{"id":2423,"date":"2016-01-15T13:23:03","date_gmt":"2016-01-15T13:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/anartfuldogger.com\/?p=2423"},"modified":"2016-01-19T07:41:00","modified_gmt":"2016-01-19T07:41:00","slug":"do-in-home-pet-sitters-give-you-the-heebie-jeebies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/anartfuldogger.com\/do-in-home-pet-sitters-give-you-the-heebie-jeebies\/","title":{"rendered":"Do In-Home Pet Sitters Give You the Heebie-Jeebies? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Hiring One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you get spooked by things that go bump in the night\u2014and in the daytime, too? You know, the kinds that\/who hang out with your furry friends in your private little corner of the world?<\/p>\n

Aside from horror stories of pet sitters t(h)rashing homes<\/a> or losing pets<\/a> or even home invasions and peeping Toms and Tammies, is the thought of some random stranger getting 24\/7 access to your property unsettling in general, Rockwell-style<\/a>? Do you feel that way or is there someone else living with you who does? Are you or is your co-occupant socially anxious or selective? (As an introvert, I totally get you!) At the risk of sounding a bit like a hypocrite, I’d probably get a bit nervous letting someone go in and out of my place with my belongings and pets while I’m away, so the last thing I want for you is to feel uneasy.<\/p>\n

In-home services by far provide the best peace of mind and the ultimate convenience<\/a> for pet parents and homeowners, but to some folks, having others come to their personal space to provide services is just the polar opposite of putting their mind at ease. If you resemble that remark, what do you do in situations like this?<\/p>\n

I’ve just got to let this cat out of the bag after a very recent inquiry for dog sitting. It was a nearly last-minute referral from my friend through Sittercity<\/a>. The prospect and I were ready to get the ball rolling\u2014service forms and meet-and-greet day and time were all set up\u2014until she found out after the fact<\/i> that her roommate was uncomfortable with anyone staying in the home overnight. Brief daily visits were a no-go, either. I suppose that electricians, plumbers, gardeners, satellite or cable technicians, or even housekeeping companies that sometimes do have unrestricted access to the homes of their clients, wouldn’t even pass this person’s inspection. I wonder if this person watches too many Investigation Discovery<\/a> shows (admittedly, my guilty pleasures, by the way!).<\/p>\n

Oops.<\/p>\n

Booking fail.<\/p>\n

All in all, it was a cordial text conversation. She and I were both disappointed about the arrangement not working out, but I referred her to a local boarding facility with a good reputation, which she really appreciated.<\/p>\n

I really wish I could offer boarding, but here are the reasons I can’t:<\/p>\n