The Pet Thread • Page 22

Hey, fellow pet owners! My parents have decided that we're going away for Christmas, for 4 days and 3 nights. We can't bring my dog with us. We're leaving him at his groomer's tonight for a trial since he trusts and likes her, to see how he'll be staying in someone else's house. I started crying in the car leaving him (he's only one year old) and I just need to know how to cope when we leave him for a few days. I'm really attached to him and so upset right now

 

Teddy

 

That's tough! We've always had family that's able to watch our dogs. Usually my parents and the couple times we've gone somewhere with them, my sister in law and her husband have taken them. It's good that he likes his groomer, I'm sure he'll have a good time! Just think about when you get home, he'll be super exhausted just from being in a new environment for a few days, and he'll be so excited to see you. I love those nights, my dogs usually pass out on my lap instantly when we get home :)

 

Y'all how absolutely horrible would I be if I left a dog alone overnight? I have to watch the dog for my mom bc she's on a trip but she really gave me no time to prepare for this at all (like a week) and it's over Christmas. I have tried everything I can think of to find someone to watch the dog so I can go to my grandma's for Christmas but no one will help me. My grandma said I can't bring her with me bc she has a cat. I can't bring her to a kennel bc my mom said her shots have expired and she wouldn't pay for them and I cannot afford that rn at all. My mom told me to just leave her at the house and she would be fine but I feel awful about it. But if I want to spend Christmas with my family it looks like that's my only option. I'm really upset my mom put me in this position tbh and have no idea what to do.

 

How long would you be leaving the dog alone for? I know you said money is tight, but you could try finding a local pet sitter or even a dog walker even just to let the dog out once or twice. Any chance you could convince Grandma to let you bring the dog and keep it separated from the cat? Put it in a room with the door shut or something?

 

Yeah it's really depends on how long "overnight" is, and if the dog will have access to a potty area without you there. I've definitely left my dog at home overnight before when leaving the house at like 9 and coming back as early as I can the next morning or something.

 

The dog would be alone for like 14 hours probably. I've asked every friend, neighbor, family member, etc. All have plans bc it's Christmas. I've contacted pet sitters and can't find any that are available. Or they only come to your house and my mom doesn't want people she doesn't know in her house. Seriously 1 week notice is just so frustrating. I'm so mad about this. I'm also really upset bc my grandma's cat never leaves the basement but she just refuses to let me bring the dog with me. And my brother has brought his dog over multiple times and everything was fine?? I don't get it at all. If she would just let me bring the dog everything would be fine!!

 

this is probably terrible advice but just bring the dog anyway lmao what is she going to do? if your brother has brought his dogs it doesn't seem like a big deal. but i'm also a disrespectful brat so IDK

 

Yeah 14 hours is definitely too long to leave the dog. Really it sounds like you should just talk with your Grandma and tell her that you can't come celebrate Christmas with the family if you can't bring the dog.

 

Yeah, that's a bummer. 14 hours is a long time though. If even someone could just come over and check up on the little one for an hour or so to break it up it'd be a lot better, but with your mom's restriction that kinda makes that impossible. Also with the length of time you'd be gone I assume your family won't be able to come to you instead.

Idk it really comes down to what you're most comfortable with. You know the dog better than any of us. I'd feel bad leaving my dog for 14 hours but realistically I know she'd be fine if I absolutely had to -- she has a dog door, doesn't lash out when faced with separation, and definitely wouldn't go totally starving in that amount of time or anything if I left food/water down.

 

And I mean, if your mom is gone, she wouldn't know if a dog sitter stopped by the house to help.

 

My brother is on his way over to my house bc I locked myself out like an idiot lol He’s the favorite in the family so I’m gonna ask him to talk to my grandma. Idk what else to do. I’m hoping if I cry he’ll pity me and help me out lol I’m honestly so upset with my family over this. I really don’t see why it’s a big deal to bring the dog and they really are making me feel like it doesn’t matter if I spend Christmas with them or not.

 

He'd better have a blog

 

Ha! Teddy is a fool compared to me. He barely knows how to shake let alone operate a mouse and keyboard.

 

I'd still read his blog ngl

 

It would 100% be a food blog. I’ve never met a dog more obsessed with food haha

 

Yeah just to echo what everyone else said, 14 hours is definitely too long, not fair to the dog. The only exception would be if the dog has a potty pad in the house that he's trained to use. Sorry you're in that position, my in-laws have done the same with even less notice and it really sucks.

 

I talked to my brother yesterday and he agreed the whole situation is just stupid lol He said he'll talk to my grandma but regardless of what she says to just bring the dog anyway and he'll say he told me it was okay to bring her. So I guess that's just what I'm gonna do. Thanks for the advice/help everyone!

 

Is this yours? It is unreal how cute this is

 

I am not home for the holidays, but my sister is and she is sending me pictures of my Wocky Wow and I miss him more than anything

 

Yes. My 20 year old girl

 

That’s amazing bud. She looks very spry for her age. My boy is like 14 now

 

Just lost my cat Lolly at the grand old age of 17 (only a few months away from being 18), this is the second loss I have had to endure in less than two months and it hurts so much especially considering she has been with me since before I turned 8.

RIP dear old friend.