Head Hunted as cat sitters!!

[Gemini]

A few weeks ago a typed envelope arrived on our doorstep. It was addressed to Gemini and housemates.
Inside was a letter from our neighbours, 3 doors down. A couple older than OH and I, maybe in their 70's, I'm not good at guessing ages! We have spoken to them several times over the years, but just in a Good Morning, Nice Day type of way. Once the lady fell outside our house and her glasses cut her head. I asked if she wanted to come in (not realising how close she lived LOL) and my next door neighbour and I comforted her and he walked her back home. That was as much as we knew of them.

The gist of the long and very well written letter, was that they needed someone to feed their cat when they go on holiday, and noticed we had cats! Their next door neighbours had done this previously but have moved and the new neighbours have yet to move in.
We are fine to do it, the only problem being the first of the 2 dates they gave us clashed with our own holidays. Our very kind catsitters who will be staying in our house when we are away have agreed to look after this cat as well. Once we come home we will take over for the last 3 days.

The 'and housemates' bit amused us very much.
I told them that in fact only 2 of us and 3 cats live here. I agreed that as we have so many friends and family coming and going, it may look like a commune

[Oma]

Maybe she was referring to the Cats as Housemates

[Plantaholic]

Why did she address you as Gemini?

[Oma]

Plant think Gem put that on hear rather than her real name

[Nanto2girls]

Love the letter addressed to Gemini and housemates.

[Gemini]

Yes Oma is right , he, for it is the husband who has done all the communicating, used my full first name where I have put Gemini
I must ask how he knew my name though, especially my full name which I am not often called!!

[Daisy]

I'm sure they felt a bit embarrassed about asking, Gem. I know I've often felt like that when I've needed a dog minder. I know dogs are more labour intensive, and I feel awful asking, and as they don't know you very well, perhaps they felt it was a big ask. I'm sure they are delighted you've been able to help them.

I think the 'housemates' touch was rather sweet - he perhaps didn't know S's name, and 'housemates' kind of includes your cats in the request. A bit like signing cards from you, your OH and the cat or dog.

[Plantaholic]

Of course Daisy, silly me

[Gemini]

Daisy, he explained that they wrote the letter so as not to put us on the spot by asking us in person, and to be able to explain the whole situation well. I think it was a good way to do it, it was just a surprise to be asked to cat sit for someone you don't know. There is a lot of trust in giving someone your key!

[Glammanana]

What a lovely neighbour you have Gems I can see a fond friendship forming here in the future for you and your housemates.

[Daisy]

Gem - he must have thought you and S were trustworthy people and perfect cat sitters.

I'm sure they will be only too delighted to reciprocate if necessary.

[Mimi]

Gem it’s so refreshing when someone trusts you in this day and age with their house keys and pets.
I have the keys to our neighbours upstairs flat as they were forever locking themselves out and I feed their cats when they are away. I also have the keys to my neighbour across the road from us . She was worried that she would lock herself out as she lives alone for most of the week as her OH works away . She fed our cat when we stayed overnight at DS during the festive season.

There are a few people around here I would never give my keys to mind !

[Gemini]

All went well with cat sitting, apart from the one afternoon when she went AWOL for a while!!
The owners brought us a lovely bunch of flowers and some chocolate biscuits to say thank you

[Daisy]

Gem - they obviously appreciated your help, and I'm sure they would do the same for your and S if the need arises.

[Oma]

We are currently looking after DD's cats (as well as dog) while they are away ,
Tallulah hardly goes out she's a house cat so don't worry about her but Buzz likes to get in the garden and often stays out all night , He has a fancy cat house on the patio but when DD away I would rather he stayed in then I know he's safe ,
Jasper hasn't been home for months, he's been seen going into a house in the Village last week ( one of his many homes) so we know he's ok he will pop in when HE feels he wants too