[sheltiemom]

This is mainly just a vent...ideas are welcome, but I don't see how anything could work out at this point....I was hoping to go on a vacation at the end of the summer. Both my dad and DH's family live in the Houston area, and I wanted to take a week and do a combined visit...and I wanted to bring the dogs. We haven't been out there to see the family in two years, mainly because of finances. I don't get paid vacation, so just taking the time off work would put us minus $500, but, I thought we could swing it this year...until DH's mom said she doesn't want the dogs at her place...I should add at this point that we usually stay with her....now this doesn't surprise me really, and I understand, four dogs is nuts to most people. Last time we brought the two shelties and she doesn't even want them this time, fine, her house, but the thing is, with me missing work already, we can't afford to board them and we can't afford a hotel that long.

I have about $200 to work with, so I have to find someone trustworthy to dogsit four dogs for a week for only $200, or try to get my dad to watch them...now my dad lives in Texas already, but not that close to DH's family. We usually drive through Houston where my dad lives, spend two nights, then go on to New Braunfels where DH's family lives and stay longer. It's a last ditch effort, but I'm hoping I could leave the dogs with my dad on the way through and pick them up on the way back...probably 3 nights. The kicker is my dad has 3 dogs of his own, so I would fully understand if he said no.

Blah...did anyone follow that?

 

[3212]

I'd check with vet techs at your vet...

I have two friends who tech at another vet clinic and pet-sit for people all the time. I'm going to start doing it too as soon as I am driving again. People really feel safe knowing their dogs/cats are in the hands of someone who 1) works at their veterinarian's office 2) knows the animals from working at the vet and 3) has enough knowledge to know if something might be wrong.

I don't know if you know any of your techs...or know if they pet-sit at all. But I know my friends have done a week of watching people's pets for less than 200 dollars.

 

[Jr. Dog Expert]

Well thats a bummer...what's a vacation without our pooches, right?lol.jk. Sheesh you would think that anyone would be willing to dog-sit 4 dogs for $200, truth be told I dog-sat three dogs for a week for free.lol....then again that was when I didn't have a dog of my own yet Unfortunately don't have any suggestions but I am hoping you find someone that you trust that will be able to take care of them.

 

[terryjeanne]

Too bad you didn't know an older teenager that enjoyed dogs. My daughter looked after a neighbour's dog for a week. She'd go over two or three times a day and would usually just spend an afternoon reading her book and keeping him company.

I agree, someone at the vet's office might know someone. I know I would have a very hard time leaving my dog for a week. Actually, I've never been away from my dog for more than two nights.

 

[Elana55]

My golly.. I used to do this for next to nothing for people... seems to me there ought to be someone who could responsibly do this. For a week. In this economy.

 

[sheltiemom]

So you guys think $200 is reasonable then? I'm definitely going to look around for a pet sitter in that case...my dogs are kind of difficult, that's the only thing that worries me. I'm nervous about leaving them, I've had a bad experience with a pet sitter before...neighborhood teen, dunno what happened, but came home to poop all over the house. On the other hand, a vacation without them would be nice, I'm being very selective though.

 

[FilleBelle]

You could check around your local community college, too. Some older kid taking summer classes might be interested in a week's worth of work.

I have a full time job, so I don't NEED housesitting money, but when I do housesit for a friend or family member, I ask for $20/night for one or two dogs. With four, I might up it to $30. That's still only $210 for a week, though. I think you can find someone to do it for $200.

 

[sheltiemom]

Well, I have a co-worker that has offered to stay at my house for the week for $200, so tentatively that's what's going to happen. I'm pretty nervous about it, this person doesn't have any dogs of their own but has in the past and has cat sat for our boss before. We talk at work but I can't say I know this person all that well...still more than someone I would find through an ad. Basically the main thing I'm worried about is one or more escaping while I'm gone, and I don't want them alone in the yard at all while I'm gone....quick question, only two are currently crated, if you were me, would you dig out the other two crates so this person could crate them all if they got overwhelming or something? I'm thinking yes, but I'd have to order two new pans...cha-ching...

 

[Elana55]

What is your GUT telling you? If your gut is telling you (in spite of nerves) the person is OK.. then go with it. If not, go with THAT.

What is your gut on the crates?

Are you going to have the person come to your house, meet the dogs and then go out back and have her do a little recall work? Are you going to see what you can do about the yard fence (check it and make sure it is good)? Just ideas for you to consider.

I would want this person to spend time with the dogs and watch her with them b4 making an absolutely final decision.

 

[tirluc]

sheltiemom, i have a great idea....you can bring all of them up here and i'll watch them all for nothing ....'coarse, you have that extra drive up here, but still ....they'd have a pack of 4 to run w/, they'd be at the club playing ball for 2-3 hrs a day and "swimming" in the kiddie pool, they'd get to sleep on the bed (of coarse they'd have to find that spot for them, but we'd make room).....

and, if you want, you can just stay here too and the heck w/ the family that don't want your dogs

 

[wvasko]

Sheltiemom
I sure don't like it but I know we can all use a vacation, so I'm gonna send good vibes at you in hopes of a good vacation and no home/dog problems. I would leave crates for all dogs, he/she may not need them but better to have and not need, than need and not have. Definitely get person there to meet dogs(per elana's advice)and if possible take one dog with you as it would make job a tad easier for sitter.

 

[sheltiemom]

I think getting her to meet the dogs before hand is a good idea, and I'll probably go off of that. Honestly my gut is saying don't leave them with anyone, not that I don't trust anyone, it's just that my dogs are difficult...not to me so much, but I was thinking about all the things I would need to tell her, don't feed the shelties together, don't let them out unsupervised b/c they bark, Shiner has something seperation anxiety-ish...I dunno, it's just alot.

DH's dad has offered to watch them, he's in Texas too and has one dog...it would take us about 3 hours out of the way at the beginning and end of our trip, but I trust him (and it's free) and we would also get to see him, which we weren't planning on otherwise. This option is looking more and more attractive the more I think about it....and I haven't asked my dad yet...my step mom is a vet tech, I know they'd love to have them while we're there, but that would put them at 7 once we went on to DH's mom's.

Tirluc, I wish you were closer, I'd definitely leave them with you...they wouldn't want to come home though .

 

[wvasko]

DH's dad sounds good even with the extra drive, just imagine the guilt trip if something happened at home, with as you say difficult dogs to watch. You would be beating yourself up mentally for yrs.

Tirluc would you like to adopt an older couple (my retirement plan that has had no takers yet)we don't bark or fight.

 

[hanksimon]

I missed something. I understand not using a co-worked, but what about one of the Vet techs from your local Vet? They usually know the dogs, are good with dogs, and fairly inexpensive.

Also, in my area we have a lot of "professional" dog sitters that charge $15/day for one dog ...

- Hank Simon

 

[tirluc]

DH's dad sounds good even with the extra drive, just imagine the guilt trip if something happened at home, with as you say difficult dogs to watch. You would be beating yourself up mentally for yrs.

Tirluc would you like to adopt an older couple (my retirement plan that has had no takers yet)we don't bark or fight.

c'mon over, wvasko....we're in the process of moving (real far....right out our back door and in the next house) but it has an upstairs area that you could have (an almost finished attic) and it has a fenced yard (we have no yard, per se)....it will be quite interesting when i have alllll the dogs there (mine plus the 3 i take care of periodically) as the kitchen is about 1/3 less than here....but it has a fenced in yard

 

[sheltiemom]

I've looked into alot of different things...asked a vet tech friend of mine, she can't do it herself but is going to ask around for me. Emailed two people from ads, one got back to me ($15/day)...that's a maybe, but I don't know this person at all...I at least know my co-worker somewhat...looked into Fetch Pet Services, which looked awesome but is still very much cost prohibitive for me @ $60/day.

Nothing is decided yet.

 

[wvasko]

Tirluc
Congratulations on the fenced yard as that is always a huge jump forward in dog ownership land. Thank you for kind offer but the wife was kinda interested in an ocean front adoption program. Women, go figure.

 

[tirluc]

Tirluc
Thank you for kind offer but the wife was kinda interested in an ocean front adoption program.

well, if you ever want the snow and humidity aspect, keep us in mind....

Women, go figure.

watch it, Bub, i resemble that remark.... (it's all in our conspiracy to drive you men insane)