Anxiety about leaving Ddog for a much needed holiday!

[Hop27]

Advice needed, we have a 3 year old staffy who is one very very spoiled and wonderful dog. She came into our lives when we were very heartbroken, after many failed round of IVF - so she is pretty much the baby of the family.
We are all very tired and have decided as a family we need a 2 week holiday and have booked to go abroad leaving her at home with a friend who is going to housesit. We've done this before but only for a week and my DBro and SIL have house sat, but they are coming on holiday with us.
I'm starting to get really anxious about leaving her, I don't want to spend 2 weeks worrying about her. Also how do I make it nice for my friend who is kindly taking on my needy child for a week!
I nearly pulled the pin on the holiday because I was so worried about leaving her, is this normal? Any tips on how to make this nice for everyone involved.

I would have been the same, until recently. Is it possible you don't 100% trust who she's staying with? My ddog can stay with my parents now: who spoil the crap out of him and who he honestly loves being around as much as he likes being around us. So all my previous fears are gone. Is there any way to create a set up where you won't worry?

What exactly are you worried about? That she'll miss you or that she won't be safe? Address that and you'll probably be fine :)

Friend who is staying had house sat her before, for a couple of days and her kids love her and fuss over her. She had sat her before and she took her to the beach (her fave place). She can mostly work from home or take her to a dog friendly office.
I'm slightly worried about her around our pool now as she had learned to jump in. Could I insist she needs to have her life jacket on around the pool ? God I need to get a grip!
I'm worried Ddog will miss us and think we've abandoned her.....or that she will be lots of work for my friend.

I'm worried about also really unrealistic things like she'll get stolen or run away (impossible for her to escape our garden). I just love her so much, I actually feel Guilty about leaving her too!

It's so nervewracking leaving them isn't it.
With our first dog, we went on a week-long holiday and hated leaving him so much that we came back and immediately bought a campervan so that he could holiday with us!
But I rationalise it now as - people put their KIDS in full time boarding school! So a dog being left with a trusted friend will be absolutely FINE.
Try not to build up too much anxiety around it before you go, as your dog will pick up on it. Then when you leave, say a quick, business-like goodbye and get on with it, or they'll know something is wrong.
Enjoy your hols OP.

I'm currently in Australia... for 3 weeks!! I cannot tell you how much I DREADED leaving my dog..my hairy soul mate. She had only ever been away from me for two nights before.. with her breeders (who are amazing and offered for this holiday) Honestly if it wasn't for the fact that my son now lives here and we are here for the wedding... I'm not sure I could have left her!

BUT... guess what... the clingiest Mummy's girl in the world is doing just FINE.
First 24 hours she was very quiet and down, and after that she perked up, eating drinking and is now happily sleeping with the breeders or with their own dogs (inc her own Mum) having never really liked being with other dogs much!

They send me daily updates with photos and I can see she is fine (sprawled in their arm chairs and having belly rubs!) I'm sure she misses us, but as everyone here told me... they don't measure time as we do she'll just be happy to see us when we get home.

Don't over think it .

And unless she's going paddle boarding or kayaking I really don't think she'll need a life jacket!!!!

I currently abroad, having left the furry child with relatives for a week.

He's had the time of his life. I needn't have worried one bit! They have 4 dogs, he's had a riot and loved it.

In fact I think he won't want to come home and leave his new best friends!!

I worried way more than I needed to. Dog will be absolutely fine, promise!

This makes me feel so much better ! Any nice things I can leave my friend as a thank you?

I had the same worries about my beautiful girl. A good friend of mine started doing dog sitting as a business and from then on I was comfortable with it.

She died of old age a while ago, so we have become the dog sitter for our DD and son in law. It’s a covid dog and they work from home. They could not love their dog anymore if they tried. They have worked up from a few hours to a two week holiday with no problems. He seems to just transfer his affections to us as soon as they walk out the door.

If you have time, perhaps get the friend to pop in a bit more often, or closer to your departure, just so the dog is really used to her. But this is more for your benefit than anything.

Ref the thankyou. I always think when it comes to a beloved family member, don’t be stingy.

My friend used to charge me £20/ per day, so even if you halved this it would still be a decent amount. My go to would be a M&S voucher for £100 plus a nice box of chocs or wine or flowers.

I always think when you’ve been on a nice holiday it’s not the best time to think you can’t afford to treat well. Obviously different when it’s a family emergency or for work.

Plus if the thankyou is generous, they will be happy to dog sit again. And it’s always nicer to have the same person back.

This is her .... sorry for the screen shot can't find the original pic. Yes she is wearing a life jacket, yes I need to get a grip .....

@goodmorningsunny - I think you were right, there was clearly something in the back of my mind that was bothering me but I couldn't put my finger on it! She's pulled out I got a shitty text this morning saying that I would need to find someone to fill a gap for 4 days whilst she goes away did the weekend with her ex and kids. FFS what do I do now, we leave in 3 weeks.

Isn't the point of getting a dog and saying they are part of the family that you are then restricted to things like having to walk them daily and choose holidays on which the dog can come? 🤔

Your dog's gorgeous OP. Sorry you've got some stress ahead of you to sort out another sitter.

I'd ask on your local Facebook page for recommendations for dog sitter / walkers.

I've been stressed all weekend, I've placed some ads on some house sitting sites and hope to find someone over the next few days. I've massively considered not going.....

Phone around all dog walkers as some do home boarding or might be able to recommend someone.

This is why I am very grateful for my home boarder as they are great with him and very reliable.

Is there a reason why you want a home sitter rather than your dog going to a home boarder?

I hope you are looking to replace your ‘friend’ for the whole time , I wouldn’t trust her at all now . Find a nice kennel , dog will be fine . ( not that I’ve ever done this as my dog has a medical issue and can only be away from myself for 1 night .)

I leave mind with a relative who is very happy to take her for a week or two. So long as she has her teats, bed and toys she is fine. I have heard bad stories about kennels and issues with fleas etc. But I am sure there are great ones around too.

We met a lovely couple last night, so hopefully they will agree to look after her. They sound exactly what we are looking for. So fingers crossed that works !!
So bloody stressful .... I thought holidays were meant to be relaxing!

The only family we have near are travelling with us and that's normally what we do. I don't want to use a home boarder or a kennel it's just not for us.