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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/iFxkedUp on 2026-01-19 19:14:52+00:00.
TIFU by lying to my pet sitting client.
The other day, I was doing a visit for this client and they have a cat that tends to eat string. I accidentally left a cat toy with a string on it on the kitchen counter while I took care of other things. He ate it. I had noticed that he ate it by looking at the toy and realizing it was gone.
I thought it was a fairly small string and he was going to pass it and I left. I should not have left. I’m not sure why I didn’t contact pet parents right away to let them know. I’ve been doing this many, many years and I know better. I truly know better but my judgment lapsed this day.
Anyway, during my second visit that day, I realized that strings are dangerous and told them that I was grabbing my cat toy to bring inside and noticed that it was gone/chewed off and which cat was the likely culprit. They reviewed their video (I knew the cameras were there) to make sure it was that cat. They also saw me pick up the toy and look at it when I’m telling them I didn’t notice until later.
I doubled down. Their friend took him to the emergency vet and he’s been there since then waiting for it to pass or to be able to actually see it in imaging - they haven’t been able to see it yet.
I’ve had this horrible anxiety and pain in my chest and stomach since I totally fucked up. My watch even told me my heart rate keeps spiking. I’ve decided that if they bring it up, I’m just going to tell them that something didn’t click and I don’t remember really realizing what actually happened. I know - more lies, but I don’t know what else to do. And I can just hope they believe me.
Obviously I’m covering the hospital stay, likely with my insurance. But I just need this anxiety to stop. I hate feeling this way and I don’t know why I fucking lied!!!! I just have so much going on in life and I spaced. I feel absolutely awful. I can’t tell anyone about this for fear of them judging me, but I know you’ll judge me, too. But at least I don’t know any of you. This is so unlike me and I’m so disappointed and just need it to be fixed and go away. I’m so much better than this but life is hitting me at every angle lately and I’m just tired and worn out and burnt out.
TL;DR I lied to my pet sitting client about when/how their cat ate a string and when I knew about it and I know they saw me on camera recognizing the issue.