Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Folks,
Hopefully this is the best place for this post...
As many of you tripawd parents can relate with, care for our special buddies gets challenging when trying to figure out care if trying to go for a vacation. I am looking for any suggestions as to what others have done with their tripawds for short duration holidays (5-7 days)?
I am looking for someone to provide near full-time care for Tahoe, given the demands of being a tripawd, age and medications. I am not going to board Tahoe at a kennel, never have and not an option now. Family cannot manage him and we don't have friends we can count on. It is a real dilemma as I am very protective of Tahoe's care, hence we haven't had a holiday since amputation (coming up a year...yeah).
Any great ideas which have worked are most welcome.
Thanks again!!
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
You are such an awesome pawrent. What about going to a dog-friendly B&B? One without slippery steps would be ideal!
What about renting a RV and going on a little road trip? That's our favorite way to travel with the pooch.
I'm curious to see what ideas others have. When do you think you'll go?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Do you have someone you would feel comfortable with having them stay in your home? (For a fee, I mean) Have you checked with your vet's office, or similar, to see if any of the staff there do home care/housesitting?
Our housesitter is also one of our vet techs, and so I have complete faith in her ability to handle any issues that arise. She took great care of Sam and all his meds and his routine and his feeding details, and our CRF cat who also got daily meds and fluids and special food, AND the other four "normal" furkids. I ADORE her, and she is worth her weight in gold 
That being said...I don't know Tahoe's specifics, but it could be that people are capable of handling more than you think, esp. if it's only a few days, and you give them some "practice" beforehand. I had this total insistence that no one else could take care of Sam the "right" way, and it was too much for mere mortals to manage, and all that 
(This includes my husband, FWIW...I leave like 8 page notes on care and meds and feeding and all of that for him every time I leave. :p)
But I do think being able to let go and let someone else handle it and keep living our own lives is important. Hard, to be sure, but important...and so I leave them all to Jacqie when we're gone, and she knows how to get a hold of us if need be--and for the trips where she can't (when we're in the wilderness, etc.), I trust her to make sound decisions and I know her training will help her in a "crisis" (god forbid).
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
That's great advice Megan. I do think that we as pawrents tend to be so overprotective at times, we don't give others in our lives enough credit for being able to handle our animals. There's a big payoff when we do though, peace of mind once we see that things can go right when they're in the capable care of someone we trust, and of course a good time away from daily worries
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've had great success with sittercity and care.com
I would browse both websites and see which site has more users in your area.. It seems like depending on where you live one site is more popular than the other. I've always hired dog sitters as I'm more comfortable keeping my pup at home in his environment with the same routine.
Good luck with your search!
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!
You are likley correct in stating,that as tripod parents, we tend be very over-protective. Megan - yopu cracked me up in saying you don't even trust your husband to care for Sam in your absence, as I feel that way with my wife when i travel (which is too much).
Good idea about asking our vets regarding one of the girls who may be interested in housesitting. We have used house/pet sitter in the past to look after animals and house but they are no longer an option.
I love the RV idea as we have always wanted to trek into Alaska...hmm, maybe an option.
I will have a look at the two websites you mentioned as they don't sound familiar, as maybe they are just US based (we are in British Columbia, CA).
The hunts continues with renewed vigour. Thanks again!!
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
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