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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Can’t leave dog to go on holiday

39 replies

Connie5858 · 20/07/2019 23:37

Hi we are just back from Dorset where we had a lovely time in a cottage with our pampered 3 year old dog.
Our dog has been with us in holiday about five times now.
I would love to go abroad in a hotel with my husband but I don’t think I can leave my dog.
Our children are in their twenties live at home . All work various days or studying various days. And they would all look after the dog. He would never be on his own.
I can’t leave him though.
Does anyone feel the same.
I feel there is a whole world out there that I want to explore .

OP posts:
babysharkah · 20/07/2019 23:43

Look at home boarding. Ddog usually comes with us on holiday to Europe but we are going to America to visit family this year. He's diabetic so needs insulin injections and we have a fab local home boarder to look after him.

babysharkah · 20/07/2019 23:44

Sorry, realised you said you can't leave him - you have to or accept those holidays are gone!

Aquamarine1029 · 20/07/2019 23:44

I think you should leave the dog with your adult children and live your life. Your dog will be perfectly fine.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/07/2019 23:53

Does it strike you as odd or concerning that you have no problem leaving your children but can't leave your dog?

MysweetAudrina · 20/07/2019 23:54

Sounds like you can leave him but you are choosing not to. What's stopping you? It sounds a bit unhealthy tbh.

Pipandmum · 20/07/2019 23:59

I have absolutely no problem leaving my two dogs and rabbits. They go to kennels once a year. They are happy to go and then happy to come home.
If you really want to travel you need to figure out why you are so dependant on your dog.

musicposy · 21/07/2019 00:09

Could you start with very short breaks abroad? DDog always comes with us on our long holidays - I adore her and miss her when I'm not with her for a long time. We have three dogs but one is particularly special; she came into my life at a very difficult time and it got me though, so I know why I'm a bit over-dependent.

I've started doing occasional weekends or a few days away with either DH or one of the DDs, leaving the dogs at home with the remaining family members. I think this is a good compromise at the moment. Longest I did was 5 days with DH, leaving dogs with the DDs. That was actually fine and we had a really nice time.

But 5 days is long enough for me for now. You could start with a night away and gradually work up. I probably sound batshit!

ErrolTheDragon · 21/07/2019 00:09

We use holidays4dogs, he stays with lovely 'aunties' - it's a holiday for him too, I think!

Yours would be fine with your kids, from the sound of it.

Maybe I'm misreading it but sounds like you're over-attached to your dog.

DrinkSangriaInThePark · 21/07/2019 00:12

I think that's very irrational and I wonder where those feelings spring from... Is there something else going on in your life that is making you so afraid of going away from your dog? I think you probably know that it's not a normal way to feel!

Floralnomad · 21/07/2019 00:14

If you trust your children then I don’t see why you can’t leave him with them . I wouldn’t be able to leave my dog with anybody but very close family ie dh , the dc or dsis , basically because I don’t trust anybody else to keep him safe .

Mrsjayy · 21/07/2019 00:20

It does sound like you are far to attached to your dog your dpg could live for another 10 years are you never going to leave it? No my dog is a twat Grin I enjoy the break my dds look after him or he goes to kennels.

YesQueen · 21/07/2019 00:46

It's worth asking about
I look after a husky for her owner, I'm the only one insane enough to Grin
But what I do is create a photo album on Facebook and upload photos the whole time she's with me and I also use map my walk so her owner can see her walks and where we have been etc for peace of mind she's his precious first dog
She loves coming to me and he said he's always reassured by how excited she is to see me. Also she gets to sleep on my bed which she doesn't at home

ShmooBooMoo · 21/07/2019 01:04

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/travelling-abroad-dogs

You don't necessarily need to leave him behind Smile

ShmooBooMoo · 21/07/2019 01:05

Well, not in a hotel, obviously.

LimitIsUp · 21/07/2019 01:09

I am completely soppy over my dog but happy to leave him at home cared for by a trusted house sitter and family friend. I wouldn't leave him in kennels, but with someone he and I know and like, where's the problem?

Walney · 21/07/2019 07:47

This does sound a bit odd, and if its kennels you're worried about there is home boarding as previously mentioned.

I love my dog, but she's an animal and goes to kennels when we go away. As long as they are well cared for thats all that matters.

BiteyShark · 21/07/2019 07:53

I hate leaving my dog BUT he adores the person he stays with and that means that I can go on holiday knowing he's having a wonderful time.

I couldn't leave him if I knew he was miserable but he drags me to their door and never looks backwards.

ErrolTheDragon · 21/07/2019 08:44

Well, not in a hotel, obviously.

I wouldn't take my dog abroad because he wouldn't be allowed in museums etc, but hotels aren't necessarily a problem. The most upmarket one I've ever stayed in (Rome Waldorf Astoria, got a great Expedia deal) allowed dogs. They had a notice welcoming them which basically said they'd had humans trash a room but dogs weren't a problem!Grin

Original poster
Connie5858 · 21/07/2019 08:49

Thank you for your replies.
I feel like I’m being told off for being to attached to my dog.
She’s like my shadow and is with me all the time.
The kids are fine being in their twenties I have no problem leaving them. The kids are independent with their own lives friends and jobs. If they are unhappy about anything they are very vocal and let me know immediately.

OP posts:
wishingforapositiveyear · 21/07/2019 08:52

I know exactly what you mean OP ! When I have left Ddog my mum has come to stay at my house with her, she lies by the front door crying most of the time. When I get home she sulks for a good week and barely looks at me .

meangirlsonrain · 21/07/2019 08:52

Well it is a bit odd. You know the dog would be looked after and I'm sure for week you'd all cope.

DrinkSangriaInThePark · 21/07/2019 08:54

And they would all look after the dog. He would never be on his own

I feel there is a whole world out there that I want to explore

I wasn't telling you off. However, based on the above lines from your own post, I think you know that you're being irrational. Having a pet really shouldn't stop you doing the things that you want to do, like travelling. Especially when, as you said yourself, your pet would be looked after well and by family.

Orchidflower1 · 21/07/2019 08:56

Is it YOUR dog or a FAMILY pet- if the latter then why can’t the dc look after it?

As a pp said if you can’t then you can’t but then accept you won’t travel far.

zafferana · 21/07/2019 09:00

You wouldn't be posting on here for advice if you were secure in the knowledge that your attachment to your dog isn't overly dependent OP. I have several relatives with dogs they adore, but it would never stop any of them from living the life they want. Are you prepared to never go anywhere that you can't take your dog for the next 10 years or so? What if you then get another dog after that that you also feel unable to leave? I think you know this attachment is not wholly healthy, but you have a choice - either you leave your dog with your DC (which seems like a great option to me) and go wherever you want to go, or you accept that you can't go to the those other places for now. You never know what life holds though. What if you knew for sure that you'd never get the chance to go those places if you don't go in the next 10 years?

Karwomannghia · 21/07/2019 09:03

I’m fine leaving my dog With my mum I know she’ll be fine as will yours.
Maybe go for one or two nights a couple of hours away as a practice, make a weekend of it. Come back and see she’s fine and go for longer the next time.

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