Am I the only one that makes sure that if my dog's aren't going with me, I have someone to watch our animals, before I finalize the booking?

I will absolutely call a friend or a family member if they run a business that provides the service I require. However, the first thing I make clear is that I don't expect a discount or special treatment simply because we know each other. I'm not entitled to your service simply because we know each other. If you insist on giving me a discount for this reason, I'll accept with grace, but I will not ask for a discount.

I swear I could have written this. I'm going through something similar myself. My parents decided to go on vacation, in February they started making arrangements, asked me if I could watch their dog. I said sure. Flash forward a few months, I got a job that requires me to spend stints away from home. I told them, with months of warning, I could no longer guarantee my availability. At great risk to my new job, I still tried for time off. I was not surprised when I was denied. My mom, with weeks left to go, decided to cancel her trip, because even though I gave her warning, she didn't bother finding backup. Apparently it's all my fault they can't go on holidays. Sorry for getting a job so I could pay my damn bills.

NTA, if a person has no time she has no time to dog-sit her parent´s pup. Other people have to look for an external dogsitter either. Or stay home.

Hang on, I have dogs and I have never, ever expected anyone else to care for them. I’ve never even asked! I’m including family. I would never ask them in anything other than a dire emergency. It’s not that I don’t trust my family with my dogs, but the dogs were my mine and my husband’s choice, not theirs. We won’t leave them in kennels either, again, our choice. The one is a rescue and kennels aren’t a good association for her. It wouldn’t be fair to her or the kennels. It means we can’t do things sometimes. So be it. We knew that when we took them on. That’s what we signed up for and we find a way. Holidays are lovely but we find places we can take them with us without stressing them.

NTA - family should not expect treatment that is different to a paying client - even if they are paying. How would they feel if they had booked with you and two days before you contacted them and cancelled their booking for someone else ? Bet they would be pissed and yet they expect you to do that to someone else. Good for you sticking to your decision !!

Having 2 older dogs myself, I understand why they don't want to bring their dog even if the place is dog friendly. As they age, they often dont travel well. That being said, OP's parents, and truthfully, sisters, are whack! She has a business to run. They know this. Either make your appointment with her well in advance, or have one of the sisters, or their hubby's, care for the dog. OP is definitely NTJ here.

NTA. She's running a business, not a charity. That starts at home, and I don't see the poster's family being those kind of people. I'm in constant amazement at the bs people are putting up with on the regular from their family...I can't do it. So much peace without the drama and shenanigans.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no. I admire people that respect that your word is your bond.

She did the right thing. Her family needs to learn how to be less selfish and think of how things would be in opposite situations.

NTA OP, where I grew up there were a couple of dog sitting places and I guess you would take the dog there? I don't have a dog so I never looked into it. You declined the second group of vacation days. They had time to look up some place like that, or ask a friend to check on them each day. Do they even pay you? People book hotels and flights in advance, they should do the same with their pets. You know, like your client did.

Most parent's teach their children to honor commitments and now they want you to blow off your client's? Way to go Mom and Dad .

Are you saying that they are leaving you behind to watch their dogs while they all go on a "family" vacation and refuse to take no for an answer, asking you to cancel on another client to do so! This is not acceptable and your family is selfish, inconsiderate, narcissistic and toxic! I strongly suggest that you break contact with them. They are using you! It's hard to break ties with family but they are not treating you like a family should!

NTA. I think you need to stop pet sitting for them at all. You should be invited to "family" vacations. I would go lc or NC with them. Sorry, but your entire family sounds awful.

Take your dog with you if it possible! IT certainly is not right to assume anyone will take care of your animals! Good grief. I have 4 dogs. I just don't go if I know that my dogs may not be OK. My dogs are more important to me than a vacation!

You are not the ah

We are lucky we have family to watch our dog for free. But as soon as I plan for our vacation (if we can't take our dog) I ask them if they are able to dogsit. Even 1+ year in advance. They love dog sitting but I still make sure they are ok with it. If we are vacationing last minute which is rare, we'll ask them only because they want our dog to stay whenever possible (it's like therapy for them), but if they can't I am prepared to budget for our groomer who dogsits on the side. There are so many options these parents could have done - having back up dogsitters is key. So NTA about this OP.