Leaving An Old Dog To Go On Holidays

[PAX]

I totally agree with everything that you say, but after running a small boarding kennel I can tell you the 99.9% of the dogs I mind are so happy and drag the owners here on repeat stays. Some owners even get offended that the dogs are happy to hang out with me when they return.

Dogs are so awesome, and live in the now, quickly adapt to the new routine.....unlike us stressed out owners.

I agree, but like Sheridan said, there is sometimes a dog that does not cope well. In our case, our dog had dementia and a number of other age related issues and on the previous occasion of kenneling he went severely downhill. In earlier years he enjoyed the kennels and he was just fine on our return back then. Dogs with dementia and age related illness should be kept in their normal routine, or as close to it, when owners are away. Much kinder.

Souff

[Dogsfevr]

We board alot of old dogs many around the 15/18 yrs bracket.

I will be honest & say some of these owners hope they die with us so they don't have to deal with it which really peeves us off & sadly we have had a few oldies pass away .

We have certainly had some oldies in that the owners should never ever have left with anyone .

We get many more that have a blast & go home younger than they came in.

Every dog is different .

I myself have never left my oldies as mum is here or vice versa & yes it has stopped me from doing many wonderful things so i appreciate when clients come in with oldies how hard it can be .

[PAX]

I agree, but like Sheridan said, there is sometimes a dog that does not cope well. In our case, our dog had dementia and a number of other age related issues and on the previous occasion of kenneling he went severely downhill. In earlier years he enjoyed the kennels and he was just fine on our return back then. Dogs with dementia and age related illness should be kept in their normal routine, or as close to it, when owners are away. Much kinder.

Souff

So true, but what do you do with an old dog if you have to leave, I mind lots of older dogs, some are blind and deaf, have one here ATM. IME they have all been fine, I worry myself sick while caring for them, I discuss the worst case scenarios with the owners, scares me everytime I go near them as they can't hear me coming and are sleeping soundly.

Because I am here with them, I probably spend more time with them than a lot of owners do with work commitments, I get the owners to bring lots of familiar things from home, I'm sure I am not the only place that does this.

That was my point, find somewhere you are happy with, maybe with live feed so you can see your dogs.

[westiemum]

As per usual Souff, I agree with you and others. Old dogs must have a significant other at all times - and even when you think you have that worked it out it still sometimes doesn't work. I went overseas last year for almost four weeks, unbeknownest to me at the time it proved to be about 3 months prior to Macs dementia diagnosis. My mother came and stayed at my house for the whole time I was away to look after the three westies aged 5, 9 and 11. The two oldest ones, despite knowing and loving my mother well (she if often here and is their grandmother after all! :rolleyes:) didn't cope even with their grandmother in constant attendance. Mac and Sarah apparently sat at the front door for days waiting for me to come back - Mum said they appeared 'depressed'. Unknown to us Mac probably had early dementia at this point - his confusion must have been fairly acute

So what do I do with an old dog if I have to go away? I change jobs so I don't have to go away - well, at least no more than a night or two - a job where if things deteriorate I might be able to take him into the office with me a couple of days a week and I plan holidays, usually just a few days at a time where they can all come too. I'm off to a beaut B and B in the Adelaide Hills in early June with all three of them and in November I'm off on a wine club weekend away and I said I'd go only if I could bring the dogs - and guess what - they have accomodated all of us by booking one 'pet friendly' house - and it wasn't difficult.

And I won't be going away for any more than a day or two without them (and preferably not at all), until after Mac heads over the rainbow bridge. And when that might be is anyones guess. So I have delayed my next trip to my beloved UK indefinitely (was to be July this year).

I took them on 6 or so years ago and I will do what is best for them even if it means I need to make choices for them and not for me and work around their needs as people with 2 legged kids would do for them - for me its no different .

Edited May 7, 2011 by westiemum

[Sheridan]

Sheridan, not sure what you mean? I mind plenty of old dogs, they are still dogs, have the same needs, what is your point?

My point is the dogs cope better than we do, even when they are old, just need to find the right carer/kennel that you have faith in, as I said.

Since you missed it, you're taking this thread as a criticism of kennels. It isn't about kennels. It's about people not wanting to leave their old dogs for whatever reason. Those reasons may be stupid to you but I can assure you, they are not to others and it is not your place to say otherwise.

[westiemum]

Yes agreed Sheridan. My old Mac would never cope in a kennel - but its not the kennel per se - its being away from me - as I sadly discovered last year. Whereas some dogs love kennels and do well in them - my guys, who were caged for years are not one of them.

Sheridan, not sure what you mean? I mind plenty of old dogs, they are still dogs, have the same needs, what is your point?

My point is the dogs cope better than we do, even when they are old, just need to find the right carer/kennel that you have faith in, as I said.

Since you missed it, you're taking this thread as a criticism of kennels. It isn't about kennels. It's about people not wanting to leave their old dogs for whatever reason. Those reasons may be stupid to you but I can assure you, they are not to others and it is not your place to say otherwise.

[Perry's Mum]

Perry would not cope with a kennel either. I cannot leave her for more than 3 days without her becoming depressed and stopping eating although I have only ever left her at home with a friend she knows well. I have just had to accept that since she is my only family here I cannot go off tearing around the world like I used to. Nowadays we just have short trips together and that actually suits both of us.

[westiemum]

Agreed PM - thats me too - I can't go tearing all over the planet for the moment either - and that suits us all here too

[PAX]

I am not taking this thread as a critisism of kennels, I was trying to make the point that dogs do much better in a new enviroment than we give them credit for, I believe it is more stressful for us than the dogs, even if you have the right kennel/career for your dog..

I think it is perfect, and what i would do, if you can always have the same routine for elderly dogs, sometimes that is not possible.

Since you missed it, you're taking this thread as a criticism of kennels. It isn't about kennels. It's about people not wanting to leave their old dogs for whatever reason. Those reasons may be stupid to you but I can assure you, they are not to others and it is not your place to say otherwise.

[KOE]

We are about to trip off and my 2 oldies are going to the kennels where they will have their beds be kept warm and given their drugs, I have total trust and the dogs are used to it. The vet is right across the road and it is better than taking 2 arthritic dogs into a freezing area. I will be away 2 weeks then will be dropping the 3rd dog off while I go elsewhere. We take our dogs with us everywhere but I am thinking of them not me. Personally I would rather take them.

[Sheridan]

I am not taking this thread as a critisism of kennels, I was trying to make the point that dogs do much better in a new enviroment than we give them credit for, I believe it is more stressful for us than the dogs, even if you have the right kennel/career for your dog..

I think it is perfect, and what i would do, if you can always have the same routine for elderly dogs, sometimes that is not possible.

I don't know why you're so confused. Sometimes there isn't a right carer. Your solution seems to be oh, don't worry about it, she'll be right. Not every dog copes with strangers and kennels and for those who don't, it can be utterly horrendous. But hey, thanks for just dismissing people with concerns about their dogs as fussy worrywarts.