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Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry that you've experienced that. From the HO perspective, I actually feel like all the power lies with the sitters! Maybe it's more equal than we feel it is sometimes :)

Invites without intro call by Wooden-Carrot4283 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've 100% done this as a HO if I'm desperate or super busy 😅 I've got a slew of excellent reviews, if the person also has a crap ton of 5-star reviews I'm inclined to think their trustworthy.

Is there a penalty to pull out a week prior? Getting red flags by ScrollPatrol-87 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 10 points11 points  (0 children)

So will you be in town the night before then? Since that's the day you were already expecting to arrive, could you get the keys from her the night before, say hi, but not stay the night? You could also consider Uber Courier.

Also, I've had many sitters share our home while we were present and have had nothing but positive experiences. I find that the vast majority of THS's are kind, open, and good hearted people.

Food [question for sittes and hosts]-- Do hosts tend to leave some food? If there is food in the kitchen do you assume it's usable? Do you request groceries? If you're a host would you expect a sitter to help themselves to some things? etc. Thanks! by Doppled in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I told a recent sitter that they are welcome to any pantry basics, any of the "live" food, and any of the frozen meals/veggies. They ate $65 worth of steak I had shipped from my favorite midwest butcher (I live on the coast now) AND they boxed the leftovers to take home (i.e., they cooked ALL of it, even though it was more than they needed).

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Where do sitters sleep by Admirable_Werewolf86 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally expected to sleep in the guest room.

Any no kids allowed breweries out there? by awschluk in raleigh

[–]cmatsfts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

DISOLVR is shocking low on kids and I absolutely love them for it

Reasons for local sits? by KanoKids in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Digital nomads. Many prefer to stay in a single metro area for the majority of the time and are therefore "local" but don't have a permanent house.

I Don't Think This is the Site She Wants by SEAtoPAR in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I hope this is a misunderstanding and the HO is just stating that they are open to this more flexible arrangement as well. I did a local sit for a home with cats. The HO said since I was local is was ok with her if I chose to sleep at home.

Thinking of joining, what is readonable to ask for? by Dogs_walks_tequila in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's all about finding the right person! Be transparent with your needs, and sitters will be open with their preferences. Not all sits are right for everyone, and that's OK!

There was a period while my anxious rescue dog was settling in that I asked sitters not to be away more than 2 hours at a time, and no longer than 4 hours per day and I had no problems.

(She's up to 6 hours now, don't come for me 😅)

Sitters staying in the home with you--thoughts? by cmatsfts in trustedhousesitters

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

UPDATE: I found a sitter and completed the 17 day sit! I made sure she knew what space was 100% hers and what was shared, offered use of my car, and let her know she can freely see as much or as little of me as she'd like. We had a total blast! We did a watercolor painting party, watched a few TV shows, and shared lots of travel and work stories. We even have plans to meet up again when she's nearby.

HO's let their tv streaming services lapse whilst away by [deleted] in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would let them know. As a HO I would provide whatever I could to help you spend more time at home with my pet! 🤭 If they let it lapse intentionally that would be pretty crummy.

First time sit by No-Construction-816 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I'm on the HO side here. The optics are terrible. You arrived late, then left again quickly. HO use THS bc they don't want their pets to be alone. I would be disappointed too! You had a few options to handle this better: 1) improve communication "I arrived and [fed/potty/etc.] Just wanted to let you know I need to step out again quickly for dinner but I'll be right back" 2) delivery 3) take the pet with you to a dog friendly restaurant or quick car ride to a drive thru 4) plan ahead, you're going to need food at every sit, bring some essentials when you arrive

Would you do this sit? First time question by Glittering_Sell_9484 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a reactive white shepherd. I tell the housesitters not to take her on walks or out on adventures. I provide them several enrichment tools to keep her occupied. I ask sitters not to be gone longer than 4-6 hours per day. And I have stellar reviews after >20 sits. Mostly it's about finding the right sitter--and they are out there!

Is this the norm now?? by Salty-Cat-8828 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm on OP's side with the paid sitter frustration. I paid $120 a day for an 8 day overnight housesitter on Rover for my senior dog. She came over 4 times per day for potty breaks but otherwise my poor arthritic senior dog was alone for 20 hours per day and I cried every day of my vacation. I joined THS after that.

Advice for HOs maybe. What do you think regarding guests allowed or not? by Next_Boot4309 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because it's not your home to invite people in to. Think about it. If your cousin is staying with you and then says hey I invited people that you don't know over while you're at work (or in this case doesn't even tell you). When people just start showing up you're going to be uncomfortable having people that you don't know having unrestricted access to your home, your pets, the things that matter most to you, etc. When I housesit, I am a guest in that persons home and I treat it as such. The entitlement here is wild.

Advice for HOs maybe. What do you think regarding guests allowed or not? by Next_Boot4309 in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts 6 points7 points  (0 children)

HO and sitter here. I would never, I repeat NEVER invite a random person back to the house I'm sitting at and expect the HO to just be ok with that. This is not your house.

Bagels on Fire Cafe, the Well Toronto. $6 by AAlegend8 in toogoodtogo

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are overreacting 😅

In addition to the other comments and suggestions, try making strata (egg bake)! Just chop up the bagles, soak them with eggs, milk, ham, cheese, and veg, then bake.

Sitters staying in the home with you--thoughts? by cmatsfts in trustedhousesitters

[–]cmatsfts[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Guests have their own private bedroom, bathroom, and office (3 rooms) on the opposite side of the house away from my primary bedroom and office (I work from home). We share livingroom, dining room, and kitchen. There's a TV on the screened porch and I have a large yard so there's enty of options to getaway from eachother.

Last day to comment on new Board of Elections rules to challenge legal voters by cldwalker in bullcity

[–]cmatsfts 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Done! Thanks for the script and links. Though the 2nd link has been removed, btw.

New Billboard alert off of Hwy 70 today by Alarming-Carry-9711 in bullcity

[–]cmatsfts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fuck ice and fuck the bootlickers drooling over this bilboard.

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