Pet Sitting Token of Appreciation?

[KK812]

I'm putting this here because I want opinions from non-pet owners, too.

We will be returning home today from a two week trip to see our family. Our good friends stayed at our house while we were gone for two reasons:

1. We have a 5 lb dog that they fed and cleaned up after.

2. Their baby is in the NICU five minutes away from our house, which was a much more convenient commute than the one from their house 45 minutes away.

They didn't have to take our dog out, as he uses "puppy pads," but they did feed him and replace his pads. We didn't discuss our giving them anything, since we are close and they thought of it as no big deal. However, I would like to give them a little something.

I guess I'm giving all of these reasons because we don't have much spare cash right now, so I'm hoping a $50 restaurant gift card wouldn't be insulting? What would you think? Should I give them more than that?

TIA

[jajacobsen]

I don't think that would be insulting t all. A nice thank you note and a gift card will be appropriate.

[Chimichanga]

I think that's very generous and nice of you.

ILs might be watching our two large dogs for us for a week. We're going to give them some $$ (not yet discussed) and get them something nice from vacation.

Since you guys didn't discuss anything before, I think the gc will be very appreciated.

[salysaturn]

We used to watch our neighbors pets all the time. A $50 would have been wonderful, esp in their situation. Giving them access to your house, being closer to their child, it's not insulting.

[Standrea]

I think a $50 gc is more then enough.

[ManteoChik]

I think a GC would be lovely - possibly to a restaurant that is close to the hospital where their baby is?

I would also maybe offer (if you have room) for them to stay anytime they might need to while their baby is in the hospital.

[bunny nose]

A gift card is a wonderful gesture. I used to pet sit for my brother and SIL. Never once did they offer anything to show appreciation. They will probably say you shouldn't have, butthey will feel good about it.

[AHammer]

I think that's a great idea - I still remember the ONE time someone gave me a card for petsitting, because I thought it was so nice of them. I think a gift card is a great gesture for someone who helped out for two weeks!

[laura]

We always trade these kinds of things back and forth with our close friends - driving each other to the airport (we both travel a lot), pet-sitting, house-sitting, etc. - and we always do something to thank each other, though it varies widely. If all else fails, we just take them to dinner. I think a restaurant GC is fine, or a bottle of wine, or you could cook them dinner or take them to dinner at a later date.

[NotDesperate]

I think its great. Afterall, you saved them gas and time by letting them stay at your house close to their hospital.

Do you think they will use a restaurant card? I guess they gotta eat but I just wondered because their baby is in the NICU and maybe they are too busy...? Hopefully their baby's stay is short though.

[KK812]

Thanks for the feedback, all! :) They would definitely use the GC-they eat out almost every meal at this point. I will do one with carside to go, for sure.

[imagirliegirl]

I think that is very nice.