Just finishing our 2 week sit with these 2 cuties near London before we start our next one tomorrow. The kitty had just come out of a week long hospital stay right before our sit so she took a few days to start getting her energy back.
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Poor kitty, That little dog is so cute!
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One of my cats I’m looking after has had a problem too. Big shaved area and very emaciated compared to the other one of the same age and breed. I have been encouraging him to feed every two hours and there are three pills to be “ force fed “ each day. This was sprung on me last minute as the sit was agreed months ago and no update occurred till a day before the start! I’m learning from a very kind neighbour the technique of getting the jaws open enough to drop the pills in effectively so they don’t spit them out or sick them back up. challenging times! So far no scratches or bites suffered.
( I’m left wondering if the bag of spinach left to be used up was deliberate now!)
Then I’m asked are the kitties bonding with you yet ?
I’m here for a week. Nurse Ratchet comes to mind! Cat wrestling anyone?
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My hubby and I have been exploring Silver City, New Mexico since Sunday. This is our first official TrustedHousesitters pet sitting gig! We’re taking care of a 17-year-old cat in a lovely home located off the beaten path. We’ve been hiking and biking in the Gila National Forest. 
I’d like to add that we came from sea level, 0 feet elevation. We are now at 5,900 feet elevation and I can definitely tell when I’m exercising. 
Luchita is sweet and fairly low maintenance. (Once the diarrhea was gone). Here are some wildlife pics and Luchita. 
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Gotta love a sit with chickens and fresh eggs, my favourite type of sit.
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What a lovely first sit for you @MTBer.
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You poor thing. You are doing such a good job with little notice on the situation. Similar to the one we had with last minute medical issues. The kitties are so pretty!
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This is the 3th time out of 10 sits that I come across an absolutely filthy, disgusting kitchen (pics are the tip of the iceberg) and I’m SO DONE!
Coincedently?? all 3 were newbies on THS lesson learnt
Is this a lack of info when HO’s sign up?
Seriously considering quitting THS
One question: if I don’t leave review can’t they leave a review either?
Thanks
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If you don’t leave a review, they still can.
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They also will not be aware that you did not review until the 14 day deadline has passed. That is unless you tell them your intention.
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They can leave a review and if you don’t theirs will be published 14 days from the end of the sit.
Please consider doing your review to inform future sitters.
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I’m trying to figure out why you are considering not leaving a review. You are aware that reviews are blind, aren’t you?
You say
If you’re fed up with dirty homes and think that HOs are not getting relevant information in that regard, writing a factual, non emotional review is the best way to give that information to other sitters and HOs. It will help everyone make better matches in the future, including yourself because HOs who read your review will be aware that cleanliness is important for you.
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Write the review, keep it factual, if it’s so bad it’s driving you to leave THS what have you got to lose. Don’t rush it though and don’t be emotional.
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One of my cats I’m looking after has had a problem too. Big shaved area and very emaciated compared to the other one of the same age and breed. I have been encouraging him to feed every two hours and there are three pills to be “ force fed “ each day. This was sprung on me last minute as the sit was agreed months ago and no update occurred till a day before the start! I’m learning from a very kind neighbour the technique of getting the jaws open enough to drop the pills in effectively so they don’t spit them out or sick them back up. challenging times! So far no scratches or bites suffered.
( I’m left wondering if the bag of spinach left to be used up was deliberate now!)
Then I’m asked are the kitties bonding with you yet ?
I’m here for a week. Nurse Ratchet comes to mind! Cat wrestling anyone?
What’s new puddy cat?
Finally forgiven for the nursing job!
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Yes I’m aware the reviews are blind although they can still comment on my review afterwards
The thing is that they are incredibly nice people and I don’t want to make things awkward especially since it’s their first time
I’ve mentioned in my profile after the other 2 sits that a clean environment is important to me (and trust me I’m no perfect housewife)
It’s just that EVERYTHING is extremely filthy even though it’s a nice house and a great garden
Maybe that’s why it’s so disappointing
We met before the sit and I just didn’t see this comming
If you met before the sit, didn’t you get a chance to tour the home? When you say you didn’t see it coming, was it because you thought they were nice? Nice people can be pigs, too.
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I don’t think it’s fair on hosts who do a thorough deep clean before sitters arrive to have the same cleanliness rating as a host who has left the home “ extremely filthy”
It’s a requirement that hosts clean the home .
The member code of conduct states:
Your intention may be to be kind by not leaving a review of this sit ; however, a sitter has the right to not start / leave a sit if they arrive and find home is “extremely filthy.” By not providing a warning, a future sitter might accept the sit unaware of the conditions and then feel forced to leave the sit early , which could create a difficult situation for the hosts.
It’s better to be honest and stick to the facts rather than not review at all—this gives the hosts a chance to address any issues before the next sitter. Even if they don’t, it helps future sitters by forewarning them so that they can make an informed decision before applying for the sit.
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You’re absolutely right of course
It’s just very difficult for me to leave the place behind the way it is
Risking a bad review myself because this time I have absolutely no intention of cleaning this huge house, where literally EVERYTHING is gross, in the spotless way I normally leave a sit and like I’ve done with the other 2 dirty sits just to make a point
A lot of HO’s state ‘leave it as you found it’ which is exactly what I plan on doing but it goes against everything I stand for
How do I leave out the emotions like others have suggested whilst I’m this angry, frustrated & disappointed 
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Apparently youre right
They invited me to have coffee in the city halfway from where I was doing another sit
Maybe that should’ve been a warning sign but I never even considered that
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