Entitled sister expects her sibling to dogsit Copper the Golden Retriever without notice, but fails to ask ahead or say thank you: 'She said she "forgot" and that she had already booked her flight'

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Mar 4, 2026 6:00 PM EST

This woman wasn't ready to be a responsible dog owner, but got a puppy anyway, dumping the pet on her sister whenever it suited her travel plans.

Her sister was willing to dogsit on occasion, but that didn't mean that she could just drop her dog at her house whenever she felt like it. Although it's nice for pet owners to feel like there's a backup option for their pet when they need it, taking advantage of a family member and expecting them to shoulder the responsibility of pet ownership alongside them is totally entitled and should be met with some serious boundaries.

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  • Woman watching a friend's golden retriever.
    via Africa Images

    Woman watching a friend's golden retriever. 

    (Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.)

  • I love dogs. I love my friends' dogs, my parents' dogs, and my siblings' dogs, but that doesn't mean that I'd be willing to put my life on hold every weekend to assume dog ownership. Dogs are an enormous responsibility, and despite what social media says, dogs require a ton of care that will likely exceed any aspiring dog owner's expectations. Sure, they're cute, cuddly, slobbery, and sweet, but a dog needs to be walked, they need to go out to potty, they need vet visits, treats, toys, beds, and they need an owner who's prepared to train them, love them, and provide pretty much constant care. 

    They aren't called furbabies for no reason. 

  • [I told] my sister I won't be her "backup plan" for her dog anymore

    My sister has a golden retriever named Copper, he's three years old and genuinely the sweetest dog I've ever met. For about a year I've been her go-to dog sitter whenever she travels for work,
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • which used to be maybe once a month. I was happy to do it, I work from home, Copper and I get along great, it felt like a nice arrangement for everyone.
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • Dogsitting a golden retriever.
    via ValentinRussanov

    Dogsitting a golden retriever.

    (Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.)

  • The problem is it's gotten completely out of hand. She now travels almost every other week and just assumes I'm available. She stopped asking in advance,
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • she just sends me a message like "dropping Copper off Thursday, back Sunday" with zero notice and zero question mark at the end. Last month I had a close
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • friend visiting from out of town for the first time in two years and I had already told my sister I wasn't available that weekend. She showed up anyway, said she
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • "forgot" and that she had already booked her flight. I watched him that weekend because I felt cornered but I was frustrated the entire time.
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • This week she did it again. I told her no, that I had plans and she needed to find a boardig option or hire a walker. She got genuinely upset and said I was being selfish
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • Sweet golden retriever dog waiting by the door.
    via pixelshot

    Sweet golden retriever dog waiting by the door. 

    (Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.)

  • because Copper "doesn't do well with strangers" and that I was the only person he trusted. I told her that wasn't my responsibilty to manage and that she needed to
    via Orbit_12Vector
  • stop treating me like a standing reservation she never actually made. She hasn't texted me since. I feel bad because I love that dog, but I dont think I did anything wrong here. Did I?
    via Orbit_12Vector

  • Not every wannabe dog person realizes the consequences of adopting that wide-eyed puppy at the pet store adoption event. Not only will that puppy become larger and more needy, but they'll also require a caregiver every day. They're not like lizards, fish, or even cats. You can't leave a dog for days at a time and expect them to be okay, you need to be ready to hire a dog sitter if you plan to go out of town; it seems obvious to some, but to the entitled people of the world, they expect their personal responsibilities to simply fall into place, likely because a family member or friend bent over backwards to help them out. 

  • There comes a point when this woman must realize that she needs to start being a thoughtful dog owner, instead of pushing the unsavory responsibilities onto someone else. 

  • Chandlerdd . You did nothing wrong. Sadly your sister took advantage and now she's pouting because she didn't get her way.
    via Chandlerdd
  • Da... You absolutely did nothing wrong. Copper is her dog, not yours. She needs to find a reliable boarding facility.
    via Da
  • SunshineGirl1230 OP, you are not the AH here. Your sister is, however. You told her on a few occasions that you weren't available, and she just drops the dog off, assuming you're free. But she
    via SunshineGirl1230
  • really should realize there are other options out there, such as doggy day care, dog walkers, boarding, etc.
    via SunshineGirl1230
  • You need to go NC with her if she keeps this up. She needs to learn that she can't just drop her dog off just any old time she feels like. You have a life.
    via SunshineGirl1230
  • You may love that dog, but you can only take so much. You take care of yourself and do what you have to do. Your life can't revolve around watching her dog.
    via SunshineGirl1230

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dogs siblings sister entitled people
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