Pet Lovers

[rms1954]

@Jaynah just tell her it was a one-time offer and you didn't plan on making it a continuous thing.  Simple.

[Sooner]

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@Sooner wrote:

"No.  I'm not going to be available to cat sit any more."

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"Oh my you can't cat sit any more?  I hope nothing is wrong.  Why?"

"My schedule won't allow it now."

"Oh no!  What has changed."

"I don't want to go into it, but I hope you find someone who is good for your lovely cat.  I did enjoy him/her/it."

If you really want to  you might buy the cat a little cat toy to express your disappointment at giving up the title of cat sitter.  

[nana59]

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@Sooner wrote:

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@Sooner wrote:

"No.  I'm not going to be available to cat sit any more."

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"Oh my you can't cat sit any more?  I hope nothing is wrong.  Why?"

"My schedule won't allow it now."

"Oh no!  What has changed."

"I don't want to go into it, but I hope you find someone who is good for your lovely cat.  I did enjoy him/her/it."

If you really want to  you might buy the cat a little cat toy to express your disappointment at giving up the title of cat sitter.  

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i think buying the cat a toy is sending a mixed message.....she's not disappointed to stop cat sitting......

[decaf]

Honestly, just reading 'OPs situation irks me.  I haven't read all the replies.  My husband can't so no to any neighbor or co-worker that asks for help, so they're always asking and our house needs all sorts of repairs that never get done.

OP, just firmly tell her you're not able to do that.  Then stop talking.  If necessary , repeat and stop talking.  The one that stops talking wins.  She's the type who has no problem taking advantage of others, please learn to say NO.

[geezerette]

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@decaf wrote:

Honestly, just reading 'OPs situation irks me.  I haven't read all the replies.  My husband can't so no to any neighbor or co-worker that asks for help, so they're always asking and our house needs all sorts of repairs that never get done.

OP, just firmly tell her you're not able to do that.  Then stop talking.  If necessary , repeat and stop talking.  The one that stops talking wins.  She's the type who has no problem taking advantage of others, please learn to say NO.

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@decaf 

My friend has that same problem with her husband.  It drives her nuts.

[decaf]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@decaf wrote:

Honestly, just reading 'OPs situation irks me.  I haven't read all the replies.  My husband can't so no to any neighbor or co-worker that asks for help, so they're always asking and our house needs all sorts of repairs that never get done.

OP, just firmly tell her you're not able to do that.  Then stop talking.  If necessary , repeat and stop talking.  The one that stops talking wins.  She's the type who has no problem taking advantage of others, please learn to say NO.

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@decaf 

My friend has that same problem with her husband.  It drives her nuts.

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@geezerettePlease tell your friend how much I commiserate with her, it's so frustrating.  Some people can't say no anyone, even people they know are selfish users looking for free labor.

[stevieb]

@Jaynah  You can be pleasant about it but be direct. Simply tell her you don't mind helping out occasionally, but you don't want a regular pet-sitting gig.

[Kachina624]

@stevieb    I think the "occasionally" ship has sailed and shouldn't be mentioned.  To this neighbor, occasionally probably means every other week.  She'd take advantage without batting an eye. 

[febe1]

Your neighbor is rude and taking advantage of you, but you are the one who ends up feeling guilty. Exactly, and that's what they intend, when they find one they get away with. 

You shouldn't have to worry about "hurting her feelings," when she is the one who should feel bad for doing that to you. 

Just tell her no, you won't be doing that anymore. Then stop talking. It's not up to you to make her not feel bad!

[nana59]

you need to distance yourself from her....pretty soon she'll be asking you to take in her mail....do her grocery shopping....do her laundry....do her ironing....and cut her grass!!! she has no boundaries.....