Well here is my dilema. We are going to the States for our home leave for 4 weeks this summer. I have to decide what to do with my Yorkie. She is 8 months old now. I really do not want to put her in a kennel. I would prefer to have someone come and stay at my house with her. (I may have someone who can do this, but not positive yet) Or I take her to a friends house. I'm just curious. What will she think? Will she think we have given her up if we take her to a kennel or to a friends house or even having her stay home with someone else watching her? It's a very long time to be away from her, but the trip is neccessary. My mom has emphysema and is getting worse, so it may be the last time I will see her. Can anyone tell me what experience they have had with their pups and leaving them for a long length of time. I'm so worried and concerned about this already. Shirl

I think in these situations you must think what your priorities are - you must visit your mother. You can't take the pup with you, so you have no choice. I am sure that your pup will be absolutely fine with the arrangements you make. She may be a little 'off' with you when you return, but it will all settle down. Please visit your mum and try not to worry about the pup :)

Daisy

Shirl babes I just thought of something, when your friend is looking after Precious bums why dont you before hand have made a tape of you talking to her (precious) and make friend play it to her, now I know people may say this is daft, but.... at least she wont forget you then will she cos shes constantly being reminded... well I like the idea :D

Thanks Daisy, that did make me feel better. I just know that whatever I do, I have to feel comfortable with it, or I'll worry the whole 4 weeks. She was SO difficult to housetrain as well. I don't want her to revert back. So I have to take that into consideration as well.

Lynsey, thats a good idea about taping my voice. That should help her, I hope. I'm going to do that.

Brianless, without saying a whole lot, I don't think that is an option. But thanks for the advise.

I'm just going to have to get use to the idea that I have to leave her, I haven't a choice, and hope that where ever she stays, she won't forget us. Shirl :(

I am sure that she won't forget you. We had to leave our rescue dog in kennels for two weeks. We had had a tough few years with elderly relative problems and needed a holiday. Because of the problems that we had with him, we couldn't take him with us, neither could we leave him with anyone or at home with a sitter. The kennels was the only answer (our trainer runs them and promised to look after him ). OK - it was only for 2 weeks, not 4, but we were really worried what might happen to him after all the work that we had put into sorting his problems out. When we picked him up he was very excited and ran round the garden like a lunatic - but he was absolutley fine and hadn't changed at all.

Hope that helps

Daisy

Speaking as a breeder, have you thought of contacting her breeder to board her? Many breeders especially in the first year will be happy to do this!

I used to know an elderly couple that had a caravan and I used to look after their minature yorkie when they went away. They sometimes went for a weekend and sometimes up to 8 weeks. The little dog loved us both and stayed quite happily with either of us. Also my newfie girl was only 14 week old pup when my mum came to the house to look after her while we were away for 3 weeks. She was fine too, except my mum gave her treats and it took ages to stop her begging for our food afterwards.

Feeling better now about the situation. Thanks to all of you for posting. I'm glad to know that it shouldn't be a problem and she won't forget us. :D I'll probably miss her more than she will me! :D Shirl

We've just had to do the same thing with Minx, who is now nearly 7 months old. Normally, 'Im indoors' is at home all day (I work full time, sometimes peculiar long hours), but he's working away for ten weeks, and rather than leave Minx at home on her own all day, we sent her on her 'holidays' to my mothers (She's retired and is at home full time). Minx had only met my mother and her dog a few times before this, and we worried that she'd find it strange, or forget who we were - no such thing, we saw her this weekend for the first time in five weeks, she was over the moon, and very full of herself!! Awwww, bless!! Now I have my *^&*$@£^&! car back from the garage, we'll be going over every weekend until she can come back home in June. I think we definately miss her more than she misses us, but we can be certain of a very warm welcome!

Jenna that was so reasurring to hear. Thanks for that information. I hope to come home and get a face full of doggy kisses when I return. :D She does that now even if I'm gone for 1/2 hour. Can't imagine what she'll be like after 4 weeks!!! Shirl :D