Boarding Experience
On top of that, I can only imagine what they'd think of me when I give them instructions: -Maddie is a picky eater and needs a little encouragement to eat. Please sprinkle a hint of parmesan on her Wellness Super5Mix -She needs meds 2 x a day but be sure to cleverly insert them into a Fruit Newton cookie -Be sure to brush her 30 minutes a day -Tug of war is her favorite game, can somebody play with her 2x a day -She also enjoys long strolls in the park, can I make arrangements for something like that OK, I am exaggerating a bit but so worried about leaving her with someone else  We did rescue her nearly 3 months ago and I don't want her to think that we are giving her up. I'm probably just being a big loser but wanted to see if anyone else experiences such angst in making a decision on where to board their OES and the associated guilt that comes along with it.
Thanks for an advice. |
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| I think it's very responsible, and caring, and the best thing for Maddie to do what you're doing for her. Sometimes the best way to go about finding something not "institutionalized" is by calling your vets and shelters and finding dog lovers like yourself who would be willing to keep Maddie in a home like environment while you're away, and follow all of your very reasonable requests. You can get a list of numbers, people who dog sit at their homes, and talk to them and visit them and allow Maddie to visit with them a few times before you actually go away.
Good luck! And please let us know how it goes!  |
| You are not being a "big loser". You are being the caring, responsible pet owner that each dog wishes he or she had. You will have a much better chance at getting the quality of care you are looking at for Maddie by starting your serious searches now. And you should be comfortable with whatever arrangements you end up with. If you are not, you will not enjoy your vacation as you will be concerned about Maddie.
As for other possibilities - how about contacting the nearest OES rescue group and seeing if they have any suggestions as to a pet sitter? And by the way - I don't see anything wrong with your instructions for Maddie's care. They seem perfectly reasonable to me. |
Thank you so much for your support. It's good to be among so many people who love their pets as much as I do.  |
| Just a suggestion, we use to put our kids at the local kennel, however, it broke my heart, so they now have a "nanny" lol when we travel it's a bonded and insured young woman that I found by I guess word of mouth, they love her and her little boy, they get to stay in their house and everyone is happy!
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| We wanted to go away this summer too, I wanted to go back home for a few days... but those plans kind of got messed up for other reasons, not because of the dogs though, but now that I think about it I am kind of glad it didn't work out because I haven't found anyone around here yet who I'd trust with my fur babies. We need to find someone who can keep the dogs with them, but come to our house to check on the other animals as well. Cats are pretty independant, they wouldn't need much care, just someone to pop in and make sure they have fresh food and water and scoop the litter. Guinea pigs don't need much either.... but still, it's a matter of trusting someone too. |
| I also don't see anything wrong with your list of requests, I am sure if I thought about it, my list would be just as detailed. I am fortunate, my mother will take our two in anytime we travel and often on days when I must be away and not home at my normal time, my husband will drop the kids off with her so they wont be lonely.
I leave the radio or tv on for them during the day so they feel like someone is home and the lights are on timers so the lights come on and they aren't sitting in the dark waiting for us to come home. For years my husband took Tyler to work with him each day, and it was wonderful. He can't now but while he could I think Tyler looked forward to going to "work" with daddy. He is now retired and a stay at home kinda dog. I would agree with looking for someone who could come into your home while you are away, a friend, or family member. The less disruption in the routine of a rescue in the first 6 months is the best. They are still adjusting to the new environment. Also, I know this may sound silly, but sleep with an old towel or tee shirt for the last few nights you are home and then give it to your pup just before you leave. The smell of you is comforting to them. I know I am silly, but my sheepies are my babies! That is Tyler on the left and Kiera on the right. |
| Thanks again for the feedback. I wish I had family closer that could watch our girl. My sister actually volunteered and I know she'd take wonderful care of her but she has an active little Cocker Spaniel puppy who is too much for poor Maddie.
I found out that one of the girls from our vet's office actually does petsitting on the side. This could be ideal if it worked out. In any event, I wanted to thank you all for your feedback. It's great being among so many folks who lover their sheepies as much as I do. My husband and I don't have children so Maddie and her 2 kitty brothers are our furry kids. It's one big happy zoo. I actually suggested getting another OES so that Maddie has a friend to play with since the kitties are sometimes reluctant to frolic with her. You should have seen the look on my husband's face - it was priceless. Oh well, perhaps we will find another Sheepie in need  |
| This is a big decision! You're not being a "loser"! I agonize over the same issues.
If you decide on a kennel - be sure to get some references. Make it seem like "Camp" when discussing it with Maddie. Tell her how much fun she's going to have, etc. - they really can sense your emotions and she'll know what you're telling her. Sydney stayed a week at a kennel when she was just 6 months old and she's deaf - I was petrified that she would freak out - not being able to hear what was going on and/or not knowing if I was coming back. She made out better than I did!
If Maddie is not clipped/shaved - I would ask about getting grooming throughout her stay (brush out every other day or something) - otherwise you will have a matted Maddie when you return. (I'll never forget picking up one of my sheepies, Oliver, after a kennel stay - I would have sworn that they used him as a MOP for all the other dogs urine - it was nasty!!!) I prefer the Kennels that have an indoor/outdoor run - so the dogs can pee/poop outside - otherwise you can plan on having some housebreaking relapses when she comes home. I also make sure that it is air conditioned (if it's warm climate). (A local kennel in Rhode Island just had an "incident" where 7 dogs died because they were left in a room without airconditioning during the July summer weather! - very unusual - but something that I will think of the next time I use a kennel). Don't feel bad about the "rules" you give them and don't feel bad about checking in on her (I used to call daily! )
Bring some of her toys (if she has any) - and find out if they let you bring some bedding (but be sure not to want it back - it can get really gross!) If you decide to go with petsitting - just be sure they are responsible and don't let her out by herself, etc. (obviously). My aunt has a petsitter come often - and she has made out well (better than she had in a kennel). Just make sure that Maddie will be secure at all times (is your yard fenced)? Good Luck in your search! Have a great time! Kristen |
| Bam-Bam just turned 4 years old in June. We got him at 8 weeks old, from that day forward we have ceased to go diving, snorkeling, our weekend getaways to the East Coast of Florida are no longer. He totally owns us and if he can't go, we don't go. We even find ourselves hurrying home when we have dinner out, which is rarely. No, you are definetly not over reacting, there are some of us who are beyond extreme. An OES has a way of doing that to you, but wouldn't have it any other way......
Good Luck to You! |
| After reading your thoughts about getting another sheepie so that Maddie would have someone to play with, I just had to respond.
We adopted a second sheepie one month ago. We actually took Baxter (our OES) and Sharkey (American Eskimo) to meet the new sheepie before we decided if we would take her home or not. Well, once Baxter met her, his mind was made up. He kept on trying to herd her (and us)into the van. The two of them are now attached at the ear. It does make life a bit more chaotic as they tumble their way through the house, but both Baxter and Cassiopia are ecstatic with each other. And the cats are pleased as they no longer have to frolic so roughly with Baxter. |
| You are def. not a loser. Infact my Dad is actually staying home with my dog Sheepy while the rest of the family goes to Scotland next year because Sheepy is getting so old and because of what happened while they were on vacation a couple weeks ago(read Sheepy is the love of my life under medicine and nutrition). We used to leave Sheepy at the vet's office and they actually would take him home with them but again he started to get older and he has seperation anxiety that has been getting really bad lately(again with the old age). So my Dad is giving up a vacation with all of us next year to stay with our baby haha. Last time we went to Scotland our neighbors took care of Sheepy but again he had a bad spell a couple weeks ago while my parents were in the Bahamas so we didnt want to leave him just incase...ITs hard to leave your dog behind and go on trips but its best to just find someone who can give Maddie all the attention she needs while your gone.
~*Sheepy's older sis Heather*~ |
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