Warm-seat stealing definitely seems to be a thing. I’ve noticed it most with puppies — you stand up briefly and somehow they’re installed before you get back.
One of mine is the constant shadowing. Stand up, they stand up. Change rooms, instant escort. Sit down again and there’s a very clear sense you’ve interrupted something important.
Cats have their own version. They’ll ignore you completely until the moment you’re settled, then choose the exact spot you need — laptop, book, or lap — and stay there with absolute commitment.
We are missing a trick here! Your brilliant photos should be in a pop up Pet sitting book! So funny and so cute. Sometimes I do give up my seat, even as an old man! Ha ha! Made my week! Thanks so much for keeping it light and hairy!
Up regularly 5.00 or 6.00 am so I go to bed early.. but the dog can jump up and get the bedroom door handle, then the cats follow in.. it starts with dog licks and cat jumps on the bed walking over my legs heavily to settle on my feet.. then the dog feels it necessary to give a warning bark as a cat has clearly transgressed in some unforgivable way. My wake up call!
Same happens in a siesta! Cat napping? No chance!
Their body clocks rule!
Update! Dog gets into my trouser pockets and destroys the plastic bag, treats inside and the tennis ball is also shredded ! So when I come round game is well and truly OVER! but hey I’ve slept so I feel the big winner in this happy animal kingdom! All is forgiven ! Only four more days I say through gritted teeth!
Once fed they all think it’s time for a nap! Yes, right! Dream on!
I slept 11 hours last night! Oops ! Reset for the week! Yes everything back in proportion now! 9 sits booked for this year before my renewal date! Yay!
Pet hate that I didn’t know until my first THS sit: a puppy that was crated in the open plan Lounge kitchen diner from 9pm. It was where the only TV,sofa, etc was located, which if we’d followed that rule meant we were aged 66 at the time being sent to our bedroom then!! The puppy required you to leave the room in the dark and creep away. And no access to drinks etc. It only became apparent in the detail of an updated WG. Eventually we moved the crate to our bedroom and the puppy stayed up late with us….
So a 550 pound bear moved into the crawl space under a house in California for a month. (Talk about a dodgy pet sit! )
So the bear was finally persuaded to leave by someone going down behind it and firing paintballs at it so it would leave by the exit! Then the crawl space was boarded up and electric unwelcome mats were borrowed so the repairs could be carried out.
Owner said, “I’m relieved - no more banging under the house and smelling him and wondering what’s going on under there.” The owner had had to shut off his gas supply as the bear had damaged pipe work.
I have a home in Madrid and one in UK. I travel between for several months at a time.. fully retired. I choose sits in both places. I am also willing to travel further afield.. we’ve done sits in Portugal and Switzerland.
Just back from a long walk with a two year old Labradoodle, Freddy. He’s been fed. Now he decides is the time to attack his bed! He has picked up this destructive habit after a week’s stay in a kennel!
