going on holiday

[homerbart]

Hi - I will be going on holiday come May. I have 3 options what to do with my pampered dog.

1. Leave him with a dog minder who gave off to me last year because the dog didn't eat the food I left. I usually put a little chicken in it for him but did not like to say to her as she has 3 dogs of her own.

2. Put him in the kennels - good one. That is where I got him and I am afraid of him getting depressed thinking I have left him there for good.

3. Leave him in the yard most of the day with my cousin coming in at lunch-time and my niece dealing with him when she comes in at 6.00pm.

Dont know what to do - - thanks for any answers.

[wolf63]

Number two.

If the dog sitter was no good last year she will be no good this year. Third option could work, but I think that you would come home to a depressed dog.

I have two spoiled fleabag moggies and they are going to the cattery this year for the first time. The cattery is really good and the woman obviously cares for the residents.

Look around and you will find a kennel that is suitable for your little prince. Ask friends where they leave their pride and joy.

I know that it is harsh, and that I am cruel, but he is a dog and will not see you putting him in the kennel as an act of abandonment. This is great coming from me - I sent my late dog a postcard when he was in kennels.

:-)

[lankeela]

Kennels - he will be safe and secure with professsionals looking after him. He will have company of other dogs, and be free to bark, poo and wee to his heart's content, and might even get played with if the staff have time. He will be well fed (if he chooses to eat) and you will be able to come back knowing he has had a whale of a time.

[fredpuli47]

Kennels. No question. Make sure that his vaccinations are up to date ( including the one for kennel cough:it's easy to forget that one, yet kennels usually refuse dogs without it )

Don't worry about him being unhappy. To my great embarrassment (LOL) my wolfhounds enjoyed being in kennel so much that they'd rush to the door when they heard the kennel van coming up the drive, and then barge the driver out of the way in their hurry to jump in the back of it ! They patently regarded their kennel stay as a holiday in itself.

[coco pops]

numbrer 2. If you are really worried about him thinking he is being left for ever how about putting him in for 1 day only in the next couple of weeks so he knows you will be back?

[lindapinda]

Hi Homerbart ! Did I see before that you are from N.I.? If so,I have friends that leave their (also very pampered "son") in kennels within distance of Bangor. He absolutely loves staying there,and,when the car stops at the place,he goes mad trying to get to all the staff in there !..Like Coco said,they tried him out in the place initially,well before the actually holiday ;-)

[doglady]

Find a new dog sitter.

[rosiewesti]

We asked at our local vets, and luck would have it one of the vet nurses also house sits, she walked ours briefly in the mornings, went to work, left the radio one, came back at her lunch time, had her lunch and a play with them, then when she returned after she had finished work, she took them for a long walk and then spent the evening with them, before retiring to bed complete with 2 dogs and 1 cat!

I was really sad when she moved on, but through a friend I have found a 22 yr old girl who still lives at home, (her family have dogs-so she is used to them) and she enjoys coming here to a house all on her own.

Its great for us knowing the dogs, cats, fish and house are looked after and the dogs love her, its her 4th year housesitting for us.
Whatever you decide to do have a good holiday!