Need some advice please!

[njean]

I have a small dilemma:

It's actually become better within the last hour or so because my husband asked me to change the trip dates in hopes that I would change my mind & travel w/him to Austin to visit the children for Christmas. Here goes:

The original plan was to leave on 12/22 & return on 12/26. Being that I have 2 very spoiled dogs & 2 cats, I had told him I could NOT travel w/him because I would be worried sick of how my animals were especially in mid of winter when they can't be left outside during the night & even during the day if the weather is inclement. My pets have always slept inside the garage which is connected to the house, during the winter. And who do I find especially during the holiday week, that would make sure that they were put up in the garage at night?? I have already lost 2 very special kitties which I'm sure ended up on a coyote's dinner table & they disappeared during the day!!!

Needless to say, my hubby was very upset & it has been a source of friction for the last few days between us! This morning though, he said, try to book the travel for after the holidays & just for the weekend because he has to return to work on Monday, 12/29. So, I was able to book flights, Thank God, leaving late on 12/25 & returning on Sunday 12/28. So we'd only be gone approx. 3 days.

Now, this is what I was thinking of doing:

Since my cats are both litter box trained, I could leave them locked up in the garage for the duration with enough food & water & then have the next door neighbor's kid, hopefully, come & let the dogs out in the morning & then lock them up in the back porch to feed & water them & then back into the garage at night. And if the weather is bad during the day, just leave the dogs in the garage during the day too. I wouldn't mind coming to clean out dog "dodo" when we return as long as I knew they were safe from predators & the elements.

Do you think I'm doing the right thing? I really want to accompany my husband to see the kids, since we have a 3-year old great, grandbaby we have not even met in person yet!!!

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Phyllis]

Go for it Norma, your grandchildren and kids are much too important not to!!

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I agree with Phyllis. The cats will be fine. Our cats stay indoors. We often leave ours for weekends and even occasionally as long as 4 days with 2 clean litter boxes and plenty of food & water. The only thing is that you talk to the neighbor kid about making sure the cats don't escape while he is putting the dogs in the garage. If the cats are used to being outside, they will probably be standing at the door when he opens it.

You need to visit with your children and grandchildren. Life's too short to miss out on such special times and you never know when it's going to be too late.

 

[Bina]

Yes, it's important to visit the grandchild, but it's equally important to ensure the safety of your pets.
Is there not an adult who could go over twice a day and take care of things?
In the past I've even hired a friend to "live in" while I went away. Now I just don't go.

 

[njean]

I agree with Phyllis. The cats will be fine. Our cats stay indoors. We often leave ours for weekends and even occasionally as long as 4 days with 2 clean litter boxes and plenty of food & water. The only thing is that you talk to the neighbor kid about making sure the cats don't escape while he is putting the dogs in the garage. If the cats are used to being outside, they will probably be standing at the door when he opens it.

You need to visit with your children and grandchildren. Life's too short to miss out on such special times and you never know when it's going to be too late.

I've thought of this too Lisa & I'm stressed about it all! But I guess, I'm gonna have to go or get divorced over the whole thing!!!

 

[kerri73]

Maybe even look for pet sitters in your area that you could hire. Sometimes they get pricey - I'm totally with ya (and thankfully my husband is too - we both get super stressed about the welfare of our pets... you can tell we don't have kids yet) I'm sure we'd be the same even with kids, though. We get so attached to our pets! Good luck - If you lived closer I'd totally help ya out!

 

[geebee]

NJ,

It sounds like you have things covered so please go and enjoy your visit. You know the four legged babies will be fine although they will complain when you get back. Just give them lots of love and all will be fine.

 

[zipper2]

I know how it is Norma.......same here with my surgery

comming up and when the hell it is exactly i don't know

But the dog will have to be let out and my daughter works

all day and cats come and go on the deck.

I've made arrangements for someone to come in when we go

but i made clear to hubby when surgerys done and i give him

the peace sign ........Leave back for the animals,i will be fine.

My mom's a candiate although gonna depend on weather to

and if 80 feet of snow for travel. I agree with Lisa and it will

be fine but better if we could take em with us or stay put.

it causes fricktion everytime here also as to who stays home

who goes my hubby gets ticked over it too.

I wonder why they get over it (LOL)

I am too attached and soon as surgery's done i told hubby

you gotta head home .......my tests were a week and the

dog had a hard time......hes better but i'm going again

Afew days Norma is like a life sentence but they will be fine

with arrangements you've planned and hubby will be happy too.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[Bina]

Zipper, I'm the same way.
I really wanted my OHS in the fall so that my house would not be too hot or too cold while I was away. I had a list of pet sitters and made a schedule in great detail, it was a good thing too, because I was gone for 16 days.
We don't go on vacation anymore, but the last time my hubby went with my daughter across the country to visit his parents and I stayed home with the critters.

 

[Shawneegirl]

Hi
I know the feeling since I have a cat, a goat, two dogs and a horse. I leave my cat and board the dogs. The neighbor feeds the other two. Have you checked with kennels and vets. Not sure about N.M. but my vet boards for 6.00 a day. I would go on my trip but myself I just feel better with the dogs at a vet or kennel. The cat I don't worry about as much. Where in N.M. do you live? I lived in Angel Fire two years and miss is sooooo much
Bobbie

 

[Nancy]

I have a terrific pet sitter that comes and takes care of my animals when I am gone. Many of them anticipate working on some of the holidays. Why not give one a call and see. Mine walks the dog, and plays with her and will come once, twice or three times per day whatever I would like.

Teenagers might also want to make a little money during the school break. They could surely manage to come at least once on Christmas day.

 

[skeptic49]

We also use a friend to pet sit...he is paid and it's comrorting to know that the animals are cared for when you're away. Maybe this is an option...hiring a friend?

Jim

 

[njean]

Thank you all for the great advice! I will definitely ask around to see if someone would make sure to come by once in the morning to let them out (the dogs) & then again in the evening to put them in.

I have boarded the dogs in the past but I was told that they were soooo sad & didn't want to eat or interact w/the other pets at all when they were there, so that's out. And Bridgett, my schnauzher(?)/terrier mix, is 10 years old, it would probably be to stressful for her.

And Wally, the cat, he's 15 years old, very hard of hearing, arthritic, hardly any teeth left so he can only eat soft, can food. Molly, the kitten, she'll eat anything but she's also into everything!!!

When we went to Alaska for two weeks a few months back, my next door neighbor took good care of them. But, she has gotten a job now & I wouldn't want to impose on her at all. Also, we were gone in May, the weather was just right & they didn't have to be in the garage at night & I didn't have Molly (the kitten) then!

Here a picture of the cats ----

View attachment 6396

 

[njean]

Thank you all for the great advice! I will definitely ask around to see if someone would make sure to come by once in the morning to let them out (the dogs) & then again in the evening to put them in.

I have boarded the dogs in the past but I was told that they were soooo sad & didn't want to eat or interact w/the other pets at all when they were there, so that's out. And Bridgett, my schnauzher(?)/terrier mix, is 10 years old, it would probably be to stressful for her.

And Wally, the cat, he's 15 years old, very hard of hearing, arthritic, hardly any teeth left so he can only eat soft, can food. Molly, the kitten, she'll eat anything but she's also into everything!!!

When we went to Alaska for two weeks a few months back, my next door neighbor took good care of them. But, she has gotten a job now & I wouldn't want to impose on her at all. Also, we were gone in May, the weather was just right & they didn't have to be in the garage at night & I didn't have Molly (the kitten) then!

Here a picture of the cats ----

View attachment 6396

And a picture of the dogs ----

View attachment 6397

 

[Nancy]

Your pets are very cute. I hope you can find someone to help you out.

 

[Bina]

Norma, your pets are pawsitively adorable!

 

[Dale]

I have 2 cats and 2 dogs and am lucky to have a petsitter come in when we are away. I hope you find someone to help you out. I would feel better about that than leaving them in the garage with the next door neighbour's son to look after things. But on the other hand, three days isn't alot of time. Good luck -- but I bet you will be able to sort it out.

 

[Superbob]

Those are absolutely adorable pets.

Personally, if I couldn't find an adult to keep them, I would leave them at a good kennel in preference to trusting a kid to let them in and out. Too many things can go wrong. When we absolutely have to, we leave our Sadie dog at the vet's boarding. She hates it but at least we know she's well taken care of and secure there.