Howdy all!
I’ve done many sits (10) all in Austin and really enjoy the experiences. I’ve had fabulous times and some that had small red flags but were doable - this one I’m on now is a different level.
I’d love advice on what I should do now that I’m here until the weekend.
what should I include in the review at the end?
The situation
We had a video call two weeks out from the start date and HO told me the photos of the house was the old house. They’ve just moved, now in the same area and style home but not that exact one 
. Shows me around on video and the inside looks like what they describe. So I agree as it’s a good area that I’ve pet sat in a lot and know it well.
Also they have a dog walker who comes every two days, so I don’t have to take the dog out - unusual but I can work with that. 
5 days out the HO texts to say they have a friend visiting town who’ll be staying in the spare room. Asks if I’m okay or if I want to cancel. They’re the same age as me and also female so I say it’s fine - thinking it might even be fun.
Day of the sit the HO shares the welcome guide … the address is in a different neighbourhood . It’s 10mins drive from the other one and south of the river in an area I’ve never been. It’s not walkable at all.
I realise the whole advertised post was for the different house, not just the photos they’d said.
I text the HO acknowledging it in a friendly way and say I’ll need their advice on navigating this unfamiliar area. Especially as I don’t have a car.
The HO tells me it’s ‘technically’ still the nice neighbourhood and they’re happy to give advice.
I arrived 10pm (as agreed with flights) to find:
a bong on the kitchen bench
The friend has been living here for a month. She’s lovely.
The dog poo in the backyard hasn’t been picked up in weeks. Smells so bad. HO told me I can just leave it.
HO still packing and hasn’t made an effort to clean their space. Bedroom isn’t dirty but not clean either
dirty dishes and food dirty over the kitchen. Inside of the fridge is dirty and messy
- I ask about safe areas to walk, explain I have no car and enjoy running. HO says it’s a fine area but then says not to walk the dog because there are stray dogs around (never heard of this in Austin ever before!) and that’s why she has the dog walker pick him up and take him elsewhere.
This morning I ubered to my usual nice area to see friends, on the ride noticing the area I’m in … it’s not the place a women should walk alone. No one out on the street just traffic. The shops I pass are tyre sales, dollar general and liquor/smokes.
met the dog walker (also a lovely person), who says they’ve been in this house for 2 month at least.
Should I do anything or just stick it out? I don’t feel unsafe as I can just uber. But it’s a bit unclean (like I won’t cook in the kitchen) and I’m waiting for what’s the next surprise.
I could maybe leave as the friend is here and the dog has its walker + is low maintenance. I’d be out of pocket but it might ease my worries about potential next red flags.
what should I put in the review? I don’t want to get a bad review in return. If I leave early what does that do for my reviews
Thanks!!
(Post edited by the Forum Team to remove specific sit dates as per the Terms of Service).
. Follow your heart when proceeding, and please keep us updated on how you’re doing and how things are going.
