'They were shocked at how I left the place': Cat lover takes 7 vacation days to watch entitled friends' feline for free, only to be called ungrateful for not deep-cleaning their apartment before leaving

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    Not cleaning my friends’ house after cat-sitting for a week for free?

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    A while ago, I helped out two close friends, Steven (a good friend and former coworker) and his girlfriend Clara. We worked together for about four years until I moved away 8 months ago, but we stayed in touch and I visited a few times. I also became good friends with Clara. They live in a rented house.
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    Two months ago, they adopted a stray cat. They were absolutely over the moon! Since they'd never had a cat before and I've had cats all my life, they messaged me constantly with questions.
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    They had a one-week vacation booked before adopting the cat. Clara asked if I could come stay in their home and take care of her. She said it was a big ask, but I was the only person she trusted. I have a flexible work situation, and they're good friends, so I agreed.
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    I used 5 vacation days, traveled 6 hours to their city, and stayed 7 days. I took care of the cat, watered plants, and sent daily photo updates. Their fridge was fully stocked, I didn't spend anything. But the week was rough. I had relationship problems, tend to overthink, and
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    the cat went into heat and meowed nonstop (they said they'd fix her before, but it didn't happen). With not much to do and the constant noise, I was really drained. Still, I got through it.
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    On day 6, I sent Steven a voice message saying I was happy to be heading home and explained how I'd clean before leaving, but some mess would remain. He replied I shouldn't worry and they'd handle it all.
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    STETHEN KING
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    I left the next day. Second 6 hour trip. Two hours after I got home, Steven called. Very polite, but clearly upset, he said they were shocked at how I left the place, and told me Clara could not stop crying. I was stunned. I told him I thought
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    part of the "compensation" for my help was that I didn't need to leave the place spotless. He admitted he misunderstood my message and thought I planned to deep-clean. We ended the call politely and chalked it up to miscommunication.
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    Here's what I left: 1. Empty bottles (refundable in my country) stacked on the table. 2. Trash that could rot was taken out; cardboard and other dry trash were left in one spot.
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    3. Used towels and bedsheets in a pile near the bed. 4. Some rinsed dishes in the dishwasher, 3-4 items were rinsed but not loaded.
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    No danger in reach for the cat. I've lived alone for 9 years and have always been considered tidy. But yes, I failed to consider their much higher cleaning standards. I apologized to Steven the next day for seeing only through my own lens.
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    Clara, however, sent a very harsh message: she was deeply disappointed, called me ungrateful, ended the friendship, and said I shouldn't even dare to justify my behavior or apologize for anything. That message hit me hard. I lashed out in return, called her ungrateful, crazy, emotionally unstable. Childish, I know.
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    Now Clara and I are done. Things with Steven are strained. The damage is done. But I still wonder: A A for not leaving the house spotless after cat-sitting for free?
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    justanother1014 NTA. Send Steven a bill for your travel costs, unpaid work, 7 days of house sitting and travel time home. Be sure to say "deep cleaning not included."
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    Yes, y'all should have communicated expectations better but Clara needs a reality check.
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    anditurnedaround NTA You did the a huge favor, not one I would have ever done. Check in a cat sure.... But not fly and stay somewhere.
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    How are you ungrateful? I'm missing something. Picking up After yourself would be nice( no dishes/trash) washing your bedding would have been polite, but not a relationship ender! After all you were doing them a really nice thing. I think they can throw sheets in the wash.
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    hospicedoc So they asked you to come housesit their cat (for no pay) for a week so that you have to burn five vacation days and travel six hours each way, and they're disappointed that you didn't deep clean their house before you left?
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    Clara, however, sent a very harsh message: she was deeply disappointed, called me ungrateful, ended the friendship, and said I shouldn't even dare to justify my behavior or apologize for anything. I'm sorry, I missed exactly what you were supposed to be grateful for.
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    NTA. And good riddance- their entitlement is off the charts.
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    Decent_Front4647 They expected a deep clean? Were they paying you for your services? I don't really know what they expected, and the few things you noted don't really amount to a mess. Unless there were dirty counters and the
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    floors were disgusting I don't really know what they were complaining about. You did them an enormous favor. Unless there's something important you left out ending a friendship because you didn't leave their house spotless is weird. NTA
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    Alternative_Talk3324 NTA how much would it have cost to put the cat in boarding for a week? I'd find out and send them a text listing the amount they saved and tell them to hire a cleaner. FFS the audacity of some people.
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    marypfra NTA. You saved them more than enough in pet sitting fees for them to hire a cleaner - even tho it doesn't sound like you left the house a mess.
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    And what a complete over reaction by the girlfriend You are better off without these folks in your life.
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