Do you feel guilty?????

[WOW]

We have decided to get a puppy (Lab), but I am stressing out because we will have to put her in a kennel when we visit WDW (which can be often). We really don't have anyone to take care of her, so we won't have any options. We live in NJ and fly to Orlando, would never think of driving. What are your thoughts on the guilt that I am feeling? We don't have her yet---we have a deposit and can bring her home about 11/15. I have checked out kennels in our area and there are some very nice ones, but I am still worrying about this. Help!!!!!

 

[RoutemanDan]

Fortunately we have family take care of our dog.I don't know where in Jersey you are,but I have seen a pet hotel in Verona on rt.23.More like a room for your dog than just a cage.You may want to check that out.

 

[WOW]

Hi Routeman----we live in Bergen County and Verona/Route 23 isn't too far for us. If you know the name, could you please let me know? Thanks.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I know what you mean WOW! We have a cat that hates to be left alone. When we went away this past June, our neighbor stopped in each day to feed and play with her but she hid! Our neighbor informed us that she didn't eat anything for the first two days that we were gone. Now that we have purchased DVC I'm very concerned about our trip next June but I think she would be more tramatized to be taken to a cat hotel. Annmarie

 

[Dan Murphy]

A good, reputable kennel is fine for short term boarding. Just make sure you inspect the place ahead of time and vbe sure you are comfortable with it. There are many good ones. Enjoy your new puppy.

 

[Saffron]

UGH! I feel guilty about this the minute I book a trip. I have a pet sitter come in for my cats, but I don't trust them with my dog. He's high strung and strong (he's a beautiful 5 year old Lab), so I feel safest with him in a kennel. I use a kennel that has both an indoor and outdoor fenced in (the top is fenced in too, so there is no jumping out) area in the section of the kennel he would be boarded in. In other words, he can go out when he wants and come in when he wants. They open the doggie doors 3 times a day, and leave them open for an hour or two at a time (I don't know what they do in the winter??? I've only ever boarded him in the summer). We take his bed with him, his toys with him, some extra bones and fruit and vegies. We pay a little bit extra for the extras, but he's well worth it. I wish I could leave him in the house with a pet sitter, but I wouldn't trust anyone else with him. I would be a nervous wreck on vacation. I'm confident that he is safe and well taken care of. That's what matters most to me. He's mad at me when I go to get him, but he gets over it rather quickly.

 

[Punkswife]

Well, I am the pet lover of all pet lovers!!!! I have three cats and two dogs; one of which is a Golden Retriever that is only 8 months old. My mother has kept my other dog (a Westhighland Terrier) in the past, but it is too much for her to have our pup too. This will be our first trip to WDW that we have to take the pup to a kennel. We had her trained and the trainer that we took her to will only keep the dogs that he has trained. I was nervous before getting her, like you, and after leaving her with him for a week of training, I feel much more relaxed about leaving her with him again while we are on our vacation. My animals are like my children and would not leave them just anywhere or with just anyone. He is going to do some additional training while he has her, too. If I wouldn't have found him, I would have considered taking her with us to WDW. They have a kennel there. I have not checked it out yet, but plan to do so on this trip. We usually fly, this year we are driving (DD's best friend is going with us and will not fly). So will also need to check out how much it would be to have her fly with us. I also agree with Dan Murphy, carefully inspect the kennels and be very comfortable with it before leaving your pup there. Have fun and enjoy your new baby.

 

[DocRafiki]

I feel really bad about leaving my pups in a kennel. I would make a lot more day trips if it weren't for them. I haven't found a good pet sitter, day care, or kennel that I'm completely comfortable with. That will be a top priority when I move.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I know exactly how you feel!!
My 3 daschunds are like family to me, and our experience with them in a "Country Club" Kennel was not good (They all got very sick).
We tried one of those "in-home" pet sitting services (where they come to your house an "x" number of times a day, etc) but for the # of visits we wanted, it was too expensive. Plus we'd heard that often they will just drive up, throw some food and water at the dogs, then off to the next house. We wanted better care than that. It might be barley acceptable for a day trip, but not for overnight or extended trips.
Here's what we do now. We "advertise" directly with our VET, with my VFW Post, with my wife's Church, and with the local animal rescue shelter, for a retired, responsible, dog-loving adult to live in our home while we are at WDW. This has worked out fine over the past 5 years. Last trip ,we had a retired couple stay in our home and they have agreed to do it again in May. It was almost a vacation for them, with some "easy" $$ to go along with it!!
It is suprising the # of retired (and responsible) adults who really aren't doing much of anything and have no real pressing responsibilities of their own.
I won't go into details in this Post but you can E-mail me and I'll be happy to let you know any particulars.

 

[JESW]

Yes, I DO feel guilty when we go on vacation! We have two (14 year old) cats who are fine when we go. Our neighbor - a cat lover - comes over to feed them and interact with them when we are gone so it's not so bad. (I actually think the cats enjoy the break from the kids!)

We also have 6 parakeets who are ok as long as they have clean water and food. We have one male cockatiel who is ok as long as he's with the other one and near the parakeets (his flock). But the new guy - a male parakeet just under a year old - is the one I worry about. The last time we went away for a week he pulled out all his tail feathers! When we leave in 3 weeks I worry about what he will do since he has become more attached to us since our last trip. My folks and neighbor will stop by daily, but it won't be the same for him. Poor guy!

Jill

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have a kennel, and I can tell you that the dogs who come for "vacation" really enjoy themselves! They think it is fun to see all the other dogs and have a great time barking and playing with toys different from their own. They are always happy to go home, but always glad to come too!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just to be sure I don't offened any of the professional and responsible Kennel operators out there, let me be specific about how my dogs got sick. They all had URI, brought on by stress due to lack of sleep!! Like most dogs, they are used to sleeping a good bit thruout the day, but at a kennel, it's constant noise and activity dawn 'til dusk. And I suspect even at nite things aren't all that quiet. So over a weeks time, they slept very little, became stressed out and their resistance was lowered to the point they all got sick. Nothing the kennels did--it just wasn't the right spot for 3 "raised in luxury" dachshunds!!

 

[Buckalew]

My BIL is a vet and I always have to make sure that we do "kennel cough" treatment before boarding. It helps with something that they can get while boarding.
Good luck.

 

[captin fink]

We have a vary high strung English Pointer who we kennel 2 to 3 times a year for a week and about 3 long weekends a year. We have found a great kennel for her. They have a fenced in 1 acre running area that they let the dogs run in for up to 2 hours per day. The actual kennel size for the dog is quite large (about 12 x 20) They do have smaller ones for the smaller bread dog. She love her week at the kennel.

Do your homework, talk to your Vet, friends and family and get a list of a few kennels. Drop in unannounced and ask for a tour.

Good luck in finding a kennel for your new puppy

Now if I could only find a place for the kids.......

 

[kdibattista]

they sometimes will have a bulletin board with people who will come to your home to feed and let the dog out - if your comfortable with that.

 

[CyranoJones]

I have used the greatest kennel for all of my dogs for 22 years. All I ever had to say was "Who wants to see Melanie?" and it would be excitement city. Wonderful care, lots of individual playtime. I don't feel guilty about leaving my pets there at all. I do have to call today to let them know that my greyhound died last week so I won't be needing kennel space for various upcoming trips I have planned.

My other pets include cats and an iguana and I have a friend come in to take care of them. I must say that the cats I've had never did as well at a kennel and are much better off at home.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Originally posted by WOW
Hi Routeman----we live in Bergen County and Verona/Route 23 isn't too far for us. If you know the name, could you please let me know? Thanks.

Passed by there today.It is actually in Cedar Grove. The name is Don Wheelers Hotel,salon and school for cats and dogs.It is located at 1160(I am pretty sure thats the number) Pompton Ave(Rt 23) Cedar Grove.