will we have to choose - this is just awful :(

If you don't want to leave your pets let the family visit you. You could help pay for a b and b.

I'm so sorry you are facing this, I have the same situation that I can't see my Dad right now and usually see him two to three times a year which isn't enough anyway (really adore my dad). I can't fit quarunteen into my life either due to working and still having school age children.

I hope you can find a way to make this work soon.

We should be visiting eldest AC and wife next month in Africa but we cannot, I shed a tear when wrapping their Christmas Gifts that I now have to send.

Haven’t seen them since Nov 2019.

I am in Switzerland - as many here know. We would be travelling by car to our apartment, and then by car to our daughter's- no need for any contact with anyone. One pee stop perhaps, 1 petrol stop - wear gloves and masks, wash hands use gel.

Thanks all for your ideas - the easiest would be to get a dog walker when staying at the flat- not sure if Emma would go for a walk and do what she has to do, with anyone else. She is so happy and relaxed with us- but does not trust anyone else.

Who is AC? gaga?

kircubbin, our family cannot visit. Due to school and work, they can't isolate for 10 days here then 14 days on return. They could actually isolate at our place- separate unit, separate kitchen lounge and bathroom- but that would be ridiculous.

Have a word with Cinnamon Trust. I’ve no idea if their remit covers your circumstances but it’s certainly worth asking.

Emma is not a 'normal' dog- she is almost 15 and was abandonned age 13 and her son euthanazed in front of her.

She could stay with DD1 and family- she and the kids would love that- but don't think SIL would agree- the reason our grandkids do not have a pet. It is ... complicated.

I shouldn't have posted - difficult for others to understand situation from outside.

Sounds really tough, biba.

I’m just wondering though, there must be many UK residents who are dog owners who are told to isolate. Once you’re in your flat, you’re no different. What are the rules forbthem? Even if their owners have to stay indoors all day, dogs need to go!
In the original, very strict Italian and French lockdowns, people were allowed out within a few metres of their front doors with their dogs as necessary (5 seems to ring bells). Have you looked into what the stipulations are where you will be in the UK? You can’t be the only one with this dilemma.

I've read with interest what the suggestions are. We are planning a break next year. First for 5 years. We need somewhere for our dog, There is a Dog Creche near us but they are booked up the month we want.

I was disappointed to find out that with www.trustedhousesitter.com you have to pay a subscription before seeing if there is one in our area. Also Petstay don't have anyone in my county.

Hope you have more luck with somewhere for your dog biba70

Try mindahome.co.uk/ Woodmouse49

MrsRochester- I will e-mail the Council actually- good idea, and see what they say. Thanks.

And of course if we wait, we have no idea what the situation will be with pet passports next year- no-one knows.

Yoy have my sympathy but, as you know, biba, we live very close to all our children (well, same country at least!) but I doubt we will see any of them over Christmas.

Dh and I plus our disabled son takes the numbers over 6 for all our other children.

Could you not just move back to the uk, quarantine and then get on with life like the rest of us?

I think the fact that the dog is 15 would worry me. How fit is she to undertake a journey?
Can you have a belated celebration when all this is over/we have a vaccine if the grandchildren are old enough to understand??

It is a real dilemma but, if it's any consolation, you're not alone in this, although our decision is taken out of our hands.

(That probably doesn't help).

I think unfortunately you’ve made several rods for your own backs so you need to stay “home” in Switzerland and FaceTime or go back to uk for more than just a few weeks.

I think you have answered your own question, it is a impossible situation so I would stop agonising and make the decision not to come to Uk as painful as that is. I have an 18 yr old dog with ailments and have recently had a weeks holiday and it was a worry for me all the time as her routine was broken even tho she was with a family member neither myself or my dog enjoyed it.

There are plenty of dog walking services but do make sure you have someone who is insured and trained, not just someone wanting a bit of pocket money. You don't want to be placing an ad, the unscrupulous may see that but do look on local forums where your flat is, particularly, anything dog orientated. Facebook has a lot of doggie groups both area specific and breed specific.

How about asking the vet to prescribe something for anxiety? There are products and it might help ro calm her. Also there are ways you can ease separation anxiety even in an old and traumatised dog. If you can find a dog behaviourist or dog whisperer locally they should be able to help.

Remember the humans understand what's going on, why, and that there is a possibility of a better future.
Animals don't understand any of that and you can't explain it to them.

I am SICK AND TIRED of people moaning about how awful lock down is and how it is effecting their lives. GET A GRIP!!! Yes, its not the best being isolated, not being able to see grandchildren, etc etc, but it's NOT the end of the world. We are so so lucky to have tv, radio, wifi, etc etc .... all the things that weren't available when terrible world tragedies occured in the past. Our ancestors just got on with it and mankind survived. Maybe its just me but I think we have become a nation of moaners and wimps??!!!

A family member is a pet sitter, doesn’t get paid but loves pets and long, free holiday. Pets have never missed owners yet! Or couldn’t you rent somewhere with a garden just this once, more room for dog and GC too when you see them?

biba70

I shouldn't have posted - difficult for others to understand situation from outside.

biba70: Take no notice of the criticising downers, you do what you want to to as long as you do it safely for you and your dog. If your near Staines, I would be willing to walk the dog a coupe of times a day. I'm sure there are loads of dog lovers on Gransnet that would offer as well. I am very lucky that I see and look after my grandchildren every week.

Would you consider getting a house sitter? Some charge and some are free of cost.

We no longer have dogs, our three much loved dogs died of old age over a period of about 12 months some years ago. I was working then and it would not have been fair to take in new dogs without being there for them .We never left our old dogs for more than four hours after a big walk in the morning. In my opinion, not saying that I am right of course, the animals would not understand and would feel anxious and abandoned, but the grandchildren would understand. When my daughter and her family go on holidays abroad they bring their lovely spaniel to stay here with us for two weeks. I block that time out in my diary and he is never left on his own. He gets thoroughly spoiled and loves the certainty of a regular daily routine. We have a large garden and we leave the doors open for him to come in and out as he chooses, we play with him for 15 minute blocks of time and he 'helps with the gardening, hanging out the washing etc. in between. He loves burying things in the garden. He is completely happy when he stays but of course is delighted when his own 'tribe' come back to collect him. The other alternative is Universal Aunts who come and live in your house when you are away so they can keep pets to a regular routine and give them lots of love.

biba70 I understand your dilemma as I have a much-loved rescue cat of my own, but I'm sorry but you are making a catastrophe out of this. Look at the language you are using - "Our grandchildren would be massively devastated if we have to * can't even type the letters it is so awful." and "Just cannot bear to even think about it..."

Catastrophising makes you feel worse. There hasn't been an earthquake or major flood or bomb explosion - no loss of life.

Yes, there will be disappointment on all sides, but it's a small blip in the scheme of things. I haven't been able to see my grandchildren since last December, and my oldest granddaughter is pretty much stranded in Qatar where she's a teacher and is now having to self-isolate, on her own in a strange country. My family could all make a big deal out of that but what good would it do?

There is no point in making ourselves feel much worse. Across the world in every country affected by the virus, we have to get on with it, we have to get a grip and hope that things will be better in the Spring.

We're lucky to have technology, Zoom, etc etc. Things could be so much worse. We have to count our blessings and accept that this Christmas, like Eid and other religious special days, will be different for once.

As Captain Tom Moore always says "Tomorrow will be a better day."