I’ve been sitting for so long now you would think I would have gotten used to this - but I haven’t. No matter how short or long the sit, I inevitably fall in love with the cats. I always pretend I’m okay when I leave, but I’m really not. I miss the feel of their fur, the sound of their purrs, the little pitter patter of their paws as they come running for their breakfast. There’s always a tiny bit of grief and heartbreak when I drive away.
My cousin suggested I should start writing a good-bye letter to each cat to tuck into their basket when I leave; I’m worried that the HO might find these and think I’m a little bonkers! But I did like the idea of having a ritual for saying “goodbye and good luck” when I depart. Of course I save and treasure pictures of each kitty, but sometimes I find months later that I’m thinking about, and missing, a particular cat.
So I was wondering what other sitters do - what habits or routines do you use to ease the transition? How do you check out of the “Heartbreak Hotel” that is leaving an animal you’ve spent so much time with but may never pet again?
As a photographer, I take tons of photos of the cats, so I can look at those and remember the time together. I always send some to the HO.
So far I’ve really only fallen in love with one cat, whom I got to sit twice, and maybe the 2nd time was the last as he’s in the states and I’m in Canada.
I’m working on the acceptance that “nothing lasts forever” with some big life stuff, so this is just one more of those things. You take the memories with you and they are pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that makes up the picture of your life… and you appreciate the time you had.
Attachment issues this comes out the vocabulary dictionary of me being a a relationship coach.
We just finished a sit with a lovely, strong dog of 13 months. It was a joy! And she wanted lots and lots of attention, which we were happy to give. We played together, made walks and she slept beside our bed. She is always energetic and enthusiastic when she sees other dogs.
The moment came we had to leave. As we spent so much time with the dog, we were a bit curious how she would react and for us it was also an impactful moment.
As the HO had to be longer away due to family circumstances, a dog walker came to pick up the dog.
There was absolutely no sad goodbye from her side! While we were packing the car to leave, the dog happily went to the dog walker with her dog - she knew them - and hopped in her car.
It was quite refreshing and mindful situation: just enjoy the time spent with beloved ones and be happy when they are happy, also with others.
The skill to be able to bond is a great skill to have which I am grateful for that I have learned to develop more in the course of my life.
The happy memories keeps piling up and I will honour the lesser moments as learning moments.
I think the idea of a letter, photos etc is nice. We should remember also that the host love their pet very much, and it can be great that the sitter has a great connection, but it could also be sore. I say this as a friend looked after my dog for a month, and when I returned my dog stayed close to her when I came to pick her up.
So my input would be that apart from a thank you-note - why not make your own memory book? It could be IRL as an actual book, a blog - but it could also be just a word-document or as a power point or :other: for yourself? There you can select photos, write texts, poems, insert drawings. This could be a great way for a petsitting journal, and a lovely memento both of the sits and pets and something for the future to keep memories alive.
Honestly I think leaving a goodbye note for the cat is really weird. I do leave a thank you note for the homeowner’s though, saying how much I’d enjoyed looking after their pets.
this comes out the vocabulary dictionary of me being a a relationship coach.