The Trust In This Friendship Has Gone To The Dogs
My friend went on vacation and asked me to check in on her dogs. It was a twenty-mile drive one way, but I knew she was really worried about the dogs being alone for the first time, so I agreed to sit with them twice a day for about an hour or so each time, working around my ten-hour work days, if someone else could check when I was not available. She agreed.
Day 1:
Friend: “I know you’re not planning on going over for a couple of hours, but could you go early?”
Me: “I’m at work for the next six hours. I can’t go until after.”
Friend: “Okay, but I can’t get a hold of [Friend #2] and she was supposed to go over.”
Me: “I’m sorry, I can’t go until I’m done with work.”
Friend: “You said you would be there!”
Me: “So did your other friend. I cannot go until after work.”
Friend: “Fine. I’ll find someone else.”
I went over after work as I said I would. The dogs were fine.
One morning, my phone started ringing at 2:00 am. I picked it up without opening my eyes.
Me: “What?”
Friend: “[My Name], I need you to go check on the dogs.”
Me: “Now? Why?”
Friend: “I’m worried the neighbors will complain if they’re barking.”
Me: “Are they complaining?”
Friend: “What if they call animal control?”
Me: *Sigh* “I have to work at 5:00 am. Where—”
Friend: “[Friend #2] still isn’t answering. I don’t know what to do! Jesus Christ, [My Name], you’re supposed to help me!”
Me: “I am! I went out before and after work yesterday, and the five days before—”
Friend: “But—”
Me: “I am doing all of this for free. I know you’re stressed, but you are being very demanding. It has to stop. I cannot be available twenty-four-seven.”
There was a moment of silence.
Friend: “Oh. I see. I’m sorry my dogs are such a burden. You can mail my spare key back.”
Me: “[Friend], no, I just—”
Friend: “Goodbye.” *Hangs up*
I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I went to check on the dogs one last time. It turned out that [Friend #2] was already there; [Friend] was so panicked about leaving her dogs that she told each of us that the other wasn’t answering to guilt us into checking on her dogs more often.
[Friend #2] and I worked out a schedule for the remainder of her vacation and then mailed our keys back together.