Hiya, Pet-People

My teenaged son adopted a thrown-out-of-a-car staffie female a few weeks ago without thinking about practicalities (his heart ruled his mum's more rational head!).

Anyway, the problem is that a) we have a week-long holiday booked from June 10th, and b) he's about to start work on a three-day-a-week basis very soon. So, we now have to find a solution.

I don't really want the poor dog to go into kennels while we're away as a) I can't really afford it and b) I don't think it's fair for her, as we suspect she was a yard dog before she came to us (long nails, sore pads when she started going for walks and rubbed-off patches on her elbows), and all she wants to do now is snuggle up to the nearest human and never leave their side. Now, maybe I'm just being unduly sentimental, but I'm just not comfortable with the idea of leaving her in kennels.

The other problem is that my son's about to start work, and I don't want her left in the house for twelve hours a day. Quite apart from how she'd feel, the fact is that she just isn't going to be able to ahem, 'hold on' for that length of time....

So - does anyone have any ideas?

She's a smashing little dog, really good around humans. However, we think she had bad experiences of other staffies (maybe kept in the yard with her?) because when she spots one (we always walk her on a lead, just in case) she goes all snarly and tries to reach it. I've walked her with my sister's two labs, and she was absolutely fine, to the extent of ignoring them like they didn't exist.

However, we've not had her long so I can't really make any other comment apart from what I've said. She's completely house-trained, as long as taken for regular (even short) walks etc.

Is there anyone who fosters dogs who could take her when we're on hol (obviously we'd be pleased to contribute financially)? Or do we have to look at kennels?

Also, does anyone have any ideas about what we can do about my son's new work situation? He needs to be working, but I also obviously don't want the dog to suffer because of it.

Advice would be very gratefully received!

Thanks a lot. :)

maybe a dog walker for when hes at work?if your near me id be happy to help i im not at workmyself and also there is people who animal sit in there own homesor people on holidays ectx

You could do with getting a dog walker when your son's at work. I'm afraid I'm fully booked so can't fit her in. I use Mutlins on Gleedless Road when I go on holidays and they're brilliant but are more expensive than kennels. Good luck. I hope you gert sorted.

I'd recommend a dog walker for the time scale you're talking,12 hours is a long time. Do you have a neighbour who could let her out for a pee?

As for holidays - i've used Hollows Kennels @ Woodhouse and just about to use Mosborough Kennels for our crew.

I'm racking my brains for somebody nearby SHSheff :(

There have been a couple of dog shares arranged through this forum in the past, where somebody who can't commit to a dog or who isn't allowed one by their landlord gets a dog for a couple of days a week when the owner is working

Would it be possible to drop the dog off on the way to work if somebody in a different area was to offer?

which areas would you be looking for a helper in?

lol strix that takes me back to good old days with my lab for past 7 years we alays had a nice 45min walk and used to drop her off at me mums so she could dog sit d then a 45min walk on way back, therefor walkign and dropping off all at the same time, it was great lol wish i could do it still but i cant