Going on Vacation

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I am headed out of town (out of the country actually) tomorrow for a week long vacation in paradise. Worst part about the trip, however, is that my sweet little muppet cannot come with me. We have a pet/house sitter living at our house for the week to take care of everything, but it is my baby Ragley and my first time apart and, needless to say, I am a WRECK. She has a bit of separation anxiety (ok, we both do) so I was going to board her at a day care/boarding facility, but none that I visited really caught my attention. For one- Ragley is extremely people-oriented. She looovesss people! She enjoys playing with dogs as well, but she is always sure to make her rounds and check in with the humans. Even the most deluxe package ($$$) at one of these places had at the most 10-15 extra minutes of one-on-one love time a day.

Then one of Ragley's doodle friends suggested dogvacay.com and let me tell you- THIS is better. The dogs go stay with people in their own homes and you can sort by area and filter through various amenities (fenced yards, etc.) to find a good match. Then you contact the people to set up an introduction time and decide if it would be a good fit for you and your dog. The people have ratings, references, repeat customer statistics, and they send daily photos to you while you are away. Ragley and I went and met with a woman from there and sat in her home for more than an hour and I knew this was going to be a much better fit for us. She will have free roam of a house, a fenced in backyard, 24/7 supervision, she will get brushed and bathed if needed, walked occasionally, playtime with other dogs, and unlimited belly rubs and someone to talk to her and pet her all day. She will get fed and go to bed on her exact schedule from home. All this for less than what I would have paid at the boarding facility. It is genius!

One of the more heartbreaking things I've had to do is go drop off my sweet little angel at the sitter's. It was not nearly as heartbreaking for Ragley though! She was greeted by name and with loving pats and she just waltzed right in and made herself at home. The sitter was so nice and made sure to continue to reassure me that I would be picking up a very spoiled dog when I got back, confirmed my best contact information, and even asked when I would be going to sleep through the week so she could try to make sure to send pictures and updates before I went to bed each night. 

I had no idea services like this existed so I just thought I would share my experience with you guys! I haven't even left yet and I am already so happy with my choice! I'm a heartbroken doodle mommy without my little Ragamuffin, but I feel so much better knowing she is in the comfort of a home and under the care of a fellow dog lover!

I'm a dogvacay.com customer for life!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have not used this service but my dogs stay in someone's home when I am away. Although not less expensive than boarding it has worked out well for us.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sounds wonderful! I'm sure Ragley will have a great time on her "vacation", relax and enjoy yours, too! 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I totally understand you anxiety Stephanie!  My DH and I went to Vegas for only four days and I was so worried and to say a wreck would be sugar coating it.  We checked out places and they did not even come close to where I would put Libby.  All our family works and their dogs are outside all day and definitely that would shock Libby.  I know, she is spoiled, but it just wouldn't work.  We actually know a lady in our neighbor that is a professional dog walker and sitter and we see her almost every day while walking Libby.  I called her and she came over twice and visited with Libby. Played ball (Libby's favorite) fed her some treats and Libby showed her all around the house.  She stayed at our house while we were gone, sent pictures, videos and called me a couple of times and everything was GREAT!   Libby would not eat the first day, but soon realized she better by the second day.  We came home to the most excited Doodle we have ever seen.  She went back and forth between my DH and I with kisses, snuggles and happy cires.  So try and relax, they do better than we do and have a great, great vacation!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

That is great..I hope you both enjoy your vacations!!

[Deborah Brown]

We found great sitters through dogvacay too!  At this point, they could charge double and I'd still take my dogs to their home.  I have three doodles and one is afraid of new people.  He couldn't handle a kennel situation with rotating staff.  The dogvacay people have an acre of land.  They are landscapers and can work at home. Kenny makes time to play fetch with Wayne throughout the day. My doodles adore them and it IS a vacation for them.  When I drop them off, they are so excited to see their friends.

Stephanie, I understand about the separation anxiety.  Even when I'm sitting on a beach in January, I miss my doodles!  Have a great vacation!

[Suzanne & Jack]

Completely understand your anxiety. We have only boarded our boys once. We have been fortunate to find a sitter that stays at our house. The boys get to stay in their home and someone is in the house while we're gone. And with 3 dogs it is definitely cheaper than boarding. Enjoy your vacation.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

Thank you for posting. I looked and found one 5 minutes from me with amazing reviews! Will keep in my favorites. Enjoy your vacay away!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I understand your separation anxiety --Finn and I both have it :)  He has always stayed with one particular friend who does petsitting in her home when I'm away and this works out well.  But I've been looking for a back-up so thanks for sharing and I'll check this out.  I had to leave Finn for a 5 day trip when he was about 17 weeks old and it was fun for him - and misery for me:)  Pictures helped. Enjoy paradise! 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I hate leaving Quincy, too.  I travelled alot in my younger days and now would be just as happy to never get on a plance again.  But my son is doing an internship at Disney with no vacation time, so if I wanted to see him,  I had no choice!  

Sometimes you have to leave one baby to see your other!  

We had a lovely lady stay in the house and all was fine!  and Disney was great-both trips! 

Enjoy your vacation, Stephanie! 

[Brittney & Cally]

I also use dogvacy! I was just looking at my options a while back for when I go to the beach this summer and will not be able to take her and that is the amazing website I found! I actually already set up the meet and greet and have had Cally stay there once for a night just to see how she did. I loved it and so did she! I am so glad you found the site too!

[Leslie J]

It's so hard to leave our doodles! It sounds like Ragley will have a little vacation too! Cocoa is also a "people" dog, and she stays with our neighbors when we're on vacation. The photos they send of her when we're away are so comforting.

It's good to know about dogvacay.com for the future if I need it- I'd never heard of it- thanks for sharing.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

It is so hard to leave them, but it sounds like you found a good solution! Enjoy your time away!!