Our #1 reason for no pets...

[SleepyMom]

is coming back to bite us big time

For 10 years we always said we didn't want a pet because we are gone a lot and it just wouldn't work for us. Well, last summer we decided to get a puppy and now I am remembering why we didn't have one all these years.

DH came home at lunch today and told me of yet another travel opportunity this coming summer, we already have plans to go to Texas the end of May and beginning of June and a trip to Washington DC in July. Now for work he is going to be sent either to Colorado or Wisconsin for 2 weeks and is hoping DD and I can go with him.

Don't get me wrong, I love our little Dasher Man to death and can't imagine life without him. But now I am feeling so guilty about leaving him .
How on earth am I going to find someone to watch him for probably 4 to 5 weeks this summer? Not just someone to watch him, but someone we can trust to take care of him like we do. If we can find a place we trust, is he going to remember us when we get back and will he be mad at us?

We've had two people offer to watch him at their homes for us, and they are good friends, but I don't know how I feel about leaving him with them. We are used to him and know all his little weird things, they don't and may not appreciate them like we do. Plus, one home has 2 smokers in it, which he isn't used to and the other has 2 bigger dogs (which he loves) but they got out a few months ago and one was hit by a car.

Older DD mentioned maybe she could come home (she goes to college 5 hours away and lives there in the summer), but I know she wouldn't be able to come that often and for those length of times. We don't have any family close by that would work either.

I have looked into boarding him, there are 2 places in town that are like a doggy day-care where they do more than just feed and walk them. We have to do a quick overnight trip in April, so I was planning to use one of them to see how he likes it.

Anyways, sorry this is so long... for those that stuck with me to the end that have pets, what do you do with your pets when you travel? Is there another option I haven't thought of? I know this seems petty and small in all that is going on in the world, I just want to make sure he is OK while we are gone. (I've even thought about taking him along, but then we would be looking for daily care as we do things on the trip)

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I know what you're going through!!!

We have 3 dogs, 1 cat and 4 ferrets.. so we haven't gone on many vacations at all!

When we did go to WDW we made sure our trip coincided with a visit from the in-laws and they stayed here with the animals while we were gone.

Our last trip they came with us, so we had to find someone to watch our animals for us.

After months of worry and fretting over what we were going to do with the dogs I ended up asking a family down the block who walk their dogs everyday. I figured if they took care of their dogs so well I am sure they would take care of ours too. The son was GREAT! Our dogs and cat made it fine and you could tell they spent time with them because they were telling us about all their little nuances.... the little dog pulls the hair out of the sheepdog, the older dog barks when they're playing, etc.

See if there is a neighborhood family who you think you could trust with watching Dash... and good luck!!

 

[horseshowmom]

I've traveled with pets quite a bit and had no problems, but it depends on the pet. Mine were fine with being left on their own during the day while I was in meetings. In fact, I had a Chihuahua (she died suddenly a couple of years ago) who would put herself to bed in her Sherpa carrier and nap until I returned. But you do have to deal with taking them out (downtown hotels aren't very easy for that aspect) and finding places that permit pets.

 

[SleepyMom]

One thing more I want to add... We did think about this before getting him, the amount of time we spend away from home. Other than trips to visit family (he can go with on those trips) our bigger trips have been basically one a year or so, or split up so there is someone still at home (like when DD and I went to WDW together, DH was home and when DH travels each year with friends to tournaments, I am home). We thought it would be OK to board him once a year or so, we just never imagined an opportunity to take 3 long trips in one summer.

 

[damo]

We always have my parents dog sit. However, they are not available from Dec-April, so our vacations are limited.

Maybe you can compromise and have your daughter come home for one trip and have friends take the dog for another trip and bring the dog with your for the last one.

 

[JVL1018]

The first time we boarded her, which was fine, but I felt bad..the second and third times we had friends watch her--just come over and let her out and feed her.
My friend told me she has a woman who has a business, $10 a day(half the price of boarding our dog) and she'll come and let the dog out(or walk her) and feed her, play with her a bit, so we are doing this next time.

 

[Magickndm]

Life changes when you have a pet. We go away for weekends once in a while and either board our grey or my parents watch him. If something does come up and we can't find a place for our dog, we don't go.
I know it can be a bummer, but they're a lot like kids....a lot of responsibility.

 

[SC Minnie]

Thanks for reminding me to call and reserve a spot for our kitten for spring break.

DH brought home a kitten in October. He knew I wanted another cat but it was not the right time. We had a trip planned for Oct, Nov, 13 days in Dec, as well as spring break, and a week in June.

Our vet boards cats and she has done OK there. There is nothing else we can do.

 

[SleepyMom]

The trouble with Dash is that he is a bit on the hyper side (he's a Jack Russell) so he needs to be watched pretty much at all times. He's getting better, but I still call the stage he is in right now his toddler stage. In other words, if I can't see him and it's quiet, he's looking for trouble

Someone did give us the name of a lady who comes over and spends time with your dog, feeds them and walks them as well as play time. But I would never trust him to be left alone in the house, I still put him in his crate whenever I leave the house. Thankfully I am a SAHM so that doesn't happen often.

I just never thought it would be so hard to leave him.

 

[Crankyshank]

Oh poor you I know how hard it is to leave the pets behind when you travel - that's one of the reasons why DH and I never used to.
You've got some time to do research fortunately. I would research the dog sitter option and maybe go away for the weekend see how Dash does with that? Do you know anyone you trust to housesit/doggysit for you?

We're lucky that we have a friend that has named herself our permanent dog sitter (we feed her well ) but we're hesitant to ask her to sit for us for 2 weeks next summer when we go away. I'm considering asking my sister or my younger cousin to do a week and also have our friend do a week.

 

[horseshowmom]

One thing more I want to add... We did think about this before getting him, the amount of time we spend away from home. Other than trips to visit family (he can go with on those trips) our bigger trips have been basically one a year or so, or split up so there is someone still at home (like when DD and I went to WDW together, DH was home and when DH travels each year with friends to tournaments, I am home). We thought it would be OK to board him once a year or so, we just never imagined an opportunity to take 3 long trips in one summer.

I really know where you're coming from. We have horses (and very few hotels accept 1200 lb. equines! ). We mainly have to do what you've done - swap out. We actually got to go on a family vacation last June, because DD's boyfriend (also into horses - team roper) took care of them and kept her show horse at his house. They broke up last month, so we're back to scratching our heads over how to leave town!

damo's idea sounds like the best one. I'd probably try that. Good luck!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Consider a pet sitter. We have been doing this since a neighbor gave me a phone # for one 3 years ago. My baby gets to stay home and be comfortable with his own surroundings. She comes three times a day and spends 1/2 hour to 45 min each visit.

I feel guilty also when we have to go away but this has proven the best situation for us.

The mail and paper gets taken in, plants watered and most important of all, our baby is loved and well taken care of!


If you dont know any you could ask your vet or local groomer to recommend someone. The woman we use is licensed and bonded and has a clientele of over 50 babies!

 

[Maryr1]

I always have someone stay in the house with my pets. That way, my house is safe and sound, my wonderful dogs sleep in there own beds and I have a more relaxed vacation knowing things are being looked afer! I also give my vet the heads up that I will be away and we do a quick review of any potential problems either of the dogs are having. My dog sitter charges $25/day plus food and I always leave a few extra treats for her too!

 

[lovetheparks]

We have someone come stay at our house. We have two dogs so it's a bit of an imposition to have them stay at someone else's place.

That said, we don't travel very often.

 

[luvwinnie]

I won't be much help: We bought an RV so our Winnie could go everywhere with us!

I think in your case though I'd go with the doggy "inn" type of place.

 

[DVCLiz]

I, too, unexpectedly have the opportunity to travel more than usual this summer - a five day trip to NYC, a five day trip to HH (thanks, DVC!) and possibly a trip to England with my older daughter while my younger daughter is at camp. I'll board our three pets (one dog and two cats) at the vet while I'm gone. I don't want anyone coming in my house while I'm gone - the cats could easily get out, and the dog wouldn't be happy at home alone for a week. I like to leave town knowing my house is locked up tight and no one is coming in or out. And traveling with pets is not and never will be a choice for me.

I know I have a minority opinion from the other posters on this thread, but although I love my pets dearly and take good care of them, there's no way I'm missing a vacation because of them. Knowing they are boarded in an animal health care facility, with trained staff and loving helpers, makes me feel as though I have made a good decision for their care.

And I'd never leave a family member at home - can't even fathom this!!!!!

 

[mickeysgal]

I don't want anyone coming in my house while I'm gone - the cats could easily get out, and the dog wouldn't be happy at home alone for a week. I like to leave town knowing my house is locked up tight and no one is coming in or out. And traveling with pets is not and never will be a choice for me.

I know I have a minority opinion from the other posters on this thread, but although I love my pets dearly and take good care of them, there's no way I'm missing a vacation because of them. Knowing they are boarded in an animal health care facility, with trained staff and loving helpers, makes me feel as though I have made a good decision for their care.

We have dogs - they are family members to us - however, I also would never pass up the chance to travel. We live in a rural town and the boarding place we use is clean, but really run down. It doesn't look like much - its a converted old house. She has a fenced yard that the dogs run around in. When I first saw it, I cringed. It wasn't the pristine animal hospital boarding facility I was used to in our other town. However, that said, my dogs simply L O V E it! They can't wait to get out of the car...they get a chance to bark to their hearts content, they get to run around the yard, and based on the position of their kennel (we always get the same one since we board them all together), they see everything thats going on. We never worry about them. So...give boarding a try...you may feel guilty at first, but your dogs may view it as "doggie camp".

 

[caitycaity]

our dog was a "special needs" kind of dog too. we always boarded him at the vet because we knew they would take good care of him and then he would be right there in case he needed some kind of medical attention.

 

[SleepyMom]

We talked with our vet, they also do boarding there, but I don't want to leave him there. They only take the dogs outside twice a day (7am & 5pm), otherwise he would just be sitting in the kennel all the time. I know that would be too hard for him, we take him outside on a regular schedule and I would hate to have him start having accidents again.

The place we took him for puppy classes also does boarding, I had forgot about them. I am going to call and see how they do things there.

Someone did give us a name for a pet sitter, but I hesitate for 2 reasons on that one. He would likely have to be in his crate while they weren't here and I wouldn't want him locked up so long each day (plus he's a little overprotective of his house, don't know how he'd feel having someone come in each day) and the other reason is I have a problem with strangers being in my house while I am not here (stems from an incident years ago). I don't like the feeling and also I would worry a door was left unlocked or something.

I am leaning towards the doggy day-care place, but want to check it out a few times before making a final decision. And for the leaving a family member home, that wouldn't be my choice either. DD has moved out and doesn't travel with us anymore (we've asked each time), I would rather she go along but that is her choice now.

 

[SleepyMom]

our dog was a "special needs" kind of dog too.

If you don't mind, I think I am going to use that line. Too cute and very fitting!