Am I being crazy?

Revival75 · 2025-07-16T06:27:53+00:00

My kids are asking me to take them abroad, I have the leave booked and can afford to but I am genuinely worried about leaving my dog 😮💨 for context, I would be leaving the dog with another family member we live with who walks the dog regularly. I have very much been chosen as the dogs favourite and she looks for me when I go out, over excited when I return etc etc. she is my shadow. obviously I don’t want my kids to miss out on a sunny break (have done loads of Uk breaks since getting the dog) but I am genuinely worried that the dog will be miserable and be sitting pining for me. Am I being ridiculous? longer term it may be I look into pet passport etc to take the dog but that in itself brings limitations in spending all focus on the kids (the dog is quite needy 😂). welcome some thoughts, am I mad?

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 16/07/2025 07:35

Your dog will be fine - go and have a nice holiday!

Thatcannotberight · 16/07/2025 07:51

I used to look after my neighbour's rough collie when they went in holiday. I was told he would pine, wouldn't eat etc, as he'd done that before with other family members.

30 minutes after they left him, he was asking for his lunch, we had a lovely week together, and I returned him far better groomed than he had been before.

If dogs feel comfortable, they'll be fine.

RunningJo · 16/07/2025 08:05

I know what you mean op, except I’m the position where my dog would have to stay at a kennels or a home boarder.
We’ve always holidayed with our dogs in the Uk but am looking at a holiday abroad.
I too have a clingy dog and worry what he’d be like, I honestly don’t think he’d settle in kennels - no matter how nice they were - but can’t find a home boarder that isn’t fully booked.
In your situation I’d be totally happy that my dog was going to be ok , he’s in a home with someone he knows. Go and enjoy your holiday!

Steelworks · 16/07/2025 08:07

We all worry about our furry pets. Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. They’re fickle little creatures, and as long they’re fed and watered, will soon transfer their allegiances to someone else.

Coffeeishot · 16/07/2025 08:13

Dogs live in the moment,it won't know you are going away for 5 minutes or 5 days, as long as its .cared for it won't miss you as much as you think it will.
Go on holiday

Original poster

Revival75 · 16/07/2025 08:26

RunningJo · 16/07/2025 08:05

I know what you mean op, except I’m the position where my dog would have to stay at a kennels or a home boarder.
We’ve always holidayed with our dogs in the Uk but am looking at a holiday abroad.
I too have a clingy dog and worry what he’d be like, I honestly don’t think he’d settle in kennels - no matter how nice they were - but can’t find a home boarder that isn’t fully booked.
In your situation I’d be totally happy that my dog was going to be ok , he’s in a home with someone he knows. Go and enjoy your holiday!

I know what you mean, the ideal is for us all to go away but I couldn’t put the dog in kennels. I think longer term, we need to find a dog walker that also does boarding as would only be comfortable leaving her with someone she knows. She loves her current walker but she doesn’t board. Honestly, I’m far too emotionally attached😮‍💨

OP posts:

Original poster

Revival75 · 16/07/2025 08:28

Thanks for all the replies. It’s helping me get a grip🤣. Being the dogs hero definitely has its down sides.

OP posts:

Coffeeishot · 16/07/2025 08:34

You are far too emotionally involved she doesn't think like you do find home boarding if you don't want kennels but you need to book them way in advance.so you need to be organised, you are putting your feelings about the dog before your childrens enjoyment of a holiday.

TheGrimSmile · 16/07/2025 08:34

You are not being ridiculous at all. But as your dog will be at home with a trusted, familiar person then it will be ok. Yes, they will pine but it's only a week.

Coffeeishot · 16/07/2025 08:37

Personally my dog is better in kennels he was a total pain for the dog sitter.ran rings round her🤦‍♀️

TheGrimSmile · 16/07/2025 08:37

Coffeeishot · 16/07/2025 08:34

You are far too emotionally involved she doesn't think like you do find home boarding if you don't want kennels but you need to book them way in advance.so you need to be organised, you are putting your feelings about the dog before your childrens enjoyment of a holiday.

Animals do think like we do, or certainly have the same emotions. I do think that she should leave the dog but it's not right to dismiss the dog's emotions like that. Animals get anxious and worry, feel sad, jealous etc just like we do.

Original poster

Revival75 · 16/07/2025 08:40

Coffeeishot · 16/07/2025 08:34

You are far too emotionally involved she doesn't think like you do find home boarding if you don't want kennels but you need to book them way in advance.so you need to be organised, you are putting your feelings about the dog before your childrens enjoyment of a holiday.

Yeah, the irony is that it was my kids that really wanted to get a dog (which I don’t regret but does bring some complications, especially during school holidays). Need to get it together for future hols.

OP posts:

Coffeeishot · 16/07/2025 08:44

TheGrimSmile · 16/07/2025 08:37

Animals do think like we do, or certainly have the same emotions. I do think that she should leave the dog but it's not right to dismiss the dog's emotions like that. Animals get anxious and worry, feel sad, jealous etc just like we do.

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I am not dismissing a dogs emotions at all honestly but I don't think we should get carried away that dogs think like us because that's when we move into treating them like humans territory. I adore my dog I've had a few dogs my adult life and this one is my absolute soul dog,but he is a dog and I have to treat him like a dog and tune into his emotions.

VickyEadieofThigh · 16/07/2025 08:45

TheGrimSmile · 16/07/2025 08:34

You are not being ridiculous at all. But as your dog will be at home with a trusted, familiar person then it will be ok. Yes, they will pine but it's only a week.

They don't usually pine if they're at home a d esif they're at home with something know.

Your dog will be fine, OP.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 16/07/2025 08:47

I have a desperately needy dog who loves me (it's just me and her in the house) and will attempt to defend me against allcomers. It's very wearing. I leave her with adult kids when I go away and apparently she behaves impeccably and is less stressed, because she knows them well but doesn't feel the need to be constantly on the alert to guard them.

She does give me the cold shoulder for a while when I get back though.