Dogsitting is a bad idea. It can ruin your life. Don't do it.
My grandma went on a cruise to Alaska and asked me to watch her shitsu, Kuddles, for eleven days. Thinking that this would be a good opportunity for service, I said that I would (also, she told me that the only other person she could think of to ask was a woman in her neighborhood with three cats who can't walk). "How bad can it be," I asked myself. After all, she's roughly the size of a loaf of bread and sleeps in a kennel. No problem.
It turns out that a small dog is ten times more annoying than a small child. Kuddles is constantly underfoot. If I'm on the couch watching tv or sitting at the table or on the toilet and then decide to stand up, I will inevitably step on her, at which point she will bark loudly and look at me like I sold her firstborn to a Korean restaurant. I put her in her kennel when we leave the house, and in five days she has broken the plastic bottom in half and chewed the fluffy lining to shreds. I put her in her kennel at night when I go to bed, and she whines, cries and barks. Ryan and I had three lovely, sleepless nights thanks to that ball of fur. I finally turned a radio on in her room, which seems to make it better. Now I only have to go in and scold her a dozen times before she gets the hint and quiets down for the night.
She wants attention all day long, but not from the person who wants to give her attention. She runs away from Layla, who wants to play with her and rub her belly, and tries to hide under my feet (where she continually gets stepped on). She wants to go outside, but only on a leash for a walk; she has no interest in the backyard.
The problem with Kuddles and I is that I am not affectionate towards animals. Actually, outside of my daughter, I am not affectionate towards humans either. I don't like to pet animals or scratch their bellies, and I absolutely refuse to let them lick me or sniff me so close that their wet noses touch me. It's just gross. Kuddles is used to a lot of love and attention, and she is not getting it here. It's not her fault, that's how she was raised. I'm glad my grandma loves her and has her for companionship, it just wasn't a good idea to have her as a houseguest.
In conclusion, if any of you need pet-sitters, don't ask the Hatches.
3 comments:
Wow- sounds like you're having a rough time... good thing it's only 11 days! Haha. I have to say at one time I contemplated asking you guys to dog sit, but figured that wouldn't be your thing- and besides George is the size of a large watermelon with alot of energy. It's pretty much like having another child. The first couples weeks is the worst! Ah!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one. At least it's over now :) Also, I tried to put that video on my blog and it won't work. I'm so bummed. Have fun this weekend! I wish we were going!
That's hilarious. I can understand not being affectionate to snappy little dogs. But your really should scratch Ryan's belly and let him lick your nose.
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