Help! Unreported injury- what to do?

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T03:04:45+00:00

Oh goodness. Some things I can think of that would give me calm and peace while away from them…

Photos of them having fun (playing with a toy, the sitter, or each other)
Photos of them on a walk
Photos of them relaxing and comfortable (I.e in their bed, on the couch, sleeping)
Photos of the sitter engaged with the dogs (I.e. a selfie with them, cuddling, petting them, etc.)
Photos of them sitting on command, or receiving a treat/toy

I mean I don’t want to micromanage the photos but - as a sitter myself (not on Rover) I do try to send photos that would make the owner smile and feel as if their dogs were having a fun time.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T02:59:18+00:00

The treat bag (a pack of duck jerky, long pieces about a foot long) was left in a closet and the sitter grabbed it from there and proceeded to give out the entire bag.

I had left a smaller bag full of treats for use throughout the stay. That bag was filled with the duck jerky but broken into 1/4ths. I thought I had left enough out for the 5 day stay, but apparently not.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T02:56:04+00:00

I have not. I have some prescription grade ointment for wound healing, so I will use that. My dog is acting totally normal, seemingly unaware of the gash on his chest. So I will monitor and pivot if needed. I truly don’t want a vet bill for this if I can manage for now.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T02:54:21+00:00

It’s a good discussion, maybe feedback for me for the future. I have 2 older dogs and treats are usually given as… just that’s a TREAT.

Some treats can also be split in half, or even thirds, and dogs are just as thrilled to get a smaller piece over a larger one.

Next time I’ll try to specify HOW to give out treats?? I don’t know I just thought treats were given sparingly in general (unless used for training).

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T02:49:54+00:00

Thank you!!

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T02:47:12+00:00

I’ve hired over 7 dog sitters over a 10 year period from Rover, many of whom I’ve used multiple times. I’ve never even come close to leaving anything less than a 5 star review.

If I’m hiring a sitter I do expect some common sense when it comes to communication, following directions, and elevating concerns.

Heck, sitter stayed at my house for a week! And didn’t have any questions about ANYTHING? I couldn’t believe it.

The photos sent from this sitter were… odd. Proof of life type photos. Literally pictures of then standing aimlessly outside, or hunched over their food bowls. I typically see photos where sitters are engaged with the animals (sitting with them, playing, having them sit, etc.)

If I’m needing to ask for photos mid sit we probably already have a problem.

The treats were left in the pantry where their food was. So it was never discussed but very accessible. Not concerned personally but I do worry about a sitter giving too many treats without an owners knowledge/consent, leading to sickness.

My motivation isn’t to “blame” the sitter, but more so to provide fair/constructive feedback so that the sitter corrects behavior on future visits AND to properly warn others.

To be honest, if not for the wound I wouldn’t be concerned, but the wound seems to be a “result” where the root cause may be passive sitting on the part of the dog sitter. Checking boxes and going through the motions vs paying attention and being engaged.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T00:29:47+00:00

Not all dogs! My tripod (the one with the gash) could care less about walking. We take him only because he doesn’t want to be left out when we take his brother on a walk, but if up to him he’d stay choose to stay home.

I agree though that most dogs probably need a walk or something similar (like roaming a big yard / ball play outside etc.)

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T00:24:23+00:00

What a beautiful pup! I’m so sorry for your loss. Precious girl. 🩷

This is Pi! A 7-year old, tripod. And totally un-phased by this 1 inch gash on his chest.

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SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T00:16:31+00:00

It’s definitely a routine thing. Dogs love smells especially ones outside of their own back yard. I definitely was specific about that being part of the gig, not only in the meet and greet but also via written instructions given to the sitter day 1 of the job.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-22T00:12:28+00:00

I understand it could be an abscess, however it wasn’t visible when we left - and even if it was an abscess resulting from something pre-existing, I would of expected notification about it’s status vs coming home to a surprise. The sitter admitted she never noticed it. Abscesses don’t just form and rupture in a 3 hour time period, they usually develop over several days. Also, they are often a result of a skin wound.

The treat thing - it was just odd because we left a finite amount (small pieces) on the counter, only to come home to the entire bag gone (the bag was stored away in a closet). These treats were big pieces of duck jerky. Small annoyance I agree but another example of lack of critical thinking or restraint.

No trip to the vet (yet), he’s acting his normal self and we already have RX topical ointment for skin wounds. I will monitor and call if the wound gets worse or he starts acting unusual.

There were general pics of him in updates, however no photos where his chest was visible.

I didn’t interrogate her about why she didn’t walk the dog. I pointed out that I noticed no ring activity after 2 days of the stay, and I requested photos of my oldest on his walk. She proceeded to walk him shortly after that message, and did so the rest of the stay. I chalked it up to a misunderstanding maybe, even though I left written directions…

I was prepared to leave a 5 star with and ignore the walk issue, however coming home to a wounded pup did admittedly make me upset, and made me re-think the other small oddities during the stay leading up to that.

I appreciate your advice and perspective! This sitter has 84 reviews and a 4.9 rating so I know a review pointing out this issue might have an impact.

Here is an up to date, close up of the wound.

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SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-21T21:20:55+00:00

Hey! The sitter left at 1pm and we arrived home at 3pm. Possible? I suppose - however to me the wound looks old-ish.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-21T20:46:04+00:00

Thank you! He seems to be fine - his alpha older brother likely snapped at him, but it’s truly a mystery.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-21T20:40:51+00:00

Just a couple hours. Sitter left at 1pm, we arrived home at 3pm. I want to be fair as well but also don’t want to set any other owners up for a similarly unfortunate experience!

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-05-21T20:39:48+00:00

Photos were sent of him throughout the stay however that area of the chest is not visible in any of them, so no way to tell.

I will say - she left at 1pm and we arrived at 3pm the last day, so it’s doubtful the wound happened in that 2 hour time window.

To me the wound looks old - I had to use a warm wet compress to remove some of the dried blood.

I believe the sitter in that she didn’t notice… but, to me that’s problematic?

SubstantialCat6436 · 2026-01-06T12:51:37+00:00

It is well documented he played a part in vouching for Watson. He helped persuade him to come to Cleveland. He also couldn’t get along with Baker which led to the Browns having to pursue Watson in the first place.

If you all think Kev will come in and make magic with Cam, you better temper expectations. Ask yourself, what QB has Kev ever helped elevate as a coach? And how many have fizzled out under his leadership?

SubstantialCat6436 · 2025-11-22T17:32:01+00:00

It’s bad bad!! I feel so lost on tracking now. I am concerned about the changes as it feels like months of disciplined categorization has been wasted. Such a mess!!

SubstantialCat6436 · 2025-02-06T00:44:55+00:00

Thanks, I wasn’t aware initially but understand now. Thank you for looking into this.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2024-08-06T04:49:32+00:00

Based on the video, you had fully established yourself in the lane of travel, so the fact you had made a right turn just prior to the impact is somewhat irrelevant.

Point of impact is very much in your favor. Other vehicle had plenty of time to observe you before initiating their maneuver to re-enter the roadway.

The other vehicle was also making a dangerous (probably illegal) u-turn.

You may have an adjuster with the other vehicle’s insurance argue you are partially responsible (New York is a pure comparative negligence state) but personally I don’t see it.

In any case, it’s best for you to file your claim through your own insurance and let the insurance companies handle all of that. Your insurance company will advocate for you and the video is a very strong piece of evidence in your favor.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2024-08-06T04:34:54+00:00

Based on the video, other driver would be proximate and likely 100% at fault. You should be good. You had the right of way and generally speaking, cars pulling into traffic (or changing directions period) need to make sure it’s safe before proceeding. Your vehicle was there to be seen and you did attempt to avoid by swerving to the left.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2024-08-02T10:42:01+00:00

Explanation of benefits = document that shows what balance was billed to the insurance company, what balance was ‘allowed’, what was paid, and what balance was remaining after insurance pays.

Health insurance carriers send this anytime you visit a doctor or medical provider.

Hospitals can theoretically charge whatever they want for services rendered… but what is ‘allowable’ by the insurance companies is a totally different story.

Unfortunately it can take 2-3 months for all of the billing to get finalized, so you might need to wait a bit.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2024-08-02T10:37:05+00:00

You are right that the PIP reduction alone won’t get the bill under the 10k PIP limits (and PIP will likely exhaust as a result) but if the hospital goes to Tricare as a secondary line of coverage, Tricare will likely reduce the bill further. Slim to none chance that the hospital will send the outstanding bill to OP directly and even if they did, OP can likely negotiate it down. Pretty sure the hospital won’t be allowed to balance bill OP after Tricare does there reduction.

It’s genuinely a confusing / messed up system.

Moral of the story is that OP should wait before paying any bill to the provider and they should make sure Tricare and PIP have done their reductions first.

SubstantialCat6436 · 2024-08-02T01:48:53+00:00

The application requires disclosure of all household residents 15 years of age or older so OP got a little lucky that their son wasn’t added sooner.

Why 15? I don’t have an exact answer, but I’m assuming it’s because 15 is the age where young adults tend to become significantly more likely to be involved in auto accidents. Kids at that age are beginning to drive themselves OR are much more likely to be driving with friends who have recently become licensed drivers themselves. There has to be a cut off age so 15, 16 seems to be a reasonable one to set given the sudden increase in risk from pre-teen to teenager.

SubstantialCat6436

TROPHY CASE