This photo was taken at repeat sit number 4 with this guy and his 3 much smaller fur siblings. I was contacted by his pet parents a couple of days ago to let us know that he very sadly passed away from heart issues at 7 years old.
Pluto and his fur siblings were our first USA housesit when I moved to the USA and was also the first large breed dog that my husband had cared for and we both simply adored him.
There were tears of sadness that we would never again get to see him doing his boxer ‘kidney bean’ wiggle. But also happy that the owners wanted to share this with us and that we got to be part of his journey in this world even for only a little while.
Just one of many wonderful pets that we have gotten emotionally attached to when housesitting
@Carla I am so sorry to hear this very sad news, and especially sad that he was still so young. You will have so many wonderful memories with Pluto though to cherish. X
This happens to me all the time but I travel to a lot of places where there are street dogs and cats without homes. All these pets are so lucky to have nice homes with people who care enough about them to get sitters. The pets on this site have to be the 1% of privileged pets! Knowing this should make you very happy. It is much worse when you develop a bond with a street dog/cat that you can not take with you . But I think about many of the pets I have cared for even years after. And I know a lot of them miss and love me. One dog howled non-stop when I left. It was so sad!!!
Absolutely! The critters I’ve sat have all stolen a bit of my heart. The hardest thing is, thinking in various cases that you might never get to see them again. I never thought I could get attached so quickly.
One cat jumped on the windscreen of my car when I tried to leave, like saying “don’t go”!
That sit was one of the most upsetting to leave.
So far I have loved every pet I looked after and it’s always hard to go. It’s a bit easier when sits are not too far away and there is a big chance I will see them again…
I shall always remember a member’s reply to a “sincere condolences” message after her dog, who had welcomed 17 sitters into his home, had passed away …
“Thank you TrustedHousesitters for your kind message, not only were you there for him during is life but you were there in his passing and I will always be eternally grateful for the love”
As true animal lovers which is the motivation and why we choose to care for the pet members in our community it’s inevitable that we will feel sadness at any loss and sadness at saying goodbye as they each make a place in our hearts and memories, some more than others. The joy they bring is often immeasurable and the human connections they create just by being may even develop into lifelong friendships, I know they have for me.
and just occasionally you get a pretty smart one, like Barclay who even goes purchases a Mother’s Day Card and puts it in the mail
I’m the opposite of a lot of folks on here, it has gotten harder the longer I do it. I think mainly because I’ve met so many great animals but they aren’t my animals and I’ve stayed in lots of nice places, but they aren’t my place.
Basically, I recognise that I’m ready to settle down and nest for a while, although I think once I have a flat abd pet of my own, I’ll be more likely to get back out there knowing that I have a furry friend waiting for me when I return!
I’ll also add that it isn’t every animal that breaks my heart, but there are ones you connect with and never forget. It can be hard, but I try to remember the time I had with them.
We had that too once! The parents returned - after only a weekend away- and we had a chat before leaving but it was MY lap one of the dogs sat on till we left! The owner was touched & even mentioned it our review!
I’ve just completed my second sit and although it was still sad to leave I definitely handled it better than the first sit which led to this post, so thank you everyone for your comments. I didn’t cry and just saw it as not goodbye, but see you soon!
It also made me realise what many have said on this thread, the emotion just means we are good sitters and love the animals we sit and care for <3
HI @woowoo thank you for this update on your progress in managing your emotions on leaving pets, which we each struggle with at times … your quote was worth a re share.
I’ve already had a fur baby pass. When I was told I was devastated. She wasn’t mine but I loved her all the same and have been back to care for her sister.
I just left a month-long sit and, OMG, it was difficult to leave (another repeat) but I hope to see her again. I’ve about 5 PO in rotation so I’m grateful for that but it’s still hard. Excited I get to see a few repeats coming up this summer. It’s also nice knowing I get to help folks out not quite like fostering, but close to it.
