What is the reason that you don't take your pet on vacation with you?

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I see that it looks like the no vote may have it on "Do you take your pet on vacation with you?" I'm sure there are a million reasons why, just curious. I guess when we were younger and had the opportunity to visit many countries we never thought about it, now that we are older, we never go on vacation without Perry and Daisy. Maybe it's an age thing. When the kids were growing up, they went, now they are on their own, the dogs go.

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[Daisy's Mom]

My family doesn't go away much because it's hard to transport my Dad around (he is in a wheelchair) but we do go up to my grandparents' beach house in Seabrook, New Hampshire. It's a great place, and right across the street from the beach. Everything there is great... except for one thing. Daisy is not allowed! My father and I are the most upset about this, but my grandfather (whom I dislike anyway) is very stubborn with his 'no dogs allowed' rule. Daisy always stays with close friends or family. I can't get myself to have her stay in a kennel, even though her vet's office runs a great one. I just couldn't leave her in a cage.

So that's why Daisy doesn't come to Seabrook with us.... grrrr! But believe me, when I am older and married and have dogs of my own, my vacations would not be complete without them! I will have to make my arrangements around them. Hotel doesn't allow dogs? Then it won't allow me either

[Logan]

Jackie,
Our "big" family vacation in the summer is held at the beach in NC, in a rented home. NO pets allowed. And it breaks all of our hearts. I can remember the summer that Lilly was just an 8 week old baby, and I had to board her because my dad would not break the rules, even for a little puppy! His name is the one on the contract. of course, everyone in our family urges him to buy a beach house so that we can bring all of our dogs with us! Don't think that will happen.

And I have to tell you, Honey is simply happier here. So, I have met a petsitter who will come twice a day while we are gone. We're testing it tomorrow through Sunday for the first time while I drive my mother to Florida for the weekend. We'll see how it goes!

Logan

[thelmalu99]

I don't take my babies with me because they would only be stressed out if I did.
I go away a lot on weekends during the summer...to see my uncle in Boston...upstate to my cousin's house or my friend's cabin...camping, etc. and it breaks my heart to leave Charlie. I don't worry about Yertle the Turtle so much because, well, he's a turtle.
My friend who owns the cabin upstate told me a heartbreaking story about when she was a child and she used to take her cat up with her on weekends. The cat disappeared and they never saw it again.
That was enough for me, Charlie's staying home where he's safe. Besides, I don't think he'd be too happy if I kept him on a leash all weekend. LOL!

[Snowy's Mommy]

I agree with Thelma...it's too stressful for Snowy! Plus he has his big sister Poo Poo the Pekingese at home with my family to keep him company when I will be away!!

[This message has been edited by Snowy's Mommy (edited June 13, 2001).]

[Maresche]

I'd love to take my girls on vacation with me, but being cats they don't like the car much. Terra adjusts well in new places, but Misao totally freaks out. She'll pick one room or corner and refuse to leave, even to use the litter box. Needless to say, the only time she leaves the Apt. is for her vet visits.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Bridget, I am so sorry your Grandfather feels that way, bringing Daisy with you would give you and your Dad such joy, your family would be complete and you wouldn't have to worry about her, plus the good time you would have with her on vacation. It sounds like he has never had a dog to love or to love him. If only he could realize how much Daisy means to you, but it is hard to change people as they get older and set in their ways.

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[jackiesdaisy1935]

Logan not many people understand the strong bond that is between all of us here and our pets. When Daisy was 10 weeks old we put her and Kona in a kennel for three days. We were going to Las Vegas for the weekend. I worried the whole time and didn't have a good time. I vowed never to do that again.
Our whole family had gone with us. Now we either take them or don't go. Our family wants us to fly to Hawaii with them and I said sure whenever we can take Perry and Daisy . I think it drives them crazy.
So now if they want us to go, we all have to look for hotels, etc that take dogs.
That's why we stick to Palm Springs and Idyllwild now.

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[Daisy's Mom]

Jackie, you're exactly right. He never had a dog he was really close to. He doesn't know what he's missing! My father and I are trying to train Daisy to help himout somehow so we can just say, "But she is a service dog! You HAVE to let her come!" But um.. LOL... so far, it hasn't gone too well. Any ideas anyone? I know this is off topic but I am trying to teach her to pick things up for Dad when he drops them... but she just doesn't get it!

[*Simelly_05*]

We take Simba on vacation with us. He has been to Tennesee, Ohio,Kentucky, Georgia, and tha best of all Michigan! We are going to Tennesee and Michigan this summer! And of course Simba is coming with. I could NOT leave him while we go on vacation. I can hardly stay at a friends house for one day because i miss Simba so much. He is such an important part in my life i cant stand to be away from him. But it is always great when you come home.. and you have a cute Simba dawgy there wagging his tail to greet u with great puppy kisses... awwww I Love My baby boy! I think its weird.. when i talk about Simba i just get a great smile on my face.. or when someone else says something good about him i just get the biggest smile of big smiles on my face!

[This message has been edited by *Simelly_05* (edited June 13, 2001).]

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Bridget, have you ever tried training her with treats, I know, I know, most dog trainers frown upon that, but to be honest with you that is how we taught Daisy and Perry to sit up, shake hands and lay down.
Maybe if you give her a little treat when she picks something up, she will get the idea. I really hope your Grandfather changes his mind, Daisy is such a wonderful dog he just doesn't realize what he is missing and it would make everybody so happy.

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[sammi]

Most of the time we don't take Buddy with us on a vacation because I am afraid he might run off!!! We board him at a nice kennel in the country where the dogs all have nice big outside runs.
We have always been encouraged to use treats for training our dog.

[Daisy's Mom]

Thanks Jackie, I have tried that. That's actually how I have trained her to do everything else she does. The problem is she won't pick anything up and I don't know how to get her to figure that out! I don't want to change the topic in here so I am going to start a new one under Dog General

[Logan]

You're such a rebel, Chuck!!! I love it!!

When I talked about taking pets to the beach, which I would love to do, I didn't mean the cats at all. They are much more self sufficient than my dogs are. And much happier to stay at home. I had the experience from HELL taking a cat on a trip once, when I felt too guilty, leaving her at home. Well, many of you have heard that story before. But we never saw Shrimp Boat again and it was terribly upsetting. I can leash the dogs, and Lilly would be most happy to accompany me anywhere, but I can honestly say that Honey is much better and happier staying at home, being checked on quite often. And the test begins tomorrow when I will be gone for three nights. A new petsitter is coming to check on everyone. Cross your fingers that it will all be ok. I'll be a wreck until I return.

[thelmalu99]

Hi Logan,
I'm sure the pet sitter will be fine. My friend recently used one for her cat, Pebbles when she went on her honeymoon(2 weeks). She was worried, but everything was fine. I'm sure your babies will be well taken care of!