Don't feel too bad for her yet. As it stands now I'm paying $88 a week for her to spend her time romping in doggie daycare while I am at work.Aww poor Charlotte!
In my opinion it is wrong to cage a pet dog for such a long time... in fact I would never cage a Basset of mine at all and have always allowed all of our dogs free run of the house (just downstairs as stairs are not a good idea for Bassets) and they are left in the kitchen if we're out for the evening or when I work three hours, twice a week and I always leave the radio on for them when we're out! My elderly neighbour has a key to my house and she sometimes lets them out or goes and sits with them as they're company for her and she knows she can do that at her own free will.
It must be so boring for poor Charlotte to be left alone all day as dogs need stimulation... and through boredom, could get destructive, and who could blame them? Could you get an older Basset to keep Chalotte company?
Have you got a neighbour who could help look after Charlotte when you're away for so long? Can you imagine being left in a cage for several hours yourself? Surely you'd want to get up and walk around to stretch your legs or go and investigate a noise outside etc.
Or could you take Charlotte to work with you? Is she the sort of hound who would sit under your desk for a few hours and would have company. Maybe she could stay in the car and you let her out every now and again at work.
I'll go and read the other replies now as I haven't looked at them!
I work in a pharmacy there is no way I can take her to work. And we are currently renting a townhouse that is carpeted in every room besides the tiny kitchen which isn't a good place for Charlotte to hang out. We definetly can't get another dog, it feels like a zoo around here already with 2 cats and a basset. Not to mention the extra expense of getting and maintaining a second dog.
It's just that if I start working more I can't afford to spend more on her care. The only option I can think of would be to work 6 hour shifts five times a week and pay for a mid day walker. I don't know how she would handle being left free roam of the house because she has always been crated when we can't supervise her. I am thinking of maybe getting her one of those circular exercise pens to set up in the living room to give her extra space to play while I am gone.
I was just curious as to how other people who are working full time handle this.
