I can understand the stress and disappointment you experience. To be fair, it seems the sitter is also making a stretch to make it work. Although I agree that most sitters wouldn’t end sit like this, it is also sitters that give notice (or not…) and just leave. So I’ll give her credit for trying and finding ways to hang in there a little longer.
It seems member services might have been able to help a little navigating this, which is encouraging.
I’m not trying to make excuses for her, but I believe seeing also this perspective might make it more tolerable and less stressful also for the host.
I would be very concerned about her taking your dog to stay overnight elsewhere @fairybekk as this clearly violates the Terms of Service. Should anything happen to your much-loved dog whilst away overnight, you and the sitter would have little support from THS unless you have something in writing from them in the communication already received.
What an unbelievably stressful situation. As a HO, we once had a sitter bail on the first day of the sit. I learned a lot from that experience. One important lesson though was that it was better she bailed early.
As hard as it is, I would work fast to get this person out of your house and away from your dog quickly. Find a new, happy sitter who will allow you to relax and enjoy your time away. Making concessions to this person isn’t helping you or your adorable little dog. There is a wonderful sitter or couple who will be a better fit.
Oh my, I’m so saddened when I read of this happening to a pet owner. Even more so, as you had this sitter to your home overnight, to get her familiar with your location and the dog’s routine. You have to wonder what attracted the sitter to your posting initially, and why she thinks it’s appropriate to change her mind due to loneliness, when the circumstances are exactly as you posted, when she agreed to the sit. This may not be a popular opinion, but I believe that there is a certain level of maturity associated with and necessary for, taking on long term pet sitting responsibilities, that may be lacking in some instances. Hope you get it all sorted out with another sitter, and can continue your time away with some peace of mind.
@fairybekk
I agree with other posters- get the sit officially ended asap and re-list for a new sitter. The quicker this sad chapter is closed the better so that you can relax & enjoy the rest of your trip.
I have to be honest and say I feel the sitter is lacking a certain maturity as @Joanne says. A 3 month sit is a big commitment, especially solo and in a rural setting and the sitter should probably have thought it all through much more carefully. I wonder if she is quite young? Or if she has ever lived alone? And I wonder why she actually chose a long rural sit? To want to bail out after only a week suggests she acted spontaneously, reassured you (and herself) that she could manage it, but did not really weigh up the pros and cons properly, and the reality turned out different.
I’m sure you are already learning a lot from this experience! I would definitely suggest you go for couples in future-preferably more experienced sitters who also have experience of longer, more rural sits. it seems this would be a better fit for your setting.
I hope you get a good solution sorted very quickly and I wish you alll the best!
You are still not showing a sitter needed. I believe you should contact THS her to get this corrected. As an outside party, I hope you can take some comfort that she has abandoned the sit, but not seemingly your dog. If it were me, as a temporary measure, I would rather she had 1 friend stay with her, rather than leaving with your fur baby. I’m sure your sit is the answer to someone else’s prayer. Best of luck.
Oh man, a nice house in the woods with no human noise sounds absolutely wonderful to me.
I think you’ve made the conditions pretty clear, and better to state the challenges (long driveway, snow, fire season) than not. I’d just suggest mentioning, unless I missed it?, how far away the town actually is. I think I’ve seen listings with more photos; maybe add an exterior shot of the house (OK, I’m just curious and wanna see it ) and the driveway, and maybe a view of the town’s main street? Let people know a little more about the surroundings. Also I’d clarify the doggie “patrols”… do you just let her out, or do you want the sitter to go walk with her?
I might also reword the “coming back repeatedly” part. At least for now; you may miss out on a great one-time sitter. Maybe a little less emphasis and something like “Ideally I’d love to find someone who could do repeat sits” and leave it at that. …Just, anything you can to do make the sit conditions and locations as clear as possible to attract the right match.
Agree with the people who said the sitter sounds rather young and maybe a bit immature… going to a coffee shop for “a few hours a day”, what the heck; and mom’s house “several nights a week”?? So she’s basically only at your house half the time? …Although maybe some new adventures will end up increasing Eliza’s confidence?
I hope you can get someone to come in and finish the sit. Too bad I’m in Canada
Good luck!
@fairybekk, circling back as see that you’ve now added listing.
We’re optimistic that you’ll find a great housesitter for your dog. Lovely home in a super location. Suggest reflect on profile of ideal sitter - perhaps US couple?
Couple vs solo may be better given three month duration. But subjective.
US housesitters more amenable to US sits these days (some international housesitters are currently not seeking US sits).
In early 2024, we completed a series of US housesits (including several in California) over a 4-5 month period. Super enjoyable.
Kudos on honesty in listing re dog “very, very attached to me”. Separation anxiety is a red flag to some housesitters, but others have no issue … so your open honesty should hopefully find a great fit.
This is a bit off topic but I’m curious. HOs when you list a sit that is over the course of several months do you seek out sitters that have previously completed pet sits over the course of several months? For example, when reviewing sitters profile reviews do you also look at the length of the corresponding sits? I ask because some sitters (myself including) start to get antsy after being in one place for too long and ready to move on to the next destination. This is why I don’t apply for long sits. Your sitter should have seriously considered if she was capable of completing a long sit before applying/confirming. Her behavior is unacceptable especially transporting your pup away from home. I hope you find another sitter and will be able to enjoy your holiday.
I usually sit only for one or two weeks at a time, since I want to go home to my dog and husband, who’s a homebody. But hosts have offered me monthslong sits, unsolicited. That’s been on THS and Nomador, when I was a member there. They’ve included a waterfront sit in Hawaii (professor going on sabbatical) and a sit in France (hosts who were taking a long RV trip), for example. I always decline, because I don’t do long sits.
Our home is quite similar to yours, but in the French Pyrenees. You should include a photo of the exterior of the house in its environment because you currently show no actual views of the mountains. How many minutes does it take to drive to town? What do the hiking trails look like? You need to let potential sitters visualise themselves there. If you’re a writer, call it an idyllic writer’s retreat rather than emphasising the magicalness of the house itself.
We have only had sitters for 3 to 6 weeks. We do not give much weight to the prior sit lengths of applicants figuring that they’re self selecting for the longer sits. Then again, we usually advertise a sit at least 6 months before traveling and there have been some odd “applications” where a sitter applies with enthusiasm and then withdraws their application a few days later. Don’t really know what’s going on there but it happens regularly.
If we get to the video/audio call, we always ask why they are interested in our longer stay. We find their answer more useful than how long they’ve sat for other homeowners and we go from there.
Wish I were retired!! What a stunning home with amazing views and Eliza to boot! Hope you’re able to find another sitter ASAP. Sorry you are going through this stressful situation.
Would you consider opening the listing up to families with older children? Someone like our family would not see this listing. Your listing will be difficult for folks to fly into the nearest airport as rental cars for three months will be pricey. Could you possibly offer your car and maybe have a friend pick the new sitter up from the airport?
First off, I totally understand your panic — being that far away and hearing that your sitter might bail early is incredibly stressful, especially when your dog thrives on routine and familiarity. You’re absolutely right to feel concerned, especially if your pup was already taken to another home without your knowledge or consent. That alone would be unsettling for any pet parent.
It does sound like a personality mismatch more than anything else. Some sitters love solitude and the quiet of the countryside — others realize only after arriving that it’s not for them. That said, your priority is of course your dog’s well-being and keeping things as stable as possible from a distance.
A few things that might help:
Communicate honestly and clearly with your current sitter. Let them know you’re actively looking for a backup plan and that you need time to transition someone new in, not a sudden exit. If they can stay until someone else arrives, even just another week or two, that would buy you time and reduce stress for everyone — especially your dog.
Contact TrustedHousesitters directly. Explain the situation — that your confirmed sitter may leave early — and ask them to help you override the date block so you can reach out to other sitters. Their support team can usually unlock your listing or suggest alternatives.
In the meantime, start lining up a possible temporary new sitter by reaching out to neighbors or friends your area. You might find someone who’s already nearby and available, even if just to bridge the gap.
You’re not alone in this — unfortunately, these things happen, and the key is being proactive, which you’re already doing. I know it’s hard when you’re so far away, but trust that there is a solution and that a better-fitting sitter is out there.
Sending you strength — and hoping this gets resolved quickly for you and your pup.
) and the driveway, and maybe a view of the town’s main street? Let people know a little more about the surroundings. Also I’d clarify the doggie “patrols”… do you just let her out, or do you want the sitter to go walk with her?