Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog recently died. He was elderly, blind, deaf, and quite ill, so his last six months involved a lot of care. Before he got really really ill, the last 6 to 9 months of his life, we were becoming quite hesitant to leave him and our other dog at a boarding place, as we had been doing, because he was too old. In his last 2 months we really couldn't even leave him alone in the house at all even for errands, so my husband and I tag teamed. We were working from home anyway. He died in July.
This week, we had friends over for dinner and one said something to the effect of "I'm so sorry about ( DOG), but I guess you feel freer now and relieved that you guys can take a trip. It was probably hard not being able to do that this year. " Then she went on to discuss her latest trip and another one, exclaiming " "We aren't going to get a dog again ( they had one dog many years ago), because a dog is just going to hold us down." Okay, I understand. I do, and people do say weird things after a pet dies, so I didn't take offense in that way, BUT-
I had to walk into the kitchen where I did a quick dash to the bathroom. Why? I couldn't control myself- I was literally heaving with tears. I was stunned by my own visceral reaction. I couldn't even stop crying. After collecting myself, reapplying basic makeup upstairs, and reentering the group, no one was the wiser, except me. What I learned was there was nothing, not a trip, freedom of time or responsibility, money, etc , that would have ever superseded my love for my dog even during those last tough months. It was an honor to care for him, F everything else. Really. Also, when he was healthy and we picked them both up at the boarding place up after a trip, it was, hands down, the best part of the trip. I'll take the dogs, everyone else can have the big trips.

Thanks for sharing PP (this is OP). I’m sorry for your loss. I understand this 100% which is why I’m having a tough time deciding what to do.

Dogs are so worth whatever inconvenience, and very soon the priorities are revealed- you wouldn't trade your dog for anything.

But- if you have a travel lifestyle, can't be home much, are sick, etc, then no, those would be deal breakers. However, a couole of trips a year can be worked out.
Good luck OP.

I don’t agree with this. We travel quite frequently (Christmas week, Presidents Day weekend, spring break, multiple times during the summer) but our dogs have been boarded at a doggy day care type place since they were little. In addition to boarding, we take them in for play days. It’s something we started with them in the puppy ages so that they were comfortable with the social setting. If this is a lifestyle your dog(s) is used to, it works out great. You do need to get trip insurance or have a backup plan like a family member to step in in the unlikely event something happens - if Fido gets sick, you can’t board. But in close to 15 years of having dogs, we’ve never had to cancel a trip due to dog boarding.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog recently died. He was elderly, blind, deaf, and quite ill, so his last six months involved a lot of care. Before he got really really ill, the last 6 to 9 months of his life, we were becoming quite hesitant to leave him and our other dog at a boarding place, as we had been doing, because he was too old. In his last 2 months we really couldn't even leave him alone in the house at all even for errands, so my husband and I tag teamed. We were working from home anyway. He died in July.
This week, we had friends over for dinner and one said something to the effect of "I'm so sorry about ( DOG), but I guess you feel freer now and relieved that you guys can take a trip. It was probably hard not being able to do that this year. " Then she went on to discuss her latest trip and another one, exclaiming " "We aren't going to get a dog again ( they had one dog many years ago), because a dog is just going to hold us down." Okay, I understand. I do, and people do say weird things after a pet dies, so I didn't take offense in that way, BUT-
I had to walk into the kitchen where I did a quick dash to the bathroom. Why? I couldn't control myself- I was literally heaving with tears. I was stunned by my own visceral reaction. I couldn't even stop crying. After collecting myself, reapplying basic makeup upstairs, and reentering the group, no one was the wiser, except me. What I learned was there was nothing, not a trip, freedom of time or responsibility, money, etc , that would have ever superseded my love for my dog even during those last tough months. It was an honor to care for him, F everything else. Really. Also, when he was healthy and we picked them both up at the boarding place up after a trip, it was, hands down, the best part of the trip. I'll take the dogs, everyone else can have the big trips.

Thanks for sharing PP (this is OP). I’m sorry for your loss. I understand this 100% which is why I’m having a tough time deciding what to do.

Dogs are so worth whatever inconvenience, and very soon the priorities are revealed- you wouldn't trade your dog for anything.

But- if you have a travel lifestyle, can't be home much, are sick, etc, then no, those would be deal breakers. However, a couole of trips a year can be worked out.
Good luck OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Does it help to have two dogs instead of one? So at least they can keep each other company when their humans are away? I had a lot of guilt leaving my last dog with sitters but I’ve always wondered if two dogs would be better to avoid loneliness or separation anxiety.

Personally yes I think so. HOWEVER, this requires work on the front end. For example, when we brought a new puppy into the home, the older dog was quite unhappy and it took several months for them to be able to get along. We had to hire a trainer and do a lot of socializing work on our end. So the end result is beneficial but it can take time to get there. Having two dogs also doubles your veterinary and food costs, and boarding if you choose to go that route - some places will provide a sibling discount if they share a crate at night but not all boarding places have this option.

Good points PP. I wonder if adopting a “bonded pair” at local rescues would solve a lot of those issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog recently died. He was elderly, blind, deaf, and quite ill, so his last six months involved a lot of care. Before he got really really ill, the last 6 to 9 months of his life, we were becoming quite hesitant to leave him and our other dog at a boarding place, as we had been doing, because he was too old. In his last 2 months we really couldn't even leave him alone in the house at all even for errands, so my husband and I tag teamed. We were working from home anyway. He died in July.
This week, we had friends over for dinner and one said something to the effect of "I'm so sorry about ( DOG), but I guess you feel freer now and relieved that you guys can take a trip. It was probably hard not being able to do that this year. " Then she went on to discuss her latest trip and another one, exclaiming " "We aren't going to get a dog again ( they had one dog many years ago), because a dog is just going to hold us down." Okay, I understand. I do, and people do say weird things after a pet dies, so I didn't take offense in that way, BUT-
I had to walk into the kitchen where I did a quick dash to the bathroom. Why? I couldn't control myself- I was literally heaving with tears. I was stunned by my own visceral reaction. I couldn't even stop crying. After collecting myself, reapplying basic makeup upstairs, and reentering the group, no one was the wiser, except me. What I learned was there was nothing, not a trip, freedom of time or responsibility, money, etc , that would have ever superseded my love for my dog even during those last tough months. It was an honor to care for him, F everything else. Really. Also, when he was healthy and we picked them both up at the boarding place up after a trip, it was, hands down, the best part of the trip. I'll take the dogs, everyone else can have the big trips.

Thanks for sharing PP (this is OP). I’m sorry for your loss. I understand this 100% which is why I’m having a tough time deciding what to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Does it help to have two dogs instead of one? So at least they can keep each other company when their humans are away? I had a lot of guilt leaving my last dog with sitters but I’ve always wondered if two dogs would be better to avoid loneliness or separation anxiety.

Personally yes I think so. HOWEVER, this requires work on the front end. For example, when we brought a new puppy into the home, the older dog was quite unhappy and it took several months for them to be able to get along. We had to hire a trainer and do a lot of socializing work on our end. So the end result is beneficial but it can take time to get there. Having two dogs also doubles your veterinary and food costs, and boarding if you choose to go that route - some places will provide a sibling discount if they share a crate at night but not all boarding places have this option.

Anonymous wrote:My dog recently died. He was elderly, blind, deaf, and quite ill, so his last six months involved a lot of care. Before he got really really ill, the last 6 to 9 months of his life, we were becoming quite hesitant to leave him and our other dog at a boarding place, as we had been doing, because he was too old. In his last 2 months we really couldn't even leave him alone in the house at all even for errands, so my husband and I tag teamed. We were working from home anyway. He died in July.
This week, we had friends over for dinner and one said something to the effect of "I'm so sorry about ( DOG), but I guess you feel freer now and relieved that you guys can take a trip. It was probably hard not being able to do that this year. " Then she went on to discuss her latest trip and another one, exclaiming " "We aren't going to get a dog again ( they had one dog many years ago), because a dog is just going to hold us down." Okay, I understand. I do, and people do say weird things after a pet dies, so I didn't take offense in that way, BUT-
I had to walk into the kitchen where I did a quick dash to the bathroom. Why? I couldn't control myself- I was literally heaving with tears. I was stunned by my own visceral reaction. I couldn't even stop crying. After collecting myself, reapplying basic makeup upstairs, and reentering the group, no one was the wiser, except me. What I learned was there was nothing, not a trip, freedom of time or responsibility, money, etc , that would have ever superseded my love for my dog even during those last tough months. It was an honor to care for him, F everything else. Really. Also, when he was healthy and we picked them both up at the boarding place up after a trip, it was, hands down, the best part of the trip. I'll take the dogs, everyone else can have the big trips.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Does it help to have two dogs instead of one? So at least they can keep each other company when their humans are away? I had a lot of guilt leaving my last dog with sitters but I’ve always wondered if two dogs would be better to avoid loneliness or separation anxiety.

Personally yes I think so. HOWEVER, this requires work on the front end. For example, when we brought a new puppy into the home, the older dog was quite unhappy and it took several months for them to be able to get along. We had to hire a trainer and do a lot of socializing work on our end. So the end result is beneficial but it can take time to get there. Having two dogs also doubles your veterinary and food costs, and boarding if you choose to go that route - some places will provide a sibling discount if they share a crate at night but not all boarding places have this option.

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Does it help to have two dogs instead of one? So at least they can keep each other company when their humans are away? I had a lot of guilt leaving my last dog with sitters but I’ve always wondered if two dogs would be better to avoid loneliness or separation anxiety.

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Does it help to have two dogs instead of one? So at least they can keep each other company when their humans are away? I had a lot of guilt leaving my last dog with sitters but I’ve always wondered if two dogs would be better to avoid loneliness or separation anxiety.

Anonymous wrote:We are very lucky because we have a friend we trade dog sitting with. We have two dogs and she has one; thankfully, they get along very well.