I’m starting a sit tomorrow (it’s the second time for me at this place), and the lovely owner just sent me this, to say she’d been shopping for me:
There are also several bottles of wine / beer too!
It’s only a 6-day sit! What wonderful hosts!
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It’s a good feeling when a HO does something like this or somehow expresses that, while you are there pet sitting they also want you to have an enjoyable stay.
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Lovely!
Always appreciate great hosts.
My most recent ones offered groceries, chocolates and a gift card. Great en suite guest quarters with loads of room in the closet, plus toiletries. Comfortable bed with nice linens. Said the cleaner would be around. Beautiful home close to everything. Treated me to dinner before leaving. Shared loads of sightseeing info.
Their two cats were sweethearts, easy to love and take care of.
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I’m already planning mozzarella-portobellos and veggie/tofu fried rice 
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I have had several similar, very generous hosts. It really does make you feel appreciated doesn’t it. 
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Such beautiful healthy foods and no junk food. Bon Appetit!
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Yes. Likewise. Definitely appreciate such hosts.
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Sweet! Love feeling appreciated.
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Oh my goodness. Talk about a warm welcome!
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How lovely! I hope you like peppers!
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Can you send me the name of your pet owners please? The first sit I ever did I was really spoiled – dinner the night before, a bottle of red and white were left. It is nice to be appreciated. The cat has since died sadly but I am still friends with the pet owners and we meet up occasionally.
Attach a picture of another welcome pack from last summer!
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I wanted to give a shout out to some HOs who showed their lovely caring side at the end of this past week’s sit. We always exchange WhatsApp messages to ensure everyone makes it home. My train was significantly delayed and they were concerned about me getting home safely once the train reached my city as the buses there do not run past midnight. They transferred $50 to my account for a taxi which I protested was far too much to which they replied ‘have some wine, get some snacks’.
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So lovely and gracious!
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There is something about unspoken generosity that is the heart of house and pet sitting. There is an immense amount of trust on both sides. Small gestures if kindness speak volumes.
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Over 20 sits, I’ve had mostly very nice HOs but none have ever bought me any groceries! I have had a few give me a bottle of wine or a candy bar. But Most don’t even invite me to eat perishables in their fridge until I ask about them and then they’ll tell me to use them up.
I don’t mind buying my own groceries but wondering how common it is for HOs to do so??
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Most of my hosts have told me to help myself to what’s in their fridge and pantry. Some have gifted treats, bottles of wine and/or offered gift cards. Most have treated me to a meal when we overlapped. Other than that meal, I rarely eat their food, because I prefer to choose and buy my own. Even when they ask what groceries I’d like, I thank them and decline. And that’s my experience across 26 sits.
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You left a very good first impression.. bravo on the second sit! Might I ask the country/area? I find the people in France are very appreciative of their House sitters. One pet owner wanted to know what I liked from the baker to the butcher, including. wine so she could purchase before my arrival.
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This is in the countryside in the south west of England. On my first sit (in May) they also left me with a stack of lovely food - include home-made merengues!
(Like you, I’ve found French hosts to be very welcoming too)
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I’ve just started a new sit and have had drinks, snacks with instructions to use up the perishables in the fridge. Flowers too and an excellent welcome guide. So kind and generous!
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It might help to proactively communicate to the owners that you will try to use up perishables while you are there, so “please don’t feel that you have to throw away perfectly good produce, dairy, eggs, etc.”
I do this about a week before the sit begins. Owners are generally grateful, since they are instructed by THS to throw away all perishables before the sitter arrives.
This might help to open up more dialogue when you arrive to the home.
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