Good news, bad news

[Linz1012]

Cross posted from another forum;

Good news; I can get Honey booked in for her spay.
Bad news; The dogs and I aren't going on holiday after all.

Explanation (in case it's not clear). Honey's come into season.

I'm gutted! I've been sitting here, racking my brains for an alternative, but I'm coming up empty. There's no one I can trust who's in a position to have her - bro has an intact male dog, and has to take his daughter to dancing competitions all weekend and dad's got a new cat, who neither me nor Honey have met yet, so while I know Honey's OK with cats, there's no way of knowing how the cat is with dogs.

It's too late for boarding kennels - even if I could find one that'll take an in-season bitch at short notice.

And even if the site would be happy to allow an in-season bitch on site, it's not exactly fair on other owners with male dogs.

(I'm talking to the group of women I was supposed to go with, and we're trying to brainstorm ideas).

Hats off to you, Honey Monster. You've got impeccable timing, girly.

 

[JudyN]

I'm sorry it looks like you're going to miss your holiday

You can get deodorant for in-season dogs - I don't know how effective it is. Would an option be to go on holiday just in case it works out and all the nearby dogs are female and/or uninterested, but be ready to head for home the moment it becomes clear it's going to be a problem for other owners?

 

[Linz1012]

I'm sorry it looks like you're going to miss your holiday

You can get deodorant for in-season dogs - I don't know how effective it is. Would an option be to go on holiday just in case it works out and all the nearby dogs are female and/or uninterested, but be ready to head for home the moment it becomes clear it's going to be a problem for other owners?

Not really. I drive, but don't have a car, so am dependant on my mum and her partner.

 

[Mad Murphy]

Oops, not handy ..I hope someone comes up with a workable solution for you..

 

[Linz1012]

My SIL suggested my bro's best friend, which would have been ideal - he's already had Honey's seal of approval (she climbed onto his lap and promptly fell asleep ), I'd trust him, and he has a walled garden. And no dogs of his own.

But. He's already committed to looking after my bro's (intact) DDB cross and staying at theirs.

 

[merlina]

Emergency professional dog-sitter? (Will cost for a good one, of course )

 

[Linz1012]

I was talked into going, and - against my better judgement - taking Honey with me. :Bag Mum phoned the holiday rep, and even she said "these things happen. Just get yourselves away."

In a way, I'm glad I did. Milly loved it, and I got to spend so much more 1-2-1 time with her than I would have if I'd stayed at home. It was also nice to actually have others (family) on the outside see my relationship with Milly, and get their feedback. Sometimes I get lost inside my own head and fill it with self-toxic thoughts, like perhaps Milly would be better off with someone else.

As for Honey, my family had her more than I did, but if ever I'm in the same position again, I'll stick to my guns and refuse to go. We were lucky - the one rule dog owners did seem to stick to is "dogs much be kept on lead at all times," so we weren't plagued by male dogs (shame they didn't all follow the "dog excrement must be picked up immediately" rule :Banghead ). I walked her late at night and early morning, which is what I would have done even if I were at home. Otherwise, I kept her on the veranda or close to the lodge.

We're back home now - all knackered. Some pics;

Me ( well - some of me) and My Girls:

"What are those "Quacker" things?

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

I’m so glad you were able to go unfortunate timing!
I would have suggested a doggy nappy, looks silly but I got one for Roxy before she was spayed so that she didn’t make a mess on the floors when she was in season. It worked well, obviously had to remove for toilet breaks but she was good with it, kept it on. Just a idea if anything similar should happen in the future