To date I’ve done maybe 1/4 of the sits I’ve been offered after applying and being ‘chosen’ well the ‘let’s chat via video stage’ then offered the sit ….. at this point in life being retired we can afford to be very selective in what we’re willing to do in terms of an exchange. It has to be perfect (or seem to be!) for me to commit us to a sit….we’ve done x6 sits in 12 mths. We had x3 other confirmed UK sits close together last summer but I cancelled early with 3 mths notice due to an unplanned major surgery where I didn’t know if I’d be fully recovered for active dogs. They all found sitters because they were great HOs. I’ve also cancelled a Xmas sit with 7 mths notice due to undisclosed information that was revealed during a sit…the HOs accepted my reasons and have made other non THS arrangements. So I’m now reflecting on our THS experience, which I’d say is pretty good now that we’ve learnt the ropes from a sitter perspective. We’d been HOs who’d experienced 20 years of sitters (not on THS) due to having horses… but it’s very different doing it from the other side. We’ve learnt a lot from this Forum too so thank you very much. My next few sits will be me on my own without hubby (it’s golf competition season)- so I think I’ll focus more on a few cat sits.
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Glad you’ve enjoyed your sits @BonnyinBrighton. We must meet up at some stage.
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I hear you @BonnyinBrighton. It pays to be very selective when you have the choice. I live in a really nice location, so I choose to look for/accept sits that are better than my everyday experience. Good on you!
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Makes sense.
To me, those of us who live in nice homes and locations and can afford backup plans and nonsit travel have the best chances of having great sits, because we can be the most selective. We also can cancel or quit, rather than being trapped or stranded by hosts who make sitting terrible and unfair exchanges, especially those who withhold key info or mislead.
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