Sorry I haven't been around much lately. The company I work for is a supplier to commercial, business and regional jets/planes. So, we are having quite a bumpy ride with the economy the way that is it. We lost 8 in my department alone to layoffs and our raises were cancelled this year. Hubby works for same company, different department, so this was a double-whammy for us. Still, I'm the lone Administrative Assistant for over 100 engineers.
Anyway, for those new to the board, we are owned by a mini longhair by the name of Ozzy, a 6-pound, black with red tint dynamo.
Last weekend we traveled to hubby's cousin (a 4-hour drive) for cousin's son's college graduation. We stayed in a hotel, due to other family members staying at cousin's house. While the hotel welcomed dogs, it was still quite a hassle taking Ozzy out to "potty." The weekend flew by and I did not feel like I had any time to take a breath, as I ended up being the primary caretaker of Ozzy while hubby and daughter "did their own thing."
OK, so we are planning to visit father-in-law, who lives in the southwest U.S. I mentioned to hubby's cousin and wife that I was thinking about boarding Ozzy while we are on vacation, so I could actually have a vacation myself, and they volunteered to take care of Ozzy for us. We will be spending a night on the way out and back at cousin's house anyway. Ozzy loves cousin and family, and has a ball playing with their dog, a Havanese named Boomer. So, I'm not to worried about him staying with them for a couple of weeks.
The problem is that Ozzy spazzes out when we start loading the car with our suitcases and such. In fact, Ozzy if the first thing we load into the car, kennel and all, so we don't have to deal with the spazz. He does not like being left behind, whether it's a trip across the U.S., or a trip to the corner grocery store. It's going to be rough when we leave him behind, so I'm wondering if this would be a good time to use some sort of calming medication for a day or two after we leave to help Ozzy out?
I'm also feeling a little guilty for wanting to have some time to relax and enjoy our visit with FIL. FIL lives out in the country where it is desert and sagebrush (i.e., scorpions, trantulas, and snakes). Am I being selfish? If I boarded him at the only kennel I would consider boarding him, it would cost us hundreds of dollars, so we are getting a good deal, plus he knows cousin and family. Still, I feel guilty.
Opinions?
That is a hard decision!!! We have the same discussion everytime my mom and dad need to leave Bandit behind. He freaks out!!! I'm sure if you left him with your cousin he will be just fine. Bandit always does great when we leave him with someone he knows. I don't think you are wrong for wanting a weekend to relax. My vote is have him stay with your cousin (he'll probably have more fun there anyway). I hope this helped you feel better about leaving him.
It's good to see you back here, how is Ozzie doing? You sound busy!! I'm glad you and your husband still have a job...I know it is very scary in this economy. Hoping both of your jobs are secure and we can all ride out this bumpy road!
If you really trust your cousin I'd leave Ozzie with them. I think boarding at a kennel is pretty traumatic for the majority of house dogs who are used to the good life (plus I have heard too many horror stories...for instance a few years ago some friends of mine were boarding their two longhairs and somehow a rottweiler got out and killed them both! I know of someone else whose rat terrier slipped through a spot in the fence and was gone for 2 days, they did get her back) I have a couple of friends locally who have boarding kennels and it breaks my heart to see the little dogs in there, they look miserable, some won't eat and the barking gets to me after a few minutes I can imagine having to live with that for days...I would also not board at a vet, it would probably be safer than a kennel but they would be exposed to a lot of diseases and scary smells and sounds of sick animals there.
So I'd go for the cousin! Sounds like he would have a good time there and be well looked after and you will be able to enjoy your vacation more knowing he is OK. Let us know what you decide and how it goes and have a good trip!
Here's my :2cents: :
As much as I love to anthropomorphize the puppers, I say, "Leave 'em!"
If your pupper(s) get depressed and refuse to eat or drink, then you have a problem. But the idea of a dachshund ignoring food is a REALLY FOREIGN CONCEPT!!!
Make sure your puppersitters know that if that happens, they should call you and you should cut short your trip, if possible.
otherwise,
HAVE FUN!!
Auntie Karen
Auntie Karen, that reminds me of my friend with two goldens who boarded them while they went to Hawaii. The kennel owner called to tell her her boy (3 yrs old) had been coughing so when the vet checked him they found a heart murmer...she FREAKED and flew home immediately to find the dog not coughing and went to a specialist who could find nothing amiss with his heart. I say the dawg planned it that way hee! Her whole family was in Hawaii (and of course the majority didn't understand her flying home for a dogs sake) and her hubby still there also so when they took the family photo over there, hubby stood on the side of the group with his arm around "thin air"...then I took pics of my friend in my yard and photoshopped her in under her hubbies arm.
Ah technology! You never have to leave your house to go on an exotic vacation!
Oh and we boarded my Dad's little Jody for 2 days once...she didn't eat a thing while we were gone and she was the usual "bottomless pit" doxie. They got her home and she was ravenous for days! After that she either went with or had a house sitter.
(I hope we aren't freaking you out more MindyKay LOL I'm sure Ozzie will be GREAT with your cousin)
Honestly I'd leave Ozzie with Cousin. Especially since it won't be a strange place/person and there will be a known playmate for him to play with. The SPAZZ part of things I wouldn't be too concerned about since it will be someone familiar with him and his habits. Once you are gone, he will probably settle down fairly quickly. CAjsa and Gretchen go nuts if they see us packing suitcases or carrying things to the car for a trip and they don't care if it's to go home or somewhere else. However if we pack up the car to come home from ILs then leave for something without taking them they are fine. They watch for the car a few minutes (like an hour or so) but then they settle down. That is not the case if they are left in a strange place though so I do think it makes a difference. Go and enjoy yourself at the IL's without guilt!
I think it is awesome that you have someone to take care of him !!! Everyone deserves a vaca - so don't beat yourself up over that.
Have you tried Rescue Remedy? You might want to get some now and "practice" - when you go out to run errands - see how well it helps him. There are also other calmers that you can even get at Petsmart. Or talk to your vet. If he is able to calm down some - I am sure it will make YOU feel much better !!!
In case he does not eat you can always call and talk to him on the phone my Grandpa use to do that when he had to go to the hospital then Bobby the dog would eat??? I would impress upon the cousin make sure he does not sneak out to try and look for you. Sleep in a T-shirt for a couple of days before you drop him off at the cousin's then let your dog sleep on it while you are gone.Boomer should be a good enough play mate to keep them both tired enough to sleep more. My hubby was adored by Gizmo our old Papillon he went to Turkey he was gone for about 3-4 months. She Gizmo did not seem to miss him ate well was sure happy to see him when he came home.They say dogs live in the now not the past or worry about the future.Papbouv