Advice on how to deal with this please?

Just say ‘no’ they are taking the piss - I know family members that use other family members as kennels/cattery and family doing the ‘caring’ are now resentful but don’t know how to say no!!!!!

Wow! That is a massive ask! Do they pay you? Doesn’t seem fair to abandon the dogs for such long and frequent durations. I would tell them you can’t commit as you are considering booking some breaks yourself. I think they are taking advantage of your good nature!

They are really abusing your friendship. I pay for my dog to be looked after, every time. I believe in using a proper dog minder and pay her at the going rate.

I think they have an absolute cheek expecting you to look after their dog like this.

It’s a shocking exploitation of the OPs kindness. I keep coming back to the fact it’s no way to arrange dog care for anything longer than a couple of days in emergency

No! Just say No. Nobody can assume you will do all those dates without asking.

When my dog was alive I wouldn’t dream of asking my neighbors every time I went away. Odd times they offered to look after her but that was only for a family funeral etc and I was only gone a week if I was going on holiday my dog went into kennels. I would write down maybe two short ones and say can’t do others sorry have my own plans and leave it at that don’t explain it’s your business if they do push it just say I don’t mind odd time but i don’t want to have to live my life around your holidays drop them a note through door if you can’t say it in person

Nannashirlz

When my dog was alive I wouldn’t dream of asking my neighbors every time I went away. Odd times they offered to look after her but that was only for a family funeral etc and I was only gone a week if I was going on holiday my dog went into kennels. I would write down maybe two short ones and say can’t do others sorry have my own plans and leave it at that don’t explain it’s your business if they do push it just say I don’t mind odd time but i don’t want to have to live my life around your holidays drop them a note through door if you can’t say it in person

Just to add I lived overseas so that is why it was a week lol

These folk should not be dog owners

For goodness sake’s OP just say NO.
Do you realise that these so called supportive neighbours expected you to give up over a quarter of a year of your life to support their dogs, while their relaxing on holidays. They don’t care for you or their dogs they’re just selfish git’s in my opinion.

I would think that they take more from you than you get from them.

What an absolute nerve! Could simply not believe it.

Beckett

Many thanks for the replies. No they don't pay me but do sometimes treat me to meals out and gave me a lovely gift at Christmas. I live alone and know I can call on them if I need help with anything. I am in my middle 70s and am finding controlling 2 lively dogs on daily walks is becoming difficult.

I think I will invite them in for a drink and then explain to them that I whilst I am willing to help out I can't cover for all the dates they are away. I just hope it won't affect our relationship.

Please come back and let us know you get on Beckett

Good luck and stay strong!

Time to have a conversation . Set your own ground rules. Go through that list and say no to some of those requests without offering reasons why. Maybe say now that you are both retired and going away more you need to have plan for times when I can' t do it. Say it as it is girl.

You've been a brilliant neighbour for a long time. Unfortunately, this latest set of demands (they aren't requests) is too much. Just kindly and politely tell this couple they must make alternative arrangements. What you offered before was a favour, not a business which is what they now need.

And don't be pushed into doing some of these dates. You have saved them a fortune which they will now discover when they have to pay.

This is the exact reason we won’t replace our beloved dog who we lost last year, as we have planned to go away for the month at the end of this year and don’t feel it’s fair on either the dog or whoever we asked to stand in and we know we won’t be able to afford kennels and the break. Don’t feel guilty they can’t have their cake and eat it. Explain your point too tying but don’t apologise you weren’t even asked, just expected, no one likes to be taken for granted.

I see you are loathe to affect your cosy relationship Beckett but it isn't sustainable as you know to keep caring for the dogs.
Good luck with your chat with them but don't expect them to understand how you feel. They sound very selfish to me.

Just tick the ones you can do if you want to do any ! And then just say I'm not available for the rest Give them a local dog sitters number

UPDATE: Crisis averted! I invited the neighbours in for a drink last night. Explained my difficulties in walking the dogs and also my concern about the amount of time they will be away.

It seems after they gave me the list they began to think along the same lines themselves, but worried if they suggested getting someone else to share the dog sitting that I would be upset!

They are going to look at recommendations for dog walkers and will ask around the family to see if someone could move in when they plan to be away for more than a couple of days.

Again many thanks for all the replies and support - they were a great help

Phew! What a relief.
Maybe they read these threads too.

Good outcome Beckett. What a relief for you.
Grammaretto that thought made me laugh!🤣🤣

A positive outcome. It shows that both sides have had different views which have been resolved by talking. Well done on a good result.

That's a relief Beckett problem solved in a satisfactory way with no ill feeling.
You can still enjoy some time with the dogs as well.

Ooooo I love a good ending 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻