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Worried about going abroad because of leaving my dog

(55 Posts)
Secretsquirrel1 Sat 04-Jun-22 13:33:46

I was wondering if I’m the only one who doesn’t go abroad as they find it really difficult/ stressful to leave their dog behind. ?
My dog is a needy creature by nature,( cavalier King Charles)
more so since our other dog died. She won’t let anyone else walk her and when my husband has tried, she managed to pull away from him and ran home frantically looking for me.
Also, I suffer with anxiety and so she’s like an unofficial emotional support dog for me.
Subsequently we usually rent a holiday place in the U.K. on the rare occasions we so go away

The only thing is , I’m about to have a big dilemma! My daughter and SIL are expecting a baby via a surrogate after years of wanting a child and rounds of IVF etc. She will be having to stay abroad for around three months from early November to January, after their baby is born to await paperwork.

Soo, I either don’t see my grandchild for about the first 3 months or I find a way to leave the dog for.a couple of weeks so I can fly out.

I’ve looked into flying with my dog but it’s a long journey with a stop over and the dogs over the weight limit even if I Couid find an airline that allows dogs in the cabin. (She Wouid be way too anxious to go into a crate in the hold !! )
I know it sounds stupid but the thought of leaving my best furry friend behind is making me feel sick with worry.
I’m hoping other pet lovers will understand.
We live in a nice house in very popular Cotswold village so I guess it would be possible to find someone to come and look after her but what if the persons goes out out all the time and leaves her alone or is a secret psycho !

I didn’t sleep last night for worrying about it What’s wrong with me? My husband says it’s not normal to worry about them to the extend you don’t want to go away without them.
Any sage words Would be very much appreciated!

SueDonim Sat 04-Jun-22 13:40:18

Start off with your vet and ask for help to manage your dog’s anxiety. We’ve had CKC’s and they are definitely people dogs!

Also, your dog might also be very different if she was alone with your Dh rather than knowing you were still around.

wildswan16 Sat 04-Jun-22 13:40:30

It sounds as if you will be stressed and unhappy if you fly out and leave your dog/comfort behind.

Three months will go very quickly. Many of us have discovered through Covid lockdown, that our children have had babies without us, and 12 months or more have passed before we can think of seeing them.

I am sure your daughter will Facetime/Skype with you so that you can meet your new grandchild. I would just stay at home and wait. It may even make it easier for your daughter as she might end up worrying about how you are going to cope as well !

Daisend1 Sat 04-Jun-22 13:42:59

You are not alone so know the feeling.

Sparklefizz Sat 04-Jun-22 13:45:39

I understand totally, and can understand your dilemma too. I have a rescue cat who has been through a bad time and she was needy before the pandemic, but is more so now that she's got used to having me at home all day every day.

I live on my own and during the isolation of lockdowns and the pandemic, she has become my emotional support cat, so I suppose you'd say we need each other.

I look ahead and wonder how I could ever have a holiday. When she's upset, she refuses to eat, so she would be in a bad way.

I don't know what the answer is, Squirrel as I don't know the answer for myself. I just wanted to say that I understand.

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 04-Jun-22 13:51:04

I completely understand. We have always had rescue dogs, bad pasts and we and their familiar surroundings and routines are their security. We don’t take, and don’t miss, holidays. Small price to pay. Couldn’t enjoy myself and I don’t think OP would by the sound of it. As someone else said, three months goes quickly.

Redhead56 Sat 04-Jun-22 13:54:07

If you have anxiety already it might just be best to stay home. Spend the summer months relaxing and looking forward to seeing the baby. I think our pets take on our anxiety our girl does especially since we lost our Jack Russell.
The months will fly by and you will be in a good frame of mind when your family return.

Dinahmo Sat 04-Jun-22 13:55:06

Maybe a house sitter? There are various websites with details of house sitters.

I've been thinking what to do with two blind dogs one of which is diabetic and needs twice daily injections at regular intervals. I may have found someone who has previously worked with horses and is used to giving injections. I plan to visit her in a week or so to check her out. We only want to go away for a few days, just 2 or 3 nights as we'd really like a change of scene. We both enjoy visiting cities and have been able to that since covid.

I hope the OP manages to work something out.

Casdon Sat 04-Jun-22 13:57:32

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with some of the other advice, If my daughter needed me I would always put her above my dog, much as I love him. Having a baby after trying for so long is a massive thing for her and her husband, and I’m not sure she’ll ever totally forgive you if you put the dog before her, which is how it will feel to her.

I think you’ll have to bite the bullet and leave the dog with either your husband, or a trusted friend or family member. Start slowly before you need to leave her long term, by leaving her for a few hours, then all day. She will be fine, they are resilient creatures

BlueBelle Sat 04-Jun-22 14:08:33

It’s really not healthy for either of you to be so dependant on the other you say you are a nervous person so the dog has picked up on your nerves and ran with it
I agree with Casdon leave the dog in good care of your husband or if he’s going with you another family member the dog will be in her usual surroundings while you go to see the baby or if you can’t do this then wait till the baby arrives home those of us with overseas grandchildren often don’t see them the first time for months or more it’s not always possible to be there at the beginning

silverlining48 Sat 04-Jun-22 14:19:01

I agree with casdon and bluebelle. How will your dd feel if she and the much awaited baby are placed second after your dog. If you are going on your own your dh or whoever looks after the dog will manage.
Try not to overthink this. Go and enjoy your new gc, or of course don’t go, it’s up to you. Have you talked to your dd about this?

Chestnut Sat 04-Jun-22 14:22:12

This is just not worth the stress and anxiety involved. Stick it out for three months with video calls and then enjoy your grandchild!

Chestnut Sat 04-Jun-22 14:23:46

Just to add, it's not about putting your dog first, it's about putting yourself first!

Callistemon21 Sat 04-Jun-22 14:28:08

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with some of the other advice, If my daughter needed me I would always put her above my dog, much as I love him.
Me too

There are registered dogminders who might have him, rather than him go into kennels.
You'd have to introduce the dog to the person and let him spend some time there to make sure he'd be happy when you're away.

Otherwise book a dog-loving house sitter.

Callistemon21 Sat 04-Jun-22 14:30:16

Here's a link to one website
Others may be available

www.homesitters.co.uk/dog-sitting/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwheyUBhD-ARIsAHJNM-N3rhqFQrfX-fPn58qnXihBhrzDZFx7m3HBtrboHozr2OhipPC-QPEaAhGmEALw_wcB

MayBee70 Sat 04-Jun-22 18:10:31

I’m not sure that your daughter really needs you if she has a partner with her. Might she just have you to worry about as well as everything else that’s happening, especially if you suffer from anxiety. I turned down a holiday in Australia because my last dog had been ill and I didn’t want to leave her in kennels for 3 weeks. Could you not arrange it so that if you needed to be with your daughter you could leave your dog with your husband and fly out. What does your daughter want? Has she asked you to be with her? Some breeds have specific holiday swap sites; might be worth looking on Facebook. Taking the dog with you is out of the question imo. I was happy to leave previous dogs in kennels but the one time I arranged for someone to come to my house twice a day to check/walk my dogs one of them developed pyometra and nearly died so I would never do that again. I think you need a series of plans. But unless your daughter desperately wants you to go there I’d just try to make arrangements to go there on your own if (and I hope this doesn’t happen) something goes wrong. My current dog is a bit of a lockdown dog so I have no plans to go anywhere without her.

MayBee70 Sat 04-Jun-22 18:14:44

There is a specialist King Charles boarding home called Charlie’s Ark in Amber Valley. They might know of similar places near to you. But if you join a King Charles Facebook page you will be able to speak with other owners that share your concerns and could help you. Also winter time might make it difficult to get a house sitter.

SuzieHi Sat 04-Jun-22 19:48:41

Look for a 5* kennel near you. Start by leaving dog for a day, then do an overnight stay. Ask the kennel staff to tell you how it goes. Longer stays will be fine. Dog will be safe, well looked after. Have no fear! We put our dog in the local kennel 1x a month so she’s used to a stay. Also goes in for a week while we go abroad once or twice a year- no problem.
When you return all will be back to normal. Well run kennels are safe, dog will be pleased to see you when back - might have even enjoyed their holiday

Daisymae Sat 04-Jun-22 19:53:54

Might be an Idea to get a trainer in to help with your dog's separation anxiety. I don't think that it would be fair to leave your dig at the moment. However if you can wean her off her dependence then it would help all round.

SunshineSally Sat 04-Jun-22 20:07:01

We’ve got a cockerjackapoo whose just celebrated his 1st birthday. He is totally devoted to me - so much so that he refused to go for a walk with DH unless I’m there. He’d goes out the door with DH and about 25 yards before he realised I’m not there and then digs his heels in or drags DH back home!
I went away with DiL and grandchild for 4 days and we were worried how Harvey would be. I needn’t have worried - he was absolutely fine, ate and drank AND DH was finally able to take him for walks on his own! Since I’ve come back he’s been fine and will now go out with either of us whether we take him separately or together. The decision is yours, but I just wanted to share my experience being as it was only last month. Good luck with what you decide to do. Photo of my scrummy boy in his birthday suit! ?

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 04-Jun-22 20:09:39

I have never heard of such a hybrid. And I hate seeing dogs dressed up. Very humiliating.

Iam64 Sat 04-Jun-22 20:19:19

I love my dogs, they’re family but my grandchildren are above them in any pecking order
Having said that, it sounds as though your dog needs help in managing her anxiety. That means a vet check and recommendation fir a good behaviourist. Separation anxiety can be lessened and managed.
Friends use a Trusted House Sitters. My dogs either Board with a dog trainer who knows them and only has my two or they go into the local kennels that has only ten dogs in individual spaces, tv, radio, enclosed field, receive games etc. expensive options but they work for us
I’d want to visit my daughter. I’d want my dogs to be able to cope with change

Hithere Sat 04-Jun-22 20:44:56

You are mixing so many issues in one post

1. Please look for a solution for your anxiety if you haven't done so yet.
Depending on your dog is not a solution

2. Your dog's anxiety also needs attention - whether it is a reflection of your own or his/her own

You cannot limit your life like this
Your dog will be ok with your dh

3. Waiting to meet your gc for 3 months is not a huge amount of time.
A 2 week visit is also ok to be without your dog

Please look for help, for you and your dog, now

The baby is not yet here for many months and there is no need to worry this much about logistics this early

BlueBelle Sat 04-Jun-22 21:06:13

have never heard of such a hybrid. And I hate seeing dogs dressed up I totally agree GSM I hate seeing dogs dressed up too It’s a fancy name for a lovely mongrel or crossbreed looks a smashing dog minus it’s birthday suit

MayBee70 Sat 04-Jun-22 22:57:02

I thinks it’s a really lovely dog. Looks more wire haired than most doodle dogs. I’m sure he doesn’t wear his birthday suit very often. Having had whippets for many years I’m quite used to seeing clothed dogs. In fact if it’s cold or wet my brain sometimes can’t comprehend seeing dogs not wearing rain gear. Which I know is daft because when I had spaniels I never dreamed of putting coats on them!