I guess I'm the only one here on your daughter's side. I understand that 9 hours a day is a long time for an animal to be at home alone, but if you daughter lives on base then she could just drive home at lunch for some hugs and a potty break. And people usually live near the bases when they're overseas, so again, she could just drive home and visit her pup. A lot of people work full time jobs with dogs, and not all of them can even make it home during lunch to give them a break. I work full time, and there are days I can't make it home to visit, and now I won't be able to make it home because I live too far away. I'll be looking for a dog walker once I get on a set schedule, which are easy to find...especially overseas, lots of military spouses don't work while in Europe/Asia and find little things to do to make a little cash on the side.
If you daughter can afford the $6k to ship Ophelia over, then I say follow through and send her. My super sensitive cat came out of cargo just fine and we came from Italy to the East Coast, Rizzo flew in cabin with me, so he was fine... Just saying, dogs love their mommies, and Ophelia will probably be happier with her family, even if it's not the the most ideal of situations. |