So my aunt is friends with this elderly couple who needed someone to look after their dogs from Dec 26–28. The husband has terminal brain cancer, and after hearing their situation I was willing to help for pretty much any price.
At first, I thought it would just be feeding and walking the dogs. Instead, I had to give three different sets of eye drops, three times a day (the dogs hated it), plus clean up poop and pee inside the house. We agreed on $20–25 AUD per visit.
I didn’t really mind the work. I knew they were going through a hard time. I fed, walked, cleaned, and medicated the dogs three times a day, and even bought new food out of my own pocket because the food they left was out of date.
On the last day, I was told they’d be staying away another week longer than planned. I even left medication behind for their daughter to pick up because they hadn’t expected to be gone that long. Then I was asked very last minute to continue dog-sitting for another 7 days. It wasn’t convenient at all, and I had to miss a New Year’s event I was really excited for, but I felt bad saying no.
On the final day, I sprayed dog piss off the deck and forgot to turn off the tap fully. It was a trigger spray hose, and apparently it dripped onto a pair of their shoes stored under the tap outside.
When they got back, I received angry messages about the wet shoes and a dried urine mark on the couch that I had missed. That honestly really hurt, because I felt like I’d gone above and beyond for them.
In the end, I was paid $200, even though based on what we agreed on, I should’ve been paid around $500. I understand they’re under a lot of stress, and I don’t want to be a pain, but I can’t help feeling ripped off. I genuinely tried my best.
My brother says I should ask for the rest of the money, but I don’t want to come across like an asshole. (I also have pictures of the exact messages I was sent but I don’t know how to post them on here if anyone can let me know)
AITA for feeling this way
NTA. You need to ask for the rest of the money. Especially since you agreed to watch the dogs for an extra week with no notice.
It also sounds like this couple is not capable of properly caring for the dogs based on what you’ve said here about them going to the bathroom in the house and needing meds multiple times a day. This borderline sounds like an animal neglect case on the owner’s part.
Don’t be worried about sounding like an asshole for standing up for yourself; you were taken advantage of and need to be paid for the work you did for them, regardless of their stress and health issues. If they say no to paying you the rest of the money, I’d let it go, but you still would be in your right to bring it up.
What was their reason for not paying you fully?
You did the job, you get the money. Wet shoes will dry, one mark can be cleaned, it’s not much compared to what you did.
If they did not give any reason, ask them respectfully and intrigued “I’m surprised, you likely made a mistake”.
Yes ask for the money you are owed. Their circumstance doesn’t mean they get to take the piss out of you. However a couple of times in the post you mention feeling bad for saying no, but you need to advocate for yourself. You missed a new years event you wanted to go to. Why? To be underpaid and told you didn’t do a good job? These people aren’t even appreciative of your time or that you sacrificed your own enjoyment for them. Think about that next time you end up in a similar situation. NTA
You are owed that money and they’re taking advantage. NTA
NTA- You would be justified to ask for the money I just personally wouldn’t do it. If it’s a family friend it’s probably a fight I would not want to start.
Obviously it goes without saying I’d make it clear to the aunt what happened and let her know you will never be caring for their pets again.
You did the work and you should be paid.
You should just tell them what you told us on here. They should pay you the rest of the money. They knew damn well how hard it was to take care of the dogs. I wonder if they knew all the time it was going to be all those days. It really sounds planned on their end. I’m thinking they thought you would have said no if you knew you would have missed plans you had.
They are using their situation to con kind hearted people like you into borderline charity service. Let them know the extra week was extremely inconvenient, and you need that money. It’s principle. I can guarantee if the script were reversed those people would be blowing you up for what is owed.
You can ask, but you likely won’t see a cent more than you got. The better solution is to refuse to do more favors and tell as many relatives and friends of your aunt as you can about your experience so no one else gets fooled. I’d also consider dropping a hint to animal control.
Send them an invoice for the remaining money they owe you. Make sure you send a cover note telling them that you went above and beyond what you had agreed to, and that instead of stiffing you, they should have tipped you well.
Make sure they know that you will never help them again, and that you will recommend to your friends that they stay far away from them.
You probably won’t get the money, but at least you will have your say.
NTA
Agreement is agreement. They should honor their part of deal. Even if they think you partially failed last day – it doesnt justify to cut your pay by 60%. Its completely separate matter from their tough situation and brain cancer. They have no right to vent off on you like this.
And no, you will not be asshole. You did what they asked, they should do what they promised.
Could this just be a misunderstanding about the rate? They were away for 10 days and paid you $200 – so $20 per day. It sounds like you thought it was $20 per visit – so 3 visits per day @ $20 each.
The shoe thing not your fault. Who leaves good shoes in that position? Totally forseeable that would happen.
Urine? Really?
They looked for any excuse.
The message should be similar to – i visited 3 x a day for 10 days. The money recieved is not adequate for 30 visits.
Remember that i accomodated your change in plans, so you were able to stay an extra week. Your own family members wouldn’t do this for you.
I can understand that the change in plans could make money short. Perhaps a payment plan would be appropriate, you could call me at xxxxxxx to discuss.
Without further compensation i will not ever be helping you again, and will not be able to give you any decent recommendation either
Modify to suit yourself.
NTA for feeling ripped off, but personally I’d chalk it up to a learning experience.
I would simply text them and say, “I’m sorry about the shoes and the stain on the couch. Given that you were supposed to pay me a VERY reduced and frankly unfair rate for two days and ended up leaving me to look after your dogs for TWO WEEKS with no remuneration, you can take the money that you SHOULD have paid me to buy another pair.
Do not contact me again, you took advantage of my generosity and should be ashamed of yourselves”.
Block their numbers and refuse to talk to or about them ever again.