Kirska

My husband and I will be going out of the state/country for up to a month. I think we should board the dogs at our vet's office but he thinks we should have a friend stay in our house to watch them. He is someone we can trust. What do you all think?

I am not opposed to the idea by any means, just getting a feel for what is best.

The dogs are old and lazy, and Harley does tend to stop eating when his surroundings change.

Do you prefer to board or have a housesitter for long trips?

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Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt

"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

CatherineM

We boarded, but he was a new puppy. Dogs that are older, and have a companion, I think do better at home.

paisleysmom

I would prefer Paisley to stay home in her own house. We hace never kenneled Paisley but preferred to take her every where we go. She is an expert at hotels etc. and when we travel down south she usually stays at my brother in laws i Toronto since we have not found an in home sitter. That being said it had recently created a problem for us -- my daughter and I are travelling to Turkey and Greece in August but hubby will stay home with Paisley (mostly his choice but since we don't have a sitter).
Paisley and her Dad tho will travel together during that time to Toronto twice and to Manitoulin Island on another weekend. You should have heard my husband explaining to the hotel guy that we had a little dog (he rationalized by saying she is VERY short). That being said I sure wish we had an in house sitter so that he would travel with us. We love to travel with Paisley but sometimes it would be convenient to leave her at home since my hisband and I agree that boarding is not an option.... we have to find a sitter soon.

Annie714

I haven't ever done either with Annie, but I am an experienced house/pet sitter. I think leaving your furry friends with someone you trust in your own home is a better choice.

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Blog about the antics of Annie and I. http://thechickandthehound.blogspot.com

bassetmom26003

I think a month is a long time to board, would opt for a pet-sitter for inhome care, especially with older dogs I think it would be quite stressful on them. We have a few sitter services in the area and my neighbors use them often. I know they come regularly a few times a day to tend to the animals.

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"A basset is an asset" Kathy, Miss Annie Gotcha Day 4/27/11, and Angel Bentley ATB 3/1/11 gone but forever in my heart

Princess Buttercup

PBs pretty lucky & gets to go with me most of the time & if she can't she gets a slumber party at a friends house with a big backyard & is pretty much in heaven. I can't imagine kennelling her so I'd totally go the house sitter route. I loved the "very short" dog rationalization too by the way! Enjoy your trip!

Lightning&Stomps

I think boarding for that length of time would be so stressful. If you have someone you trust to housesit, I would definitely go that route.

Boomer's Mom

I'm going with the status quo, and say find a house sitter. And have a good trip!

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Boomer: Born 4/18/2010
Biscuit: Rescued 1/26/12, approx. 2 yo

Chez Basset: Come for the kibble, stay for the belly rubs.

shallhb

Housesitter, for sure. We have some one we trust, and Bella and Pearl always look happy and healthy when we get home. They are in familiar turf, getting their usual foods, and with some one to keep an eye on them personally for health issues, should they arise. I have kenneled dogs (many, many years ago), and sure didn't like what I saw when I came home, every tho we took them to what we had heard was the best kennel in our area.

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Sharon Hall

Grace (puppy in training)
Bella, UD, VER, TD, RE, CGC
Pearl,UD, TDX, RE, CGC (Waiting at the Bridge)
Samantha, Theodore, CGC, Louella, Zeke and Arty, Bassets All; (All Waiting at the Bridge)

houndmomma

I can’t say about boarding – I’ve only had house sitters that live at my house when I’m gone. Most of the time we’ve been extremely lucky. Our daughter is in her late 20’s and has always been very responsible – works for a great company with a very nice boss who lets her come to our house and work when we go away. We just always bring him a gift back as an added thank you.

On the rare occasion that she can’t because of her schedule I have a lady that I got from a friend that comes stay at our house.

I’ve thought of boarding years ago but Lucy is a rescue and was extremely aggressive the first couple years so I was afraid of the stress that would put on her and someone not understanding her aggression. I would just do a lot of research before I boarded.

I would go with your gut – no better way to ruin a good vacation than worrying the whole time you’re gone about how your fur babies are doing. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jen~