Kennel Guilt...

[TooOldForGlitter]

We are going 'away' on 1st August til Monday 4th and poor old pooch has to go in kennels. Looked into home boarding but just can't afford, hence our holiday this year being a weekend in Wales! He will be OK won't he? I'm paying the extra £3 a day for walking him...if it wasn't for the kids I'd probably not go away! Slap some sense into me oh wise ones.

Couldn't he go with you?

Sorry - no help here - I take them with me

I'm sure he will be fine ,that said we have only been away since having our boy if my eldest is at home to look after him ,or I've gone away with dd and DH has stayed home. I'm staggered that you have to pay extra for walks !

No he can't come sadly. We are not good financially at the minute and are only getting this break because a relative has kindly offered us their lodge for free, they don't allow pooches tho' and it would be rude to push it when it's a freebie.

He will be absolutely fine! He may lose a little weight, and be hoarse from barking when you pick him up! Then he will sleep for 2 days and forget all about it!!! Have a lovely holiday xx

Is it not normal to have to pay extra for a walk then?

My two absolutely love going to kennels, as did all, but one (she always came with us as she had a few ishoos) of my previous dogs. (Pip has been twice now, starting the week of his first birthday.) They are thoroughly spoiled, have a paddock to run free in several times a day and get to go for walks through different fields and experience different sights and smells to those at home - not to mention all the rubbernecking they do at the other dogs. They like it so much they actually drag us in the door when we get there. (I'm always a little offended by this, even though I do find it reassuring.) The last time we went to pick them up they were really pleased to see us, but seemed like they'd have been quite happy if we'd gone away and left them again.

We've been using the same kennels since 1999, despite having moved house several times and it being quite a drive from where we live now. It really does help to reassure you if you can build up a relationship with the owners and kennel staff.

I'm a bit surprised you have to pay extra for walks too. Ours get a minimum of two a day, often more, plus free-play in the secure paddock.

He isn't a barker (greyhound) but oh boy he is a whiner

Just had a thought. We do get all that for our money, plus things like bedding washed free of charge, but then again our kennels are far from cheap, so perhaps yours don't charge as much per night, but make it up by charging for extras.

Gotta love that greyhound nose-flute playing - Pip does a rather good line in nose-flute musical accompaniment too.

The dog that shares with cats adores kennels he gets to bark and be a go without a cat swiping him. He can't wait to go with the kennel staff.
Personally I wouldn't have him walked to much risk of getting lost, but the kennel I use has great big grass runs that he goes in with other dogs he gets on with for about four hours a day.

He isn't a barker (greyhound) but oh boy he is a whiner

They charge £18 per night plus £3 a day for a walk.

Not sure why the 'whiner' post appeared twice

I use a house sitter for my dogs

I haven't put any previous dogs in kennels. We were better off then so could choose dog friendly places and we had adult stepson at home for weekend trips (rare).