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

biba70, I've not seen my grandchildren since February either. Still, I've no plans to travel any time soon.

I don't want my family to worry about possible risks (however small). They'd be devastated if I got ill or died as a consequence of going to see them. We'll all just stick to Zoom for now, at least until next summer.

I also have an elderly small dog. She's always right by my side (and in my bed). On the rare occasions where I've left her, at home, (for a few days) with a friend staying over, she's been upset.

She'll sit by the door all day, refuse to eat much or go for a walk. At night she'll reluctantly climb into bed with my long suffering friend - then whine quietly all night!

Therefore, I can't holiday without her as I think she'd just starve herself!

It is. I'm off to an autumn camp with the students next week. Looks like it'll be pretty swish. They're lovely kids but of course I'm lavishing care on other people's children while I can't see my own GS.

So sorry, I know. Being retired, we at least have more options. That is tough.

I'm in the same boat, Biba, and not far from you either ironically. I'll miss seeing GS at 1/2 term and possibly at Christmas too. As you say, isolating in the UK won't be a problem but I can't isolate when I get back to work. Which means I could be stuck here for the foreseeable.

And to think I only came here to avoid getting stuck in China, where I have great friends.

Just been looking Gaga- and as you say, plenty of choice. And a seaside property, in the winter- could be ideal to take dog out for walks and early am and late pm. We will probably not go, and wait for better days- but it is good to know that possibility is there.

As said, it suddenly got me, full frontal - probably bad weather to blame, and the cumulation of so much stuff going off in the world. Thanks for those who listenened.

Of course we could not - we would not forgive ourselves, and know daughters and grandchildren would never ever want this- and never forgive us.

But Gaga is right - renting would be the only possible way- and we will think about it and look around. How infuriating when we have flat, with paid BBC licence, etc, etc - that has stood empty all year. But - yes, that would be the only possible solution, thanks.

GagaJo

Renting somewhere sounds ideal. Perfect solution. You'd only have to rent it for 2 weeks while isolating, then could decamp to your flat.

There must be websites that list holiday homes that take dogs. It wouldn't matter where in the UK it was (within reason) as you'll only be there for isolation.

What GagaJo said ! That would be a solution. Otherwise you cannot seriously be suggesting that having taken on and cared for an already damaged and older dog of 13 - you'd now consider ending the dog's life at 15, just in order to get to see your GC's at Christmas?!

Please say I've got this wrong. I hope that I have. Life and travel and freedom has been turned upside down worldwide. It's a horrible situation for so many of us and it's not your fault but it's certainly not your poor dog's fault. If you can't make this work for yourself and your immediate domestic responsibilities, you really should be staying home.

No kids suffered because they never got to see a dog when they wanted; but how could you live with yourself if you had the dog put to sleep, and this would be just to solve Christmas holiday problems? You say you walk your dog three times a day (in the UK?), the dog is devoted to you and would miss you terribly. So, she clearly has quality of life and you've not mentioned that she's either sick or disabled. One of my darling dogs is 14 and has been racing up and down the beach this afternoon - and she had the most terrible start in life. I wouldn't end the wonderful years she has had with us, and the joy she has given us, just to go away to any family for Christmas, and my Vet would be appalled at such a suggestion. My GC's? They'd probably never forgive me.

What a horrible.predicament for you. My heart goes out to you.
Can you take your dog with you leaving only the cat to be looked after at home?

Surely, under the circumstances your family could allow the dog to visit too?

Apologies! I blundered in and for some reason I hadn't seen all the additional information. Nothing worse that someone suggesting what the poster has already said won't work!
It sounds very difficult and you are trying to do it all. I'm sorry, this must be very stressful. I hope posting on here has at least given you a chance to think out loud as it were.
Good luck

In fact, I have just looked on one site. Even with the filter, 'allows dogs' there were over 7000 available. Loads will be empty because of Covid.

Renting somewhere sounds ideal. Perfect solution. You'd only have to rent it for 2 weeks while isolating, then could decamp to your flat.

There must be websites that list holiday homes that take dogs. It wouldn't matter where in the UK it was (within reason) as you'll only be there for isolation.

Seems to me the only problem you can see is dog walking while on quarantine in UK -easily solved plenty of dog walkers both professional and friendly neighbourhood volunteers available or use borrow my dog or homeboard with petstay or barking mad Personally I would stay at home for more reasons than the dog and I've not seen grandchildren since Feb either or my mother and we only live 90 mins away

It's a good idea walnutwhip but I think biba said she lives in Switzerland.
There may be schemes like that over there, which seems to be a solution.

I agree Callistemon they'd never forgive her and you may never forgive yourself biba.

www.housesittersuk.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzvX7BRAeEiwAsXExo-GB8ZZdJVjmM1VszBtxKQZ-Hl8isjNND_m-hSe5sUK1aLIQnkVhnxoC5NIQAvD_BwE

A house sitter to care for your dog and keep an eye on the house. Look locally or places like houseitters.co.uk. I'd never put my dog in kennels either. There are also dog walkers who offer dog boarding. Good luck x

When you take on an animal you must accept full responsibility for them, which, reading between the lines, I'm sure you do. Even a younger, less mentally scarred dog, wouldn't understand suddenly being abandoned, could never know you would one day return. Your grandchildren can be told, whatever their ages, they'll see you again, & as others have said you can all FaceTime. Then the grandchildren can move on & enjoy their day. I have had to be completely alone for the last 2 Christmases & it sounds as if you will at least have company. Your dog might not have much longer - who knows. And cats, although they might not always show it, can be equally dependent. I would never trust anyone else to look after my 14yr old dog, despite her being a demanding little rescue who'd spent her first 12 yrs obviously being completely spoilt & who occasionally drives me to distraction. Christmas will come & go very quickly & then, hopefully, onwards & upwards.

biba70

Crazygran, cand you imagine telling a 13 and 11 year olds who adore our dog- we are having her euthanazed to we can come and see you, really ?!?

They'd never forgive you!!

I would stay home and postpone xmas with your family until you are able. No reason why you have to celebrate the celebrations on exact dates. Have xmas when you all can.

Crazygran, cand you imagine telling a 13 and 11 year olds who adore our dog- we are having her euthanazed to we can come and see you, really ?!?

No Crazygran- but having to put to sleep a dog we have taken responsibility for, adopting her aged 13 after abandon previous owners - would be very hard. And our grandchildren would be devastated, as their consider her their pet.

Going separate times would be possible- but that means isolating in UK for 14 days- seeing family for about a week - then isolating from OH again on return- that is a LONG time. Greciangirl, I did say I live in Switzerland. And we always drive - and at this time, I would not fly, and can't drive there on my own (8 hours to Calais- then 2.5 hours on UK side).

OMG , you would put an animal before your Grandchildren !!!!!

If you are planning to return in the New Year I think you will need to check on the rules for taking the dog back. I believe that once we leave the EU good and proper on Jan !st then the rules change for taking a pet back into the EU. You will need to check on this but I believe they will change.

Where are you supposedly going to or coming from?
You don’t say which country.

It’s an imperfect situation that requires a decision instead of obsessing. People’s lives have been upended worldwide. I have a pregnant daughter abroad who will have none of her family around for the birth in the next 6 weeks and this will be our very first grandchild. I haven’t seen her since December and it’s been over a year for the rest of the family.