We can never go on a long vacation again!

[Valerie]

We just got back from a week long trip to visit family in the midwest.  We were gone from Sat- to Sat and we boarded Cookie at the Petsmart Pets Hotel.  I am sure she was treated fine, but I think being away from home for a week was too much for her.  She was so happy to see us, yet so nervous.  She couldn't calm down at home for a few hours.  She looked so upset when we picked her up.  SHe barked in the car the whole way home, it was like she was yelling at us for leaving her alone for a whole week.   I think for her being a rescue, we think she thought she we were abandoning her. (She had a home plus to foster homes before we adopted her, so we worry about her feeling abandoned again)   She has boarded there before but for only 3-4 days at a time.  I think 7 days was way too long for her.  She has been so clingy ever since we got home.  She even got upset when I left for the grocery store.

She is very much into her routine, and no boarding place can provide the same level of spoiling that she gets here.    Last night, she was so excited to be with me in the kitchen cooking dinner and sitting on the sofa with us watching TV.  I think she missed all that!
And of course, I know she is working the L@@K on us- she got to sleep in the bed with us last night.  She is not much of a snuggly affectionate dog, but yesterday, she kissed and licked me more times than she typically does in a whole week. 

Its so hard to explain this to non-doxie people, but I really don't think we can go on long trips anymore.  Her little face and those sad eyes make me never want to leave her for more than a couple of days again.

[Doxherding Karen]

"Sounds to us puppers like it's time for dat girl to pack her bags an' get along, little doggie!"

Seriously, more and more places are becoming pet-friendly.   You can think about taking her along.  It involves planning on your part, but it can be done.  It's kind of like traveling with children - but aren't our puppers OUR children??

Good luck,

Karen

P.S. And ignore the fact that I'm going camping for eight days with four dachshunds by myself.  I certifiable, but that doesn't mean I might not make sense. :crazyeyes:

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Ohhh how heartbreaking. I agree, it is too hard on them to be boarded.  I guess it's the same to some of them as if we were put into jail for a few days while they went on a doggie vacation. 

Is having someone stay at your house an option for next time if you can't take her with you? I have it easier than most since I work at home and it's just Hallie and me, but I just go places now I know she is welcomed and can come along. Otherwise we don't go. (but I know that isn't as much of an option when you have a family to consider).

Cookie sez what will get her over it really fast is daily rations of liver bars!  :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[Roberta]

We have always had someone stay with them in the house, its now Nannie. Aunty Fiona who pet sat for about ten years for us we used to leave their routine written, plus some of their little habits. It keeps their routine going and the house is occupied. The last time my mum aka nannie stayed they had a ball as she usually forgot to put her glasses on when getting the kibble so they were a bit heavier when we got home.
We also take them when we can.
roberta

[cheryl186]

I know I can relate to how you are feeling.  My husband and I feel that we can not go on long trips anymore either.  Since Zoe's back surgery one year ago...frankly, I just don't trust anyone to watch them anymore.... 
I am worried that Zoe may injure herself again, etc.  If we do go anywhere, it is usually for a week-end or so (4 days at the most).  We have to board them (and it does break my heart) as my husband's parents have both passed as well as my dad.  My mom is elderly and I can not expect her to come over here even tho we are only a few blocks away (I am worried she will fall over them or my aussie will knock her over) My nieces and nephews live in Indiana and they have their own pups to worry about or they have infants.  My sister also has three poodles of her own. 

I am sure Cookie will be back to her old self faster than you can say....treat!!!

[Valerie]

Thanks everyone!
I really wish we knew someone to house sit to take care of her.  We live in CA, and our families are in KS and TN, so we always have to fly to see them and no one is left behind with Cookie. :(

I would love to take Cookie with us on shorter vacations though- we just don't seem to have any that don't involve flying though.

Cookie finally started getting back to her old self yesterday.  Its nice to see her getting back to her antics and her stubborn ways.  Who would've thought that we prefer crazy Cookie over sweet docile Cookie?  :idiot:

[Barb]

We have not been on a vacation since we got Rudy 7 yrs ago !!!  I can't stand the thought of leaving them for that long !!!  I have had to be out of town for business, but dad was there.   The only time we were both gone was for a long week end and I have a friend who came and stayed at the house with the kids.   I also found a great organization to walk the kids if I am at a long day at work and dad is gone.  They also do overnight sitting - but I haven't tried that yet.  I am just a homebody and when I have time off from work - I like to piddle around the house and hang out with the kids.  Maybe you could start now trying to find a sitting service that you feel comfortable with to come stay at your house when you go out of town again?   Glad Cookie is getting back to herself - she just needs the reassurance that you are back to stay !!!! 

[Teresa]

A lot of the times the vets will know of a good pet sitting service. Sometimes the petsitters are vet techs who do this to make extra money. Word of mouth is always the best reference, so if you have friends or co-workers with pets that may have used a service, ask them. We have several good ones around here, mostly individuals, and if we leave Molly and Schatzi for more then 4 or 5 days, that is what we will do.

[amiowa]

It's like leaving your children behind--- only worse.  MUCH worse.

When Pootsie had to go in to be spayed I was a mess...  I got there to get her at the earliest possible time... I was angry when I saw that the bottle of water I had taken for her had not been used despite my instructions to do so. 

I don't think it was a bit odd to have taken special water for her!  We only give the dogs reverse osmosis water and not tap water.....

We are planning a trip in October and I am already starting to fret about the dogs.

How are we supposed to feel comfortable leaving members of the family with virtual strangers?

[Doxherding Karen]

O.K., I grew up in Santa Monica, California, the official center of the Universe for Fruits and Nuts.  So I'm going to stick my neck out and ask:

What the heck is reverse osmosis water?  Is that something from the great Midwestern Aquifer?   Like the water gets sucked out of the Earth?  But isn't that called well water?  What do you call water that's been allowed to seep into the Earth - ground water?

I'm confused - wait, maybe I'm not!

Karen :crazyeyes:

[amiowa]

Our local water is really hard... reverse osmosis is a system that treats it and makes it better to drink.

It's a unit that stores under the sink and has filters....