To say I can't do this?

[Rochelaise18]

I'm in second year at university. As part of the course, there's the option to do a placement between second year and final year. I've been given the opportunity to do a placement in Spain for between 6 and 9 months.
In an ideal world, I'd jump and grab it. The placement is in the field I want to work in when I graduate and is with someone respected in that field, so would be a great addition to my CV.
BUT, I have a dog. There's no guarantee that I would be able to take dog with me and if I couldn't, I really can't see any way of being able to do this placement.
I'm just feeling torn between knowing how much this placement would help me in the future and guilty that I would be "one of those owners" who gives their dog up because they can't find any other solution.

Couldn’t you look for someone local
To take the dog on temporarily. On fb maybe.

Is there anyway you could find a temporary foster home for your dog?

I have dogs. I love them.
I would definitely find foster care rather than miss out on an opportunity like this.

I don’t mean to sound negative but everyone gets a placement don’t they? Why is the Spanish placement any better than a local one?

I’d definitely foster a dog in this situation, ask around someone you know may be willing to help.

Is there no one who could look after your dog temporarily? Maybe friends or family?

Thanks for the suggestion of fostering, I'd never even considered it, and will certainly look into it.
Caprisunorange The placement in Spain is in a field that it's difficult to find placement opportunities in, and, sadly, there are none locally. Most of the placements for the course are overseas, with very few in the UK. Any placement is difficult to get because so many people are applying for the same ones in some fields.

I think this is lovely that you are prioritising your dog , not many people do nowadays . Your dog is lucky to have you.

Work out how much Fostering would cost compared with the paperwork etc needed to take the dog with you. But it depends on your accommodation etc.

Are there jobs in the UK? If possibly not, it's best to give the dog up sooner rather than later.

Hecticlifeanddrowning8 the OP isn't prioritising her dog. Foster care for nine months, could cause all sorts of anxiety etc.

You need to put your career ahead of the dog; find temporary fostering or, if needs be, rehomed. This is too important an opportunity to be tied down by a dog and you would sorely regret passing it up for an animal.

If you’re doing a degree in something that you can’t work as in the U.K., doesn’t that make it enivitable you will have to relocate anyway? Just thinking it’s more likely you’ll stay in Spain if this is the case

Christ really @WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue
If op was talking about a child would you be say the same .
We take on animals to love and care for them and to them we are there life .😡

If op was talking about a child would you be say the same .

poppy196 Of course not, don’t be silly. You can’t equate children and animals as having the same level of importance. They don’t.

I couldn't leave my dogs. I'd have to miss out on the placement.

@WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue Not being silly at all , an animal is our responsibility and looks to us for everything exactly like a child does .
Any good owner doesn't just pass the animal on when they get a better offer .
If you want a free and easy life then don't have pets or children .

We did similar in Spain and took our dog with us. It’s doable but definitely added a layer of complexity and expense!

I'm a dog lover but I think that it's unhelpful to equate them with children.

OP foster care sounds ideal. There may be entities like the Cinnamon Trust in your area who could match your dog to a carer. Or ask around - it may suit a retired "dog person" who doesn't want the long term commitment of having their own pet.

Do you have a flat? When my friend went away she used a website where you basically get a house sitter who lives in your place for free and takes care of your animals, waters your plants etc.

Is there no-one in your family/friends who the dog already knows and who like the dog who could take care of him?

I have missed out on numerous lucrative opportunities to work abroad, I have turned them all down because I have two horses and two cats.

When my ex walked out the only people to come and wipe my tears were my cats, for that they will always come first.

I don't care if MNetters call me daft

Why can't you take the dog? Might be more challenging to find accommodation but it's otherwise not complicated, all you need is a passport and some vaccinations.

I don't understand why you wouldn't just take the dog if it's that important to you?

I agree if this opportunity is that great career-wise, it may set you up for the rest of your life. The dog’s not going to last as long. It is not the same as a child