When we went away camping for a few days last week, I asked our neighbor's son, and my son's friend, to take care of our dog and cat while we were away. He's only 8 but he loves our pets, and I knew his parents would be supervising him...or at least I thought so. I walked him thru everything, left a note, told him we'd be back Saturday night, and all he basically had to do was to feed the critters in the morning, let them out back in the fenced-in yard for most of the day unless it got too hot in the afternoon, make sure they had fresh water, play with the dog whenever he wanted to, then bring them in at night. Not too difficult right?

Well, we got home about 7:30 Saturday night and Tobi (dog) was inside the house. She was dying to get outside and peed for a solid two or three minutes. She should have still been out in the back yard. In the next hour she peed about 3 more times, pooped twice, and Sunday morning she pooped 3 more times right in a row until it was just diarrhea. The only other time she'd done that was a several years ago Bill and I both had to work much later than expected and had left her inside the house because it was so cold and so much snow outside. She got sick trying to hold it and eventually exploded all over the house.

OK, so Sunday about 11:00 a.m. the boys and I were gone, but Bill was still home upstairs and he heard a bunch of fumbling and yelling and the front door opening up. He hears the dad from next door yelling at his son "Hurry up! Tobi's got to go out! Now!" Bill comes downstairs and surprised them. (I'm not sure why since I'd told them verbally and in the note when we'd be back.:rolleyes: )

Geez, Tobi had to go potty so bad when we got home the night before, and they didn't show up 'til 11 the next morning?:grrr: If we hadn't gotten home then, what would our poor dog be like by that time?:( Tobi's been thru some rough times this year (see an earlier post for those details) and I didn't think this would be too difficult for them to handle taking care of her for two and a half days.

Fortunately, they gave Bill the house key back so I don't have to go ask for it. If he's expecting to be paid for this stint, he's sadly mistaken. I'm kind of wondering 'tho how much was the kid's fault and how much I should blame the parents. They weren't home Saturday night when we got home, but who knows how long they'd been gone. I'm not 100% sure she got fed that morning either. I know the kid's kind of at the mercy of his parents' schedule, but I'd OK'ed it with his mom and she said it was no problem. The kid himself is a bit of a royal pain in the butt, but he means well.

OK, this is the advice column, so for anyone who has made it all the way thru that rant...Should I give the kid a buck or two for whatever he did do, or just stay pissed off that my baby was ignored for an indefinite amount of time the last day?:argh:
From here on out, he can cat-sit for us 'cuz Smoky's pretty adaptable inside or outside, but Tobi gets the ritzy kennel if she can't go with us.

First--no, he shouldn't be taking care of ANY of your animals, at all, at any time. He is not responsible enough, pure and simple. Hire a pet sitting service.

He is not being taught anything good at all by his parents, who should be ashamed that they are teaching their child that animals do not have feelings and needs that must be attended to whether or not we always "feel like it". I wouldn't let him near the cat or the dog again. I don't think he is malicious, but he is not ready for this. What if he were to allow your animals out all day in the heat without water or shelter?

He didn't do his job, so there is no reason to pay him. However, for the sake of keeping peace, give him a buck.

For whomever is to take care of your animals while you are gone again, leave VERY specific, detailed instructions for them and make it clear you expect a small report every day.

Just to make it clear, I don't think this kid deserves a dime and his parents need a swift kick in the ass, but just keep the peace and give him a little something and NEVER let him near your animals again!

Thanks Brandy.:)
I'd be very happy if this little twerp never came near my house again, but he's just next door. He wants a dog so badly and loves to play with Tobi whenever he can. The only reason I thought it would be OK to let him pet sit was because I trusted his parents to help him be responsible. I always help my son when he's asked to take care of their goldfish or hamster or whatever animal they have at the time. Obviously my trust was misplaced, and we all know what happens when we assume...it makes an ass out of u and me.:irked:

Come on guys he is 8 years old! I have two dogs that are family as well and I leave them with the neighbors as well, BUT I only leave them in charge if I completely Trust the parents. I would be willing to bet paychecks that it was not the kids fault, that his parents are to blame. Why punish him? Beside you have no proof that he did not take good care of them other than the fact your dog had to crap and piss alot. Some of that could have been caused from stress of being home with out you there. Pay the kid but don't let them watch your animals again if you think they are being mistreated. I think it would be a bit harsh to never alow him to see your pets again, you said yourself that he loved them. Remember he is only 8.....

I tend to agree with amk here. The boy may not be at fault here. His parents may have gone out somewhere and taken the boy along, so he wouldn't have the opportunity to take Tobi out. It sure does seem that the boys father knew the dog had to out and maybe forgotten about his sons duties until the last minute.
The father at least should've known better.

You might be able to find out some info from the boy as to what happened the next you talk to him.

Yeah, I agree...pay the kid. Just to keep the peace. But I wouldn't ever let him care for the pets again. Either one. I'm sorry that happened. I know it must make you sick to think maybe your dog wasn't taken care of while you were gone. He's fine now though and I'm glad. This boys parents should be ashamed of themselves. Especially if they're right next door! No excuse for that what-so-ever!!!

I totally agree with amk and sarg. I have a 6 year old and a 10 year old, and I know they aren't responsible enough to take care of someone else's animals,unless the animal was in our home and they were visually reminded of what needed to be done.

The parents most likely are to blame in your situation...they may have been sidetracked by their own schedules and been several hours late that particular evening to take care of Tobi. Regardless, I agree that they shouldn't be allowed to care for any of your animals again,but I would pay the child something. He is, after all, a child.

I can't even get a 13 yr old to take out the garbage. Trash comes twice a week on the same day's, Mon. & Thurs. morning. The kid alway's tells me (I'm sorry, I forgot) and then I end up doing it. It's just the age and time we live in I think.

Teens & pre-teens seem so lazy these days. I catch him lying saying he did it and he really didn't, just not to have to do it.

That could of been your case with the dog. He may have ben telling the parents everything was OK and he was doing the job when in fact he wasn't. But ya may never know. You know not to trust him again, that's for sure.

Thanks for your advice everybody.:) I am really more upset at the parents, not at the kid. He really likes our animals and I know he would do his best to take care of them, but he should have had more guidance from his parents. If I can't trust the parents to help guide him in his responsibilities, I can't leave my babies under their care.

Hey abcmcd, I agree with a majority of the other posters regarding the parents. If anything, this was their chance to teach their child a little bit about responsibility and it looks like they didn't. Are these parents young parents? That could be the case too. Either way, they should be ashamed of themselves.

I would recommend a dog sitting service. That is what we use when we go away for our three dogs. This way, the dogs can stay at home in an environment that they are familar with and like. We put the dogs in a dog kennel one time, and they drugged our dog because he barked too much for them. My parents were pissed that they sedated one of them :mad: Not only that, but he ended up getting a nasty infection on his one paw. So from then on, we NEVER did that again.

The dog sitter we use is really great. He makes three trips out to the house to walk, feed, and play with the dogs. They also do other things like take your trash cans out to the street and turn your lights on or off in the house. Since Tobie is similar in age to our dogs, it may not be a bad idea for her. I would look around at dog sitter services. Usually, they will come over and meet you and the dog and you can get a good idea of how Tobie will react to her, as well as form an opinion of your own.

I would give it a try, or at least look into it. We've stopped depending on the neighbors to take care of them and watch the house while everyone is away. I think it is just better getting the people who do that for a living.

I like Brandon's suggestion. :) I've had people from a place called Critter Sitters come in to take care of my cat when I used to go away on weekends. They were really great, and my cat didn't mind them...too much. :lol:

Given the boy's age, I don't think there was much more he could have done. Sadly enough, when I was 8 years old, I'd probably act the same damn way!

I do think that the parents need a kick in the teeth about the joys, wonders and REQUIREMENTS of being RESPONSIBLE though.

Like I said, the kid isn't being taught about living up to responsibilty, considering the feelings and needs of other beings, etc. I hope that they wake up and realize what a disservice they are doing to this kid.