doggie sitter??

FansofDixie · January 20, 2008, 01:53:29 PM

Our Dixie is such a part of our family, we never leave her home when we travel. We have been lucky enough to be able to take her with us. This Spring we will be taking a cruise and need to leave her behind. Our plan was to leave her with our son. His dog and Dixie are "playmates" but it seems he has to go out of town at the same time.
We hate the thought of leaving her in a kennel. She does not really like to be held by strangers and she sleeps in our bed every night. The thought of her in a cage breaks our hearts (and we are worried about her spirit).
We would love to fine someone who "knows" doxies and can keep her at in their home.

Has anyone ever had such a situation?

We are not going until March - but we want to find someone soon.

Dixie's mom

Doxherding Karen · January 20, 2008, 03:33:14 PM

Where are you leaving from?

Where do you live?

I can doxie sit here in Baltimore during March if it helps. The Herd is a rambunctious group, but friendly!

Karen

Barb · January 20, 2008, 04:33:18 PM

Thats great that you are planning ahead. I have been lucky in the past in that hu-dad was here to be with them if I had to go out of town. Now that situation has changed - so if I have any business trips, I will be worrying about the same thing. I have a dog walker that I trust and has been coming this month since I am so busy at work. But I have never had to hire an overnight sitter. I am hoping if the time comes, I might be able to find a friend to come stay at my house. That would be my preference.

Check with your vets office - a lot of times they have employees who do overnight sitting - or they may be able to recommend a good service. Try them out and meet them before you actually have to use them in March.

Let us know what you decide !

FansofDixie · January 21, 2008, 05:07:36 PM

That is so generous of you. If you are serious maybe we can talk more about it.

Thanks

Dianne · January 26, 2008, 08:48:41 AM

Hey, Could we set-up a doxie setting "ring" or "list"?

I've been puzzling over the same issue. Dad usually comes to our house to stay wtih the doxie duo. This year is his 80th birthday and we want to take him somewhere special. I don't want to take them to a kennel!

I would be happy to trade visits for others in the Baltimore, MD to Wilmington, DE general area. I'm just off I-95 at North East, MD.

My 2 are well-behaved (for dachshunds) and love having guests or being guests!

regards,

Dianne

Barb · January 26, 2008, 08:56:13 AM

Quote from: Dianne on January 26, 2008, 08:48:41 AM
Hey, Could we set-up a doxie setting "ring" or "list"?

I think that is an excellent idea !!!! Maybe we could have a special static thread where people could post that they are open for guests! I would only post city and state for confidentiality purposes - and then details can be worked out by PM's.

Teresa · January 26, 2008, 10:11:50 AM

Looks like Dixie may be in luck!! I think the idea is a great one.

FansofDixie · January 26, 2008, 10:58:19 PM

I think a list of willing "doxie sitters" is a great idea. any suggestions on where to start?

Doxherding Karen · January 27, 2008, 08:16:53 AM

Maybe start a "top-of the list" thingie like The Penny cam thingie and put it on the top of the Off Topic thread thingie.

Auntie Karen Thingie

poochadoo · January 27, 2008, 08:45:02 AM

That is a brilliant idea! We should have a "doxie phone/web chain" so that we could be assured that sitters are people who really KNOW doxies and put up with their weird idiocincracies. Two years ago, we went away for a weekend and put Schatzie in the kennel. A very good kennel, mind you, but she came home so angry and sad and dehydrated. Despite lots of love and playtime, she refused to eat, didn't want her ball and just was miserable. I haven't been able to leave her since. If I knew her sitter understood her unique needs, it would be easier. To watch another Doxie would be wonderful. Count me in!

Marcia from MI · January 27, 2008, 09:20:07 AM

Eddie here,

Count me in. I wouldn't mind a temporary sibling to keep me company. It would be fun.

Doxherding Karen · January 27, 2008, 03:32:43 PM

Si if you're available for doxie sitting, maybe Kari or Drew can put a category thingie on our profile we could check off. Then if we at least put our city and state on the profile, other doxie hoomans can check the map, find people, check their profiles to see if they are sitter-available, then send an e-mail to check on dates needed, available, et.

PattyInAK · January 27, 2008, 04:45:08 PM

Anyone want to come up to Alaska and dog/house sit for us when we go to Hawaii??? We are going in February in 2011, so there will be a lot of cold and snow here. But Willy and Alex are paper-trained so you wouldn't even have to take them outside. Of course, you'd have to feed the horses, which does require going outside, but a visit with them is so rewarding, I'm sure you wouldn't mind a little cold and snow. We'll have the woodstove all ready to lit, and a supply of firewood in the garage.

Kari · January 27, 2008, 07:30:46 PM

Quote from: Doxherding Karen on January 27, 2008, 03:32:43 PM
Si if you're available for doxie sitting, maybe Kari or Drew can put a category thingie on our profile we could check off. Then if we at least put our city and state on the profile, other doxie hoomans can check the map, find people, check their profiles to see if they are sitter-available, then send an e-mail to check on dates needed, available, et.

I'll check with Drew on this...It will take some time but is probably possible. I'll let you know...

drew · January 27, 2008, 10:42:00 PM

Quote from: Doxherding Karen on January 27, 2008, 03:32:43 PM
Si if you're available for doxie sitting, maybe Kari or Drew can put a category thingie on our profile we could check off. Then if we at least put our city and state on the profile, other doxie hoomans can check the map, find people, check their profiles to see if they are sitter-available, then send an e-mail to check on dates needed, available, et.

That is doable, but does require some minor back end database additions. I can incorporate this after I get back from my current business trip. (I'm in Philly right now.) In the meantime, we can set up a sticky.

PattyInAK · January 29, 2008, 09:36:25 AM

Nobody appreciated my joke about coming to Alaska to dog-sit.

poochadoo · January 29, 2008, 11:22:15 AM

Oh, I appreciated the joke, but I'm still trying to coax Schatzie out of the kennel - she took a look at your posting, screamed "Awaska?!" and I haven't seen her since. Can't understand it. Maybe when your bum is only a quarter inch higher than the snow line, your perspective on such things is different.

Roberta · January 29, 2008, 11:51:38 AM

Patty maybe we could do a house switch. But its a great idea.
Roberta

cheryl186 · January 29, 2008, 11:58:41 AM

Patty, I did appreciate your post about Alaska but I mentioned it to Zoe and Winston and hubby and they all took off running!!!

PattyInAK · January 29, 2008, 12:40:16 PM

Quote from: Roberta on January 29, 2008, 11:51:38 AM
Patty maybe we could do a house switch. But its a great idea.
Roberta

Roberta, you got me thinking.........since your seasons are the reverse of ours, we should consider a home switch every six months, or at least for the months of January and Februay. I like being in the snow for the Christmas holidays, but afterwards I really need a break from it. Hmmmmm..........how is the new house coming along???

poochadoo · January 29, 2008, 01:11:21 PM

That's it - we need a Doxie Rescue/Retirement Home in Bermuda. Imagine expanses of pink sand for those little paws to run across, fresh tropical breezes to ruffle up their coats and a frozen drink with a little umbrella in it for them to gaze at adoringly as we don't allow them to have it. I'm sitting in the frozen tundra of New England, you're up there in Alaska, other members are posting photos of winter wind-swept arctic scenes and snow piles as high as a house. Bermuda with lots of doxies sounds just like what we need. We could all come to my place for Christmas, enjoy the snow for, oh, a day or so, then fly back to the Bermuda Refuge. Dare to dream...

PattyInAK · January 29, 2008, 01:37:15 PM

For us Alaskans, our winter retreat is Hawaii. Its only a 5.5 hour flight away. Bermuda sounds just as nice, though. I'll take a Mai Tai, please.

Doxherding Karen · January 29, 2008, 04:14:35 PM

The real question about Bermuda is - what's it like in the summer?

Right now commercials are touting the glories of Puerto Rico, where we were stationed for three years. It's nice in the winter to escape the cold, but it is unbearably humid and hot from April to September. They have little electric heaters hard wired in the bottoms of closets to dry out your shoes so they don't mildew.

No thanks!!

Karen