Boarding my babies for the very first time.... *gulp*!

[HersheyK's Dad]

I have had to baord HK twice. Once for 2 days, once for 3 days.

My wife said that I should have just stayed home with her. I spent every second I could on a computer or my cell phone watching the kennel web cam.

[Lab Dad]

Being separated from the dogs is going to be harder on you than them. The guilt starts piling up when you start packing and they become Velcro dogs. Their faces as you leave them will be etched in mind and you will feel guilty, and you will worry about them and what they might chew up while you are gone, or that they won't eat, or sleep without you. what you don't know as you disappear off in the distance one will communicate to the others "OK. That'll do it. She's gone. let's Par-tey! They will play. They will eat. They will sleep and snore, maybe even get into trouble and when you get back they may try to lay on the "oh. Its you" routine for maybe the first two seconds or maybe they will be exuberant you came back in one piece without a cast.

They will be fine. You will be fine if you leave the guilt either at home or zipped up in its own little luggage you leave in the car way in the back under something. Go. relax. Have fun, and share pics.

[Belles mom]

I board as a side business also. Every dog is treated as if it were my own. On the couch, as many walks as they wish, pets and cuddles. Kind of like doggie day care, but 24/7. I'd get up and take a pict of my curent boarder, but he is asleep with his head on my feet.....on the couch.

Your pups will be fine!

[iammike]

In a little over a month, I'm going to have to put Charlie up for a week and the worry is already bothering me. Being overseas military makes it harder for me because most people I know are living on base in places that don't allow pets...so I have to rely on the base kennel. *sigh*

At least this kennel has plenty of room and Charlie will be able to go outside anytime he wants of his own free will which I'm sure will please him plenty. No more having to get my attention. No more having to go down 3 flights of stairs (I think he hates that), etc.

I'll be worried sick though and you're right, I'll probably miss him more than he misses me. He loves everyone and every other animal so he'll be fine I'm sure. I've heard good things about the on base kennel and it's right next door to the vet just in case.

[Baloo317]

Thanks guys!!

I definitely agree that it will be much harder on me than them, lol. It's really only Monster that I worry about, Baloo and Peanut are much more easy-going about being separated from me, probably because I've had them both since they were puppies so they know that wherever I go, I'm always coming back for them. Whether it be in an hour or an afternoon, day, no matter. Monster hasn't had the luxury of people reliably returning for him, quite the opposite actually, and I swear I can see that weigh on his little mind sometimes.

I agree that dogs "live in the moment", but they certainly don't just forget past hurts, especially significant ones. But, on the other hand maybe this will be an opportunity to show him that this IS his forever home, I will ALWAYS be back for him, and we can start building that confidence. I also hope Peanut and Baloo can "tell" him somehow that he has nothing to be afraid of, Momma will be back.

It also makes me think of those dogs who do have Peanut and Baloo's confidence in me, and then are dumped later in life by their families, how awful that must be for them. Bah I need to stop thinking about this, lol!!

[citronella]

I think it will be harder on you but remember dogs live in the moment. I don't think they have abondenment issues as humans do. I was guilty about taking Laci to daycare and was worried about stuff but I just go now and drop her off in the morning and she does great because she has a whole group of dogs to play with all day long.
Don't make a big production when you leave them, try to stay calm as they will feel your energy and enjoy your time off.