Petsitters

[Denise]

Awhile back I posted I found the perfect horse sitter and you all recommended going away for a day and coming back early. I did just that, left Monday morning and woke up Tuesday with a feeling to go home so I did just that, tee'ed off the hubby but away I went to come home to find a big mess! We have a partition over a fence so the stallions cant see each other, well that was down and they were going at it, the measured feed bags that I had set out were all used up this morning (was suppose to last till tomorrow night) who got what is up to me. Barn door was left open so the horses could have gone in and eaten 50 pounds of feed but she was so stupid she locked them out on the front pasture with no water! I was furious that the horses could have been on grass for 9 hours with no water! I let her have it. Looks like I will never leave my horses in anybodys hands again. It could have been alot worse, thank God for that gut feeling.

 

[liltnt]

No no no, dont do that. I for the last two years have been taking care of my landladies horse and two burros. Not everyone feels or acts that way. I would love to have a horse sitting job for minis. Or working at a farm so I can learn more.

I have to tell you, I know more about her animals than she does. I know when they are to get their hoofs trimmed, when they are to get their shots and when something is wrong when there isnt any real sign.

You can see it in their eyes and how they hold their heads.

I am the one who sits here and waits for the vet and ferrier, and gets the kids ready and holds them. And witht he horse that can be scarey at the lowest spot on his back he is still over my head. and I am 5'4. But he is so good, when I pyut on his fly mask I jsut tell him I need your head, and he lowers it and I can reach to put it on him. Bless his heart

Oh and I live on the property pay rent for my little apartment and DONT get paid to take care of the horses

 

[Marty]

I've got one of those gut instincts too and I can smell a rat a mile away.

That's why, I never had a baby sitter for my kids, other than my mom. I drug them both to work with me every day. One on my back in a pack, and the other one on my stomach in a pack. Now I have no back and let's not discuss my stomach either.

That's also why the family gets a little modest vacation every year and leaves me home alone to tend things. I can't trust anyone. I"ve been burned too many times and I just can't chance it anymore so here I sit.

You have great instincts and I am sure glad you acted on them. People may laugh and not believe you when you just "have that feeling" but you proved you were right on.

Thank goodness that the animals were alright in the end. I'm really sorry you had to be put through this.

There are good people out there that can be trusted like liltnt says, but so far, no one around here for me.

 

[Miniv]

Please don't judge EVERY farm sitter by your bad experience. They aren't ALL like that.

But I'm glad you listened to your gut instinct, nonetheless.

We've had a couple of wonderful farm sitters that knew every one of our animals by name, age, rank and serial number....etc.

And we've had several horrid ones as well and we also listened to our "gut instincts" and got home early.

Wish I could tell you how to tell them apart!

MA

 

[JO~*]

I have been a pet sitter for a few people for years now. I do a really good job if I say so myself.

I always do more than is asked of me. BUT I don’t trust anyone to care for my pets if I want to go out of town. Makes my husband nuts. On the rare occasions that I do have to go for a couple of days I leave a note 10 pages long and have my Mom stay over., plus ask my neighbor to check in after work and ask the other neighbor to keep an eye out.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I had two unexpected foals one year, the only time in forty five years that has ever happened, due to "Little Miss Know It All" who seemed to think looking after Minis was Sooo easy!!!

However I persevered.

The woman who does it for me now does a great job and does what I ask her to. She also comes down five or six times if there are any mares in foal- her instincts were right three years ago when a mare foal six weeks early.

She had had no instructions about this as it wasn't going to happen!!!!

She still brought the mare in and watched the mare and foal for tow hours to make sure the foal was nursing, looked for the afterbirth and fed and watered the foal, putting the bucket up out of the foals reach.

She had had three kids, she just followed her instincts.

She had common sense- everything was fine.

She was so sure everything was fine she did not phone me ( I was on my way back by then anyway)

And everything was fine!!!

I am very lucky. When you find a good "sitter" you hang on to them.

 

[mountain_waif]

....

 

[Denise]

I sure wish I could find one of those "great" sitters. This is the second one I have tried, first one came up with all theses excuses why she couldnt come to watch me feed and then the cat was sick, blah blah blah. Told her forget it that this wasnt going to work then she starts emailing me wierd stuff and chain letter junk-finally had to block her. To be honest though I will never try another sitter, the whole time I would be away I'd be in a panick as to what was happening back home. It's just easier to stay home and keep the routine going for them.

 

[jdomep]

That absolutely stinks! I am glad your "gut instinct" told you to get home! I feel very blessed that I have a dear friend who takes care of my guys when we go away and I take care of hers. It works out great but if for some reason we both are gone (happened 1 weekend) we have another friend who we trust to do it

 

[Valerie]

Wow, I am sorry to hear about your bad experience, we had a similar bad experience last year,.....it's very sad, because I know that I used to house sit & animal sit for all the neighbors & I even babysat......probably has something to do with the fact there were 7 kids in our family, so pitching in & helping out was a natural part of life....but I enjoyed house & pet sitting.....(the babysiting is a whole other story..haha).

Now to find someone I truly trust to take care of "MY babies" ...it's very hard.

We have a great friend who has horses & she is going to feed for us 1 time on Thanksgiving (eve) & then the next morn......all so we can go down to Oregon for 1 night.....but I planned it accordingly, we will feed before we leave & we will be back on Friday in time to do the eve feed.......

I will only allow someone who has "experience" with horses to actually feed or house sit for us in the future. We lucked out because I know this person takes tremendous care of her animals, but I also didn't want to burden her either, as it is a holiday. I am still hoping to find a responsible person to house/animal sit for us in the future, but I sure am going to be very, very picky.