'I’m determined to take him to court': Florida dog owner loans roommate $3000 to move in, but when she hires a free pet sitter, he blocks them and demands the pup parent take $1000 off their debt

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jun 22, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

One of the things we love about getting older is that we don't have to live with roommates anymore. Sure, you can get the amazing roommate every once in a while, but usually it ends in disaster. At least, it was always that way for us. Even when you move in with one of your best friends, it can still go south at the drop of a dime. And then, additionally, loaning money to people? Yeesh. Consider that a recipe for disaster.

This Florida dog owner loaned her "close friend" $3000 to help cover move-in expenses. They pawtiently waited while he redecorated his room, bought an expensive TV, and went on vacations with his girlfriend, all the while saying he didn't have the money to repay them. They then go on a 20-day vacation, get a friend to watch their pup, but the roommate has other plans. He blocks the dog sitter and demands that he do it, and then charges them $1000 for it. What in the woofing world is going on here? Read the whole thread below!

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  • 01

    To avoid repaying $1,500 he owes me, my roommate invented a $1,000 “dog-sitting” fee and sent it by certified mail

    'It's not even about the money anymore - it's about the betrayal.'
    via Andrii Zastrozhnov

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    He was one of my closest friends (close enough that my card was linked to his Apple Pay because he was constantly short on money). When we first moved in together, I loaned him $3,000 to help cover move-in
    via u/Anastasia-usa

  • You only ever have to learn this lesson once: never loan your friends money. You never know what can happen to people, or what other motives they may have behind their backs. It's a gamble you don't want to come out on the wrong side of.

  • 03
    costs and the first month's rent. Over the next six months, he only repaid about half - and only in small amounts, always after I reminded him multiple times.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 04
    I kept swallowing the "I don't have money" excuse, even while he was buying a huge TV, redecorating his room, and going on vacations with his girlfriend. But now something happened that just blew my mind.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 05
    20 m ML 11028082 A L12 30
    via dimarik

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    I had to leave town for 20 days. After a week of offering him a debt reduction to watch my pup (and getting shut down every time), I arranged for a friend to stay in my room and take care of pup for free. She was totally fine with it and happy to help.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 07
    He immediately refused to allow anyone else in the apartment and said he'd kick her out if she showed up. Then he suddenly changed his mind and said he'd
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 08
    do it himself after blocking my free solution. I told him clearly I wasn't hiring him — I already had someone who was happy to do it for nothing.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 09
    A few weeks later, he sent me an official certified letter demanding $1,000 for dog- sitting and said he wouldn't repay me unless I subtracted that amount from the debt.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 10
    That was the final straw. Now, I'm determined to take him to court. It's not even about the money anymore - it's about the betrayal.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 11
    I'd really appreciate any advice - especially if you've been through something similar or know what kind of evidence actually works in small claims court.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10518862080
    via 85Miranda from Pixabay

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    Location: Florida, Hollywood UPD:
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 14
    Quick clarification (since many seem confused): - Yes, we are both on the lease. - Breaking the lease early would cost around $8,000, which I would have to pay alone. - He refuses to be removed from the lease and won't agree to replace me. He's very comfortable that I'm paying and almost do not live here
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 15
    . yes I use ChatGPT to translate I really appreciate the perspectives, but I'm specifically looking for legal reasoning, not general advice to "just let it go."
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 16
    If you know of a good book, case law reference, or even a legal weak point in my position ― I'd genuinely appreciate it. On the flip side, if there are solid strategies to prove the debt or invalidate the "dog-sitting" claim, I'd love to hear those too.
    via u/Anastasia-usa
  • 17
    I'm not here for emotional closure. I'm here to build a case or understand why it may not be viable.
    via u/Anastasia-usa

  • Revenge is tricky. We understand they feel pawsitively wronged, but all the efforts they will go through to get “justice” may be more trouble than it's worth. 

  • 18
    NotBrianGriffin 20h ago • Do you have a record or contract regarding the "loaned" $3k? If not it may be hard to get a court to give you a judgement against him.
    via u/NotBrianGriffin
  • 19
    Particular-Peanut-64 · 20h ago If you want to take it to small claims, then do it. (Its the principle, not the money. And if that would make you feel better and move on, | dont see why not.)
    via u/Particular-Peanut-64
  • 20
    I guess everyone else is saying is it isnt worth it if it was them in this position. And that is their opinion, which you asked for in legal advice.
    via u/Particular-Peanut-64
  • 21
    But you are not them, so you feel differently. So I encourage you to go and see for yourself. Hopefully, you get a positive jugdement.
    via u/Particular-Peanut-64
  • 22
    (I got screwed a couple of times in my life and just didnt have the courage and said it isn't worth it, but 20+ yrs, the memory pops up and it grates me. | ¦ does.) I know it shouldn't but it
    via u/Particular-Peanut-64
  • 23
    So good luck to you. Please update and let me know. I'll live vicariously through your experience.
    via u/Particular-Peanut-64
  • 24
    Prestigious_Lamb • 22h ago . Never go to court out of spite. It is not there to inflict pain and almost certainly will cost more of your time and energy (even without a lawyer) than any satisfaction you will gain from
    via u/Prestigious_Lamb
  • 25
    holding this person accountable. It would be way better spent toward relocation costs. Small claims court can take ages and you'll just get more and more bitter towards each other while you still are
    via u/Prestigious_Lamb
  • 26
    living under the same roof. You should probably start looking for a new place. The trust has deteriorated too much between you to be sharing a space together and it's probably only going to get worse, especially if his financial situation doesn't dramatically improve.
    via u/Prestigious_Lamb

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