Need advice about going on vacation and leaving my baby!

[boxerma]

Ok everyone, any inputs you can provide I would appreciate greatly! Bingo is about 3 1/2 years old and we have never gone on vacation since we've gotten him. He has either gone with us or we have stayed home. We've left him maybe 3 times and it was with my dad who stayed at our house and only for at the most 2 days. He is the only one I truly trust with Bing, but he can't watch him anymore for other reasons.

So, my question is about a trip my hubby and I have scheduled. I looked again at a million kennels, touring them and never finding exactly what I would be comfortable leaving Bingo at. Coming up we are thinking of going to a concert out of state that would entail us being gone for a period of just over 24 hours. I thought I had come up with a solution by asking a friend who has three dogs that Bingo loves and gets along with but have since worried myself sick over the fact that something may happen to him because since then a couple things have happened. She has a barely 4 foot tall chain link fence that her dog just recently jumped and she and I spent a day looking for her (a sign from above I thought), and also there is a dog in a neighboring yard that jumps his fence and into her yard, he is boy like Bingo and he doesn't like Bingo through the fence and I think would pick a fight with him if he got over with Bingo there. My friend wouldn't be able to help because her dogs all put together aren't as strong as Bingo.

So, now I have myself worried into a tizzy! I can't sleep and although we've already purchased tickets, I am thinking of not going. I'm not so worried about him jumping the fence as I am him getting out the gate which she doesn't keep locked. He also shakes more with his collar on and I"m worried she may take it off as she was surprised at all of the boxer slobber flopping around!!!!! Also about this other dog and a possible fight happening and no one able to help Bing. I just don't think I can even think of leaving him there. I thought it would be ok, but now I'm having second thoughts. Seems there are so many risks. I know nothing is safer than being home with us, but I just don't know what to do. My Aunt suggested finding a clean kennel and I know he's safe and confined. What do I do? I haven't found a kennel I like yet and have heard so many horror stories. Also, I've looked into a possibility of someone coming to let him out but don't want to ask that because I know it's an imposition on most people. Any advice? Sorry so long.

 

[Austin's Mom]

I recently posted about leaving Austin for 4 days to visit family in Florida. I feel the same way you do! Although I would never leave him in a kennel (that's just me..) Have you checked out any doggie spas or hotels? If I didn't have my father-in-law to come here and stay with him I just wouldn't go. Bought tickets or not. I just wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy myself worrying about him. (I'm gonna worry anyway, just not as much) Please do what feels right for you and Bingo.

 

[VTbxrFan]

This is always a tough and everyone has different opinions. Are there any kennels in your area you haven't looked at yet? I found one in my area that I really like -- they have wonderful facilities and employees and you can get extra play times and walks (for a fee, of course). I had to leave my baby and he came home looking healthy and content (but very excited to see me, of course). He was there with his "cousin" (my sister's boxer) and all of the staff loved them. The two dogs look so much a like that a lot people got confused and thought the dogs were littermates!

I've always been afraid of just having someone come over a few times because I'm afraid he might get lonely, or that if something happens, it would be long time before someone notices. A good, quality kennel will always have people around who will recognize a problem that requires medical attention. If you know someone responsible who can stay at your home, that would also be a great option. Then your dog gets to stay in a comfortable environment and still have attention.

 

[BoxerBombs]

I always leave mine at a local rescue. I pay them the same as the local kennels charge. But I've found my boys don't do well in kennels. At a rescue, I know they are going to a loving environment. The downside: Sometimes rescue is not always available to take a dog, especially for extended periods of time. You can try another breed rescue if you are comfortable with that idea.

 

[boxerma]

You're right, it is a tough one! I have looked at the kennels in my area that claim to be the "spa or resort" type. Some are and some aren't. Still, they aren't all the way there yet. They still aren't a great place to stay. And when my dad stayed with Bing, I didn't worry, I just missed him terribly but knew he was having fun, which is how I thought this would be until all these "signs" started happening! I agree, it's a hard decision because he means so much to me and even driving around to try and find my friends dog, I just thought that was so awful. People tell me to find a way so we can go do things, but I am happier than if I left to go do something being with him!! I think the idea about someone staying at home is the best but all our friends are far away or have families they wouldn't want to leave to be with a dog!!! I was thinking about asking and paying the young girl next door but we just moved here and I don't know her all that well yet and again, don't know if it would be an imposition. Also, now I'm faced with telling my friend and I can't tell her that I don't trust her. How will I tell her that she'll understand but not be offended? I was thinking of looking at some of the regular vet boarding facilities because maybe they are actually better. Just not sure! Not to mention all the so called pet "resorts" don't have someone there overnight and the last time they go out is around 7 at night until like 9 in the morning! I can't hold it that long myself! jesh!

 

[joanna]

Its a hard decision.


I think one thing you have to remember is that you will only be gone for 1 day, and the safer thing may be that he is in a kennel with supervision that your friend is unable to provide. I would start with your vet, and see if they board, maybe the breeder where Bingo came from or even look in the yellow pages for someone to come in and stay for 24 hours.

We went on a trip to Wisc last april and Maggie stayed with my Brother-in-law and family. She seemed to have a good time. It was a week so I didn't feel comfortable with leaving her at a kennel for that long of a time. With good intentions they left her harness on all week in case she fell into their pool(she had done previously) so she came home with sores from where it rubbed her skin.

When we were going away for a long weekend to the west coast of Fl. I was going to put her in a kennel for the weekend, but when they told me I could not pick her up on Sunday, I decided to take her along. I think it probably would have been less stressful for her to stay in a kennel. She has this whole issue about not pottying anywhere but her yard.

Long story short, sometimes whats best for our dogs doesn't feel good to us.

 

[Austin's Mom]

I wish I lived closer to you--I would take Bingo for you in a heartbeat! Big Boxer ((((HUGGIE)))) from Austin!

 

[BoxerFun]

I TOTALLY understand your concerns although I don't really have any suggestions. Other than how is he when left alone?? He could go and stay in the motel while you are at the concert! :D
I was gone for almost a week and the bf was here with the boxer boys and I was a mess...worried about them and the bird the whole time...not much of a vacation worrying! I had Maddie our JRT with me..she is the easy one! Of course they were fine, but I still worry and don't really trust anyone with them because I worry they are going to get out. 1st Boxer was hit and don't want to go through that again!

Hope you get this all figured out so you canenjoy your concert too!

Where are you located by the way?

 

[boxerma]

Well thanks everyone for the nice thoughts! At least I know I'm not alone in being such a worry wort about leaving him at some strange place! He is actually very good alone as he's pretty laid back. I think he'd do fine in a hotel, but I don't trust leaving him in a room that someone else has the key to! I know I seem to be putting obstacles in front of everything I do!!! But like you all have said, it's just not the greatest decision. I too agree that a kennel may be a better place as far as supervision and safety and I'm trying to get over my fear and do what's best for him. I think he'd have a great time at my friends and the socialization would be wonderful for him because she has three dogs, but there are just too many risks to that and I couldn't enjoy being away.

And thanks Chris for the nice thought! I wish so too! Ijust can't seem to decide and I know I have to do something as he's only 3 and there are things we'll have to do and I'll be forced into finding something for him. I just can't get myself to leave him at the kennel or at my friends. I suppose I'll just procrastinate until forever on this!!!

 

[Peggy G]

Just wanted to say that we are leaving Scarlet for the first time also. We leave in 2 weeks for 10 days. At first someone from Boxerworld (Robyn) was going to take Scarlet but then she got another Boxer (2boxers & 1beagle now) and that would have been too much to ask of anyone. Then someone else from Boxerworld (Aimee) recommended her Kennel. We went for a visit and I feel very comfortable about the kennel itself (its not "kennel like" at all). The thing that Im upset about is leaving Scarlet and her thinking we will never be back. That is really pulling at my heart strings. I will be calling the kennel often to check on her and Aimee lovicon has offered to pick her up if anything bad happens (which I dont anticipate-but what a good feeling to know this).

Good luck, I know what you're feeling.