[LadyGemma]

I have had to unexpectedly travel A LOT since October. In my experience, it's best for *my* dog to stay here, in my apartment, and have someone she knows well stay with her- most times, it's been the same person, one she knows and loves (loves like family, she slept in the bed with them and everything) and who didn't work, so could give her lots and lots of attention. She kept up our routine of going to the same parks and pet stores. That is ideal, but I have some travel coming up for which this person is not available, so I am also trying to decide the best option for Moxie. I even just got a roommate in the former guest room (who was also a rover.com sitter while in graduate school), in part because I've been away so much that it's crazy to pay for a two bedroom when half the time it's just my dog sitter, in part because I want there to be someone Mox knows when I go away, even if they aren't her full time caretaker. The travel should stop after October, and now, if I have to go anywhere for more than a month, I've decided I will just take her unless she'd have to be in quarentine.

I think what works best varies depending on the individual dog. Moxie likes to be an only child and likes people better than dogs, so I decided on a sitter I know and trusted to stay here with her. Last year, the one time I went away without her, I boarded her, and I prefer this. Whatever you do, I think it's important to introduce the dog to the situation beforehand. Moxie met and played with the sitter before I left.

The problem is, of course, no one will take care of your dog like you will, often even if they love them. She's gained a few because everyone except me will give her treats and people food because she's so cute. Now she's turning her nose up at her normal food because her sitter only fed her chicken breast for the past two weeks!! She's having some accidents because sitters will let her get away with more. That will take some work the weight gain is what worries me the most because that affects her health.

I'm beyond grateful I've been able to see such amazing places and spend time in other countries, but unless you have TONS OF MONEY (like enough to fly private or first class and always stay in pet friendly hotels and hire a dog nanny on the road), it's not great for your pet. I will miss the adventure but I have missed my girl much more and look forward to always being there for her again.