I’m so sad about my dog...

[HuskyMcClusky]

...going to kennels for Christmas.

It’s a lovely kennel and she’s been there before (overnight only - this time will be at least 5 nights ).

Not going is out of the question, but I’m gutted already and it’s 5 days away. Can anyone make me feel better, please? TIA.

Don't worry, if it is a good kennels and you know she will be safe and warm and dry and get walkies and to play with other doggies etc... she'll be OK. She doesn't know it is Xmas and she'll be so pleased to see you again and will soon forget it ever happened

Thanks Lime.

Do you think she’ll think she’s been abandoned? She’s a rescue dog and she’s so attached to me. I hate hate hate the thought of her sitting there wondering if I’m coming back.

She won't feel abandoned because she will think it is a holiday

I (probably stupidly) have only spent two nights away from her in 2 years. She usually sleeps on my bed. Will she sleep alright?

Aargh, I know I’m being pathetic.

My ddogs were in for a fortnight in October!! Ddm guilt like never before!!

She won't think she has been abandoned, because dogs' minds don't work like that.

She will know she is safe and warm and well fed. She will enjoy her walks and playtime.

She will probably also be thrilled to see you when you arrive to collect her

The thing is, everyone (very helpfully ) has been saying ‘OOH, kennels are awful, I’d never put my dog in one - they’re soooo much happier in their own home with a pet-sitter’.

I couldn’t get a bloody pet-sitter!! They’re like hen’s teeth around here, and also she’s a ‘difficult’ dog in some aspects. (Long story)

Just wish people would stop making me feel like shit about it!

I couldn’t get a bloody pet-sitter!!
Where in the country do you live??

Not all kennels are awful. My dogs love the one we use. It really is like extended family.

If you are worried about her missing you talk to them about it. We put our old T shirts, after sleeping in them, into our dog’s crates for moving from Latin America. Maybe you could do the same?

I don't understand. You feel terrible and are so worried yet are putting her in anyways.

Then you say you wish people would stop making you feel like shit yet have posted on an Internet forum about the topic.

Where in the country do you live??

Australia.

What don’t you understand, Ashamed?

Can you take some bedding that smells of home? She's been there before and you came back. She will remember that! It isn't the unknown. It's familiar.
She will be fine. You may need wine!

Where ever you leave her you will feel awful. That is because we all miss our furry friends.

You get good and bad kennels just like you get good and bad pet sitters. You said it's a lovely kennel so ignore what everyone else says or does and enjoy looking forward to her coming home.

Wolfie, I have bought her a new Christmas teddy and I’m sleeping with it rammed down my pyjama top this week.

Bitey, that was my thinking. I did a LOT of research before I booked her in last time, and this is supposed to be the best kennel in the area, so...

Australia
I was hoping that you lived near me as I had an idea but no you probably couldn't be any further away.

Persian, aw, thanks anyway!

Honestly, this place does hikes and play times and treat time, and is surrounded by fields; it looks more fun than our house, tbf. I’m just stressed that she’ll feel abandoned and confused. I’m probably being silly.

Don't be embarrassed. I was really worried about leaving my pup this summer. I drove her to a friend's house. Over 5 hours round trip! So 10 hours to drop her off then pick her back up!
Oh she was fine!
Me on the other hand ...

Op is your dog a husky? Our husky has a ball at the kennels as they have an enclosed area she can be off the lead. She doesn't get that otherwise!!

Wolfie, I suspect that’s going to be me - the dog will be fine, and I’ll be in tears!

Tinsel, no, despite the username, she’s not. She is a greyhoundy thing of uncertain parentage . But that is a good point: she will get more off-lead time than she does at home, and some more socialisation, which I think she needs.

I may have sobbed on the way home without her.
She was happy as anything. I have pictures and video to prove she had a lovely time!!

Well I was going to volunteer but Australia is a step too far... or maybe about 15.2 thousand kilometres too far.... sorry OP. I wouldn't mind a dog for Christmas. Ours died earlier this year and I can't have another one at the moment.

Oh, Twitter, sorry to hear about your dog. . That’s sad.

I feel I must confess after the sad brown eyes of my lurcher that first drop off at the kennels - I now send dd and dh to leave them - I am suitably ashamed.

I’m just stressed that she’ll feel abandoned and confused
You are worried because you are thinking as if she is a human being.

Dogs don't think like us, they think in the moment.

My friend had to shout at her dog in the forest today because she was about to eat a fox poo and she has a really delicate stomach.

At the time her dog looked really say and sulky but thirty seconds later she was absolutely fine again as if nothing had happened because to her, it hadn't as she had forgotten all about it.

Most dogs enjoy their holiday in kennels because there’s so much going on and lots of other dogs to interact with.
Dogs have no sense of time, she won’t know if she’s been there 5 days or 2 and she won’t give it another thought once she’s back home.