Any ideas what to do with our dog if we go travelling for 3-6 months?

[possumhead]

Hi,
My DH has suggested that we throw caution to the wind, rent the house out and travel the world for 3-6 months before dd (2) starts pre-school and/or we think about another child.
All very exciting, obviously we will need to do our homework and the sums.
My real concern though is what do we do with our beautiful lurcher? We haven't any family that would take on the long-term comittment. We would look into renting the house out with an agency, so can't ask a friend to stay here with dog. Anyone have any ideas? We are aiming to go August/September time so have a bit of time to get organised

Unless you're prepared to pay out thousands in kennel fees, I'm afraid you either don't go, or you get rid of the dog.

I don't really see a solution to it.

A note in the post office window might throw up someone who'd be interested in looking after the dog while you're away .. but it would still cost you dear, I suspect.

have youn though tabout a dog sitter that has the dogs in thier own homes. I offer this service and it is cheaper and less stressful for the dog to live in another home. might be worth looking into it.

Ask around your friends and see if anyone is considering buying a dog - and if they would like to look after yours to see what it's like?? (Thought of this because we are thinking of getting a dog - but are very aware of what a commitment it is etc, my friend has volunteered to bring her dog here for a few weekends so we can see how we manage.)

jo, i like the idea of pet sitting in own home, but think to be a financially viable trip we would need to rent out the house!
Millarkie, I will ask around friends to see if anyone fancies a dog on trial!
Post office window good idea too Desierata.

Sorry misunderstanding i think, i meant dog sitter to have dog in thier home. I regualry have people drop oif thier dogs to live with me in the family unit whilst they are on holiday etc. So would not affect your house.

possumhead - where in Wilts do you live?

3-6 months is a quite a long time for a dog. Just wondering how he will cope switching families. He will probably take a while to settle properly then he'll go back to you.

I'm sure he'd cope but I'm not sure it's fair..and I do mean I'm not sure not I don't think its fair.

I have a bit of exp with this sort of thing on this timescale. You have to remember you are dealing with a pack animal here despite the fact he is your cuddly lurcher (I love lurchers send him here to lovely cornwall with lots of dog friendly beaches) he is going to go through the abandoment issue when you leave and then possibly again when you come back - he might not want to come home you know, how would that make you feel?

I think it's unfair too - a dog is a commitment you can't just farm out IMO

Whispywisp - We are in Swindon.
Coby, I hear what you are saying, which is why the dog is my concern.
I want to make sure that if we do go, she will be in the right environment and be happy. Kennels would be expensive and too distressing for her.
It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do this travel, but it has to be right for all of us... and she(the lurcher) is part of the family.

She is 5 years old. I am just adding a picture of her to my profile page. She would love your house coby (even the damp!!)

• aahhhhhhh! she is lovely just what I would look for in a lurcher (which is what we plan to get).

At least she is not too old to completely unadaptable - I'd be sneaking her into my suitcase though if I were you!

My husband and I have considered this but because our dog is so much loved and part of our family I think the kindest thing would be to rehome him or wait til he dies.

At no point could I bear to rehome him so I will just be waiting til he passes for trips over 3 weeks.

Possumhead - gorgeous looking dog. I couldn't leave her for 3-6mths. I have dogs of my own. I would never leave them for that length of time. Every holiday we've had they've come with us. They are as much a part of my family as the children.