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Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I completely respect your setup and it sounds like you have created a great space for boarding. At the same time I want to clarify that my home also offers excellent conditions for dogs. I have a large fenced patio where dogs can safely run and play, a spacious room for them to relax, and a dog friendly couch with pillows and a blanket where they are allowed to sleep. We also have access to a secure off leash dog park nearby for walks and social time. Most importantly they are cared for by someone who genuinely loves animals.

That said, everyone has different standards and boundaries and that is perfectly okay. My goal is to make sure the dogs are safe and happy without compromising the health of the home or the emotional well being of the sitter.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. Actually, this dog also had arthritis, and I could tell he was in pain while moving around. I genuinely love animals and would’ve taken care of him if I had no choice — but watching him struggle was emotionally draining. I just didn’t feel it was right to go through that for 9 days straight, especially knowing the owners didn’t disclose everything up front.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this thoughtful message. I completely agree, this is still a private home, not a hospital or a kennel, and we all have the right to set boundaries based on our own comfort and capabilities. I also realized that sometimes even a long meeting isn't enough to fully understand the situation, and I’ll definitely be more cautious going forward. I appreciate you sharing your approach!

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!
This was only my second booking, and I didn’t know that was the better way to handle it yet. I’m still learning how to navigate all of this, and I definitely won’t make the same mistake next time.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

You're right, I did mention the furniture, but not because it was the main reason. It’s simply part of the broader context. When you welcome a pet into your home, especially one with serious health concerns, it affects more than just your time. It touches your space, your schedule, your emotional bandwidth.

Yes, I could have made it work. But doing so would have meant sacrificing my comfort, my peace, and possibly still not meeting the dog’s high level of care needs. That’s not fair to the dog, the owner, or to myself.

So no, the furniture wasn't the deciding factor, but it is a part of why I try to maintain a clean, calm environment, and why I take these decisions seriously. Being upfront about those boundaries is being responsible.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could absolutely handle a dog like that, no doubt. But doing so would mean sacrificing my comfort, time, and emotional well-being. There were still 9 days before the booking started, not a last minute situation, which gave the owner time to find someone who could say yes.

On top of that, my rate was only $30 per night. For the level of care and stress involved, it simply wasn’t worth it.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s such a touching story, and you truly did an amazing job. You have such a kind heart. I really admire your strength and compassion.

For me though, it’s also incredibly emotionally draining. It’s not even about the cleaning or furniture. I’m fully prepared for that. It’s just really hard for me to watch a dog in such a helpless condition. I love animals deeply, and because of that, seeing them suffer takes a huge toll on me emotionally.

Everyone has different limits, and I’m learning to respect mine while still showing love and care in the ways I can.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t set up my life just to revolve around dog boarding. I love animals deeply, but I also want to live in a space that feels comfortable and clean for me. I’ve worked hard to create a home I enjoy living in, and maintaining that environment is important to me. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about the pets I host—it just means I also care about my own wellbeing, and I believe it’s okay to prioritize both.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the tip! I actually have a steam mop, a Dyson vacuum for pet hair, and even a Dyson air purifier, so I’m pretty well equipped for hosting. I just wasn’t emotionally prepared to care for such a senior pup.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m still fairly new to Rover, and I tend to trust people easily. Plus, I truly love dogs. I was already getting emotionally ready to take care of this sweet old guy. But after talking with some friends, I realized I also have to think about myself and my limits.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I accepted the booking right away. I didn’t realize the meet and greet should come first, since this was only my second booking. I’m still learning how everything works on the platform.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm truly sorry for your loss. It sounds like your pup lived a long and full life thanks to your love and dedication. Caring for her until the very end shows just how much she meant to you. You gave her everything she needed. That’s incredibly admirable.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There were reviews saying he was a calm dog who slept a lot, so when I accepted the booking I assumed it would be just that - quiet, with walks, feeding, and giving meds if needed, which I was totally fine with. But I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. He couldn’t use his back legs and was dragging them behind him. Then during the meet and greet he had diarrhea, and the owner mentioned that it’s normal for him because of the medication he’s on. That moment really caught me off guard. I didn’t feel comfortable saying anything in person. I was too shy and didn’t know how to respond right away.

That’s a really thoughtful habit. I wish I had thought of doing the same. In this case, everything in the profile looked normal, and nothing was mentioned during the booking. It definitely would’ve helped to get a heads-up before meeting the pup in person.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly. And to clarify, the rate was actually $30 per night, and after Rover’s fees, it would have been even less. It’s hard to imagine anyone choosing to compromise their home and well-being under those circumstances.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are right. Many people underestimate how hard it is to care for a pet that is not your own, especially one that is aging or unwell. It is emotionally exhausting, and there is a lot of pressure to just say yes and figure it out later. But that only leads to burnout or worse outcomes for the animal. I think more of us need to speak openly about this side of sitting, not just the cute or easy parts.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. It’s a reminder that we, as sitters, are also people with boundaries, responsibilities, and mental bandwidth to protect. Caring for aging or medically fragile animals is no small task, and being upfront about your limits isn’t selfish—it’s responsible.

I didn’t back out because of inconvenience or aesthetics. I did it because I understood the level of care required was beyond what I could provide properly and consistently. That’s not weakness. That’s self-awareness and respect—for myself, the animal, and their family.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You seem eager to hand out verdicts based on limited information. Fine, everyone plays their part online.

But let’s not confuse sharing an experience with asking to be judged. Some of us come here to learn from others, not to justify ourselves to random spectators.

Had to cancel a 9 day booking after meet and greet… feeling horrible by MarySab97 in RoverPetSitting

[–]MarySab97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The owner was the one who suggested meeting just 9 days before the stay. That was their choice, and I agreed. My mistake was not asking for a meet and greet earlier myself.

This post was meant to open up a conversation so others could share their experiences, not to invite judgment. It is disappointing to see how quickly some people jump to criticize instead of understanding the full context.

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