View Full Version : what to do with a dog
on the back of annes thread on takingdogs to florida, i struck me what does everyone else do with their pets?
we have a 5 year old german shepherd and she doesnt get on at all in the kennels. we have tried a couple and she always comes out traumatised, moody and covered in 'oooo[msnscared]. since the second time we either have karens mum come and stay or drive her from durham down to my parents in essex. its a bit of a clart on but she is one of the family, and probably needs the most attention. i remeber when she was younger ,the first time we went away she sulked for weeks and wouldnt play. we later found out that she had been left in her cage 24/7. not nice. i know everyone says it but she barks but wont bite . we have builders in at the moment and she is great with them. doesnt like the postman though, must be his cap!!
when we get our villa finished we planned to take out both parents. ?? i think we are going to have to baby sit a friends dog in the near future so they can reciprocate :D:D
trev
athurstance
10-07-2004, 14:30
There are 'pet sitting' services available which might be of interest. Never used them but www.petpals.com cover quite a few areas or you might find someone locally who offers 'dog walking and sitting' services.
There are lots of people who have set up round us offering sitting and walking services, or they take a few dogs into their own home. I have 2 old english sheepdogs and we have been lucky enough to find a wonderful kennels near us, where they go in happy! But it is a small one and I have to book up summer hols or christmas almost a year in advance. There is homesitters, www.homesitters.co.uk - you could try them as they will stay in your house.
Trev, there's a couple of people we know in the Durham area who do "dog minding" while people who are on holiday, Pet Nanny and Paws. Miriam knows both Caroline & Kath (the 2 ladies who run the services) as they both have horses on her yard.
I'll get Miriam to get the phone numbers for you.
It is always a good idea to ask your vet if they can recommend anyone. They usually have lots of local information:)
Trev,
We have a "beardie cross" and are very lucky as some friends of ours in Redcar look after her when we're in FL. They are a retired couple and love having a dog without the full time responsibility. They take her for walks on the beach every day and even buy her a small ice cream of her own. She settles very quickly and seems to love her own "holidays" and goes crazy when anyone mentions the word beach now. I don't know what we'd do without our friends.
There is a local company called "Barking Mad" who look after dogs for holiday periods. Not sure if they have a website , but worth a check. Can also be contacted thru' Abbey Vets in Durham. If I find a number will DM you
Kev.
We have used the National Pet sitters they have to register at your local police station when they arrive, and they are insured. At least your home is also looked after while you are away. If you use a local petminder check that they are registered with the national Pet minders Association as we had a bad experience with ones that were not !! ( turned out they had full time jobs as well !!!! )
We've got two Yorkie/Cairns. They are 9 now and have never been in kennels.
The first time we went away, some friends offered to look after them.
Now our children are all grown up and no longer come on holiday with us, they look after them when we go over to the villa.
We have a lovely labrador, who I am afraid has to go in kennels, (he's going next Friday for 3 weeks). I find it very sad, and difficult to leave him, but unfortunately we have no alternative. To me, it is the one downside to going away. Chloe
we've got a 5 year old border collie. We're lucky to have found an ideal kennels,they only take a maximum of 8 dogs at a time. it's run as a sidline or hobby rather than a business, they limit the ammount of clients because of this. The minute we get there our dog is off without a backward glance,she love it (quite upsetting really}
I'm sure there must be loads of places which are run like this, and the dogs get to know and feel comfortable with. Perhaps if you found one you could put the dog in it for a couple of days every few weeks so she gets to know the place.
benfilo
I used to work with a guy, whos wife had a Springer Spaniel, that she put into the most expensive kennels around, at least 3 times a year for their holidays. He used to say it would have been cheaper to get it put to sleep, & buy a new one when they came home.[msnwink]
Funy thing was, I think he was serious[msnscared]
We have a wonderful kennels just a few miles from us in the middle of a beautiful park. Being a first time dog owner (as of last year) I was worried about putting my mutt in but she pulls me in every time we go. They do playtime/ dog walking and I have her bathed before she comes out! (which lasts until the first walk in the mud)
Jackie
Cruella DeVilla
11-07-2004, 23:25
You could always send them round to me[}:)]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
You could always send them round to me[}:)]
[/quote]
Do you not collect anymore?:)
I wish there was such provision for dogs in Ireland, but alas we don't appear to have the same love for animals as English people have. They don't seem to understand animal attachement here!![msncry]
Anne
Cruella DeVilla
12-07-2004, 15:22
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by amy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
You could always send them round to me[}:)]
[/quote]
Do you not collect anymore?:)
[/quote]
Only if you have 101 of them!
ujpest doza
12-07-2004, 16:21
You could try Triple A Pet Hotel in Washington.
We have never left our dog there while on holiday, but have left her there a few times to have her hair and nails done.
They have a hydrotherapy pool and take the dogs for regular walks even if they're just there a few hours for their hair and nails done.
Quite pricey, but very posh.
This will strike a note with other pet owners.
Tomorrow we fly to florida (yipeeeeee!!) and today my 2 oldies have to go into kennels[msncry]. Late last night the 3yr old starts limping slightly, and yelps whenever foot is inspected. Couldn't see anything but wash in salt water solution to be on safe side. This AM limping very heavily but jumps on and off bed and in and out of car with no problems! Try taking for a walk, but limping so heavily I give up, but of course said limping hound managed to belt after one of her friends showing no sign of limp until she comes back to me!
Our vets (where we have been going 25 yrs) was sold recently to a new company and anyone who has used them is not happy. I am in a panic thinking grass seed was in foot and would need vet to either lance it or operate to remove. Phone vets for over 1 hour - no answer!!!![msnmad][msnmad]
Phone another vet where my mother and sister are registered, explain my tale of woe and that we had been considering moving anyway, they fit me in for an emergency appointment at 20 mins notice.
Take limping dog to vet - stops limping the minute it gets inside the door of the surgery! Vet can find no evidence of cut / grass seed etc so we decide may have been stung by a wasp. Foot is slightly swollen and she lets vet prod / inspect with no howls! £40 later plus supply of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory and instructions to bathe foot in salty water (I got something right then!) we are off. I deposit dogs at kennels 2½ hrs late giving the kennels all these instructions. They make big fuss of the dogs, reassure me they will cope with everything and they too have just switched from the "old vets".
Just got to finish packing ...... and a few things at work too!
Cruella DeVilla
12-07-2004, 20:15
Doggy must have guessed you were going away!!
Mine knows the minute I get the suitcase out from under the bed!!
Aw! [msnsad]
We have two playful cats who climb into the suitcases and lie down to stop us packing as soon as we open them to do so !
We don't even send the cats away - we are lucky enough to have local family to house and cat sit.
They must just miss us [msnsad]
But we are going over again in late August - just booked the flights [msncool]