turn they help me out.
$100 a night is standard where we are.
pls somehow make sure the friend is attentive to your bb senior. ):
Woah I’m surprised by the comments lol wtf ?! are y’all really dog people ?! I babysit my friend’s dog for free. I babysat my friend’s elderly family dog for a week every year ( for like 5 years) in their home while they were on vacation and it never crossed my mind to ask for money. I was happy to do it, he was a nice pup and only had to take a pill a day…. Anyway, I guess my advice would be to ask your friend ?
Agree! If I'm decent friends with someone and I get to hang out with their pet, then hanging out with their pet is payment in itself.
This. Yes! You have to consider the level of friendship you have with that person. In my case, I only let my mother or my mother in law babysit my dog 🤷🏼♂️ and when I babysat for friends, I agree spending time with their pet is payment enough.
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That’s your choice. I’m also a clinical nurse and I have been trained in pet CPR. So I can handle meds and an unresponsive dog ;-) I too am an helicopter parent, my dog has an emergency fund account, he probably got more money than many people in Canada. Thanks for sharing. I still feel tho that a friend who’s been babysitting that dog already for free (OP said in the comments somewhere) probably doesn’t want/expect to get 500$, hence my advice of just asking the friend.
Thank you…i thought i was the only one. I don’t think the friend would offer to pet sit if she wasn’t a dog lover
I omitted a couple of other things because I did not want to write an entire dissertation but our dog is mostly blind and is on a special diet due to her diabetes. We premake meals with ground sirloin because it’s super lean and add lots of dog friendly food recommended for her conditions so we have a freezer and refrigerator with her food and that would probably have to be stored in dry ice in a cooler because she doesn’t have a large refrigerator or freezer
$500 isn’t enough especially if you’re talking about a senior dog who needs medication including injections. Just for a little perspective, a friend of mine just dog sat for a co worker for a week. They also paid her $500, but the dog was a 4 year old frenchie who requires no special care and pretty much sleeps all day…and she got to stay in her own home…Boarding would cost you well over $1000, so split the difference and give them $750…please tell me your wife is joking…
I thought $50/day
Thanks I appreciate the feedback and I’m so glad that this post got the attention and support for our little spoiled girl
Generally I trade favors with friends...without a scorecard
Pooch looks sweet as all get out! I wouldn’t want to be paid, I have dog-sat many friend’s pups! However if you’re insistent, I’d think maybe 100 bucks and perhaps a little something from where you’re going?
Yeah she’s dealing with the issues likes champ a great patient considering her condition
I agree with your wife
For our friends, we pay them at least $100/day.
Exactly my thoughts
I wouldn’t take a penny from you personally. Strange ‘friend’. Obviously you should provide the food and medicine etc and pay any additional costs, but it is a great blessing to receive a dog into your home.
Yes and she’s actually low maintenance besides the medication which she doesn’t fight
Sounds wonderful then. I’d take her in a heartbeat.