I totally get it as am another avid runner & sitter 
. I’ve tried to do sits that fall during a race but it doesn’t work for me. I now only apply for sits that end a few days before or right after an event.
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Thank you! This is good feedback to have.
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Thank you! I’ve been thinking about this as well, last minute sits might actually end up working out for me. I will keep watching.
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I see nomador has an option for pet parents to host a sitter overnight, or you might try couchsitting. Best of luck
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I have friends who are marathon runners. They have a semi-professional attitude. That is, if they want to run a particular marathon badly enough, they assume they will have to pay for accommodation in the area. THS isn’t a free Air BnB, however hard the new management is working to make it seem that way.
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As I’m new to THS, I don’t have the context for how things were handled in the past compared with the present. However, I’m fully aware that THS is not a free Airbnb.
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It wouldn’t be your fault even if you did. The THS marketing had messages like “Stay in an Airbnb for free with your furry friends” & “Travel for free around the world staying in amazing homes.” And other less useful straplines so the balance of expectation has shifted. #youvegotthis
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Absolutely. this reminds me of the wise adage, The Tail Should Not Wag The Dog.
SITTERS should work around needs of the pet, not vice versa
(Edited in line with the Community Rules)
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Agree 100%!
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As a new THS member, I don’t yet have the full picture and I don’t pretend to. I genuinely appreciate those who have shared their experience, answered my questions kindly, and helped me understand how things work without making me and other new members feel foolish.
I want to be clear: nothing I have said was intended to be laughable, nor have I attempted to call the shots. My goal is a mutually beneficial relationship where both sides, sitters and owners, can get what they need without compromising the well-being of pets.
I couldn’t help but pick up some frustration toward the current THS management from long-standing members. I would respectfully ask that criticism be directed toward management policies rather than toward new members.
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It isn’t actually about frustration with management policies. It’s just that your OP came across as primarily expressing annoyance because you couldn’t find a sit which fitted in exactly with your schedule. And that really isn’t how THS works…
If it’s that vital that you find accommodation for specific dates in a specific area - and presumably you knew some while back that you wanted to be involved in this event - then you may just have to suck it up and book somewhere to stay using an old-fashioned financial transaction.
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You wanted to stay overnight. I can see how a PP would feel uncomfortable having you and your daughter at their house when they first return and want privacy in their own house. I wouldn’t want the sitters there as well. . If they decided to come back two days early you would still need to leave the property and couldn’t stay the extra two days. I don’t understand not going to this event that you want to attend because you would need a hotel room for one night. Look at all the other nights you received with no cost involved. Most of the sits you will see will probably have extra days or too few days and will not match your criteria exactly.
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