We just finished a 2 week housesit where I just needed to water the garden and the homeowners emailed an Amazon gift card. I was already feeling like it wasn’t an even exchange because their family took their two dogs with them and I happen to love gardening anyways. I feel so grateful and guilty at the same time.
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Don’t feel guilty. Just because you enjoyed something doesn’t mean others won’t appreciate it and want to show thanks. Of course, gifts are nice, but not expected. I just say thank you.
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I gave her a big thank you
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@IHeartAnimals That’s lovely of the owner. Just think how happy and reassured they felt that their home and garden were in such capable hands and they didn’t have to worry when they went away. That in itself is worth so much having peace of mind - so I think it still sounds like a fair exchange to me.
The added touch of a gift card was just an added bonus and showcased their appreciation. They didn’t have to do it but they did, so go you and your family for doing such a great job 
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Congrats @IHeartAnimals. You can always donate the tip to charity. If it’s not cash, it really doesn’t matter. For example, The Animal Pad (the one that is in the middle of rescuing 400+ dogs from Mexico) has an Amazon wishlist:
I’m sure there are gardening charities, too. 
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Don’t feel guilty. You deserved the gift. Accept it for yourself and move forward. Not everyone will take note and appreciate your help. Remember that.
Don’t give away the small acknowledgments that you get in life when sometimes they are few and far between.
It wasn’t a huge cash gift. It was an Amazon gift card. Treat yourself to something nice. 
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@IHeartAnimals Please dont feel guilty. As a HO we are always sooo grateful for wonderful sitters and most of the time we leave them a gift card as a way of saying Thank You. Great sitters really are a gift to us HOs!
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@IHeartAnimals as everyone in this thread has said don’t feel guilty it was an expression of gratitude and their way of saying “Thank You”
We each do it differently … saying thank you that is. 
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