Need Input about Vacation Problems
 

My parents and I are going on a cruise next for two weeks. I have three yorkies at home (12, 6, 1) who are my babies and my world. I do not to board them at a kennel, I would rather have them in there own home and comfortable. I have two options:

Option #1:
My brother lives about 2 blocks away. He is very good with my dogs and they love and know him. He would come over in the morning before he goes to work which is (right now) 10am. Maybe stay for about an hour. Go to work and then come back over after work at 6:30/7pm stay for a while and then go home. Depend on how long he stays he will come over one last time to let them out. Now I weekends he will probably stay a littler longer. He can not stay the night because he has a wife and his own dog at home.

Option #2:
My dad has this older lady at work that is willing to watch our dogs for us. She has watched my co-workers animals before so she has good reviews. Like I said she is an older lady, loves animals but can not have dogs at her condo. She would live at our house for two weeks and would sleep there too. She does work so she will be working from 8-5pm (which is what my family does). Then she would come striaght back to our home.

Which option sounds better? I like them both. I like it when my brother watches them but I think 2 weeks is long plus he has a house, wife and his dog to take care of too.

Then this lady I don't really know and my dogs are really skidish around new people. However if I have a couple of meet and greets with her they should be fine.

What would you do and would you trust that lady to live in your home for two weeks.

I hate leaving my babies but this vacation is once in a lifetime for us. :(

I think that both options have their pluses. But I think I would maybe go with my brother watching them, because I would just feel more comfortable then having someone that I dont know live at my house. I think your pups will do fine, they will most likely sleep all day anyways. Let us know what you decide, and have fun on your cruise! :)

For that length of time, I think I'd look into option 2. Maybe have her come to the house and see how she is w/ the doggies; if it seems okay, having someone there would be really nice. Even though they know your brother, they might get a little lonely not having someone there more. Either way, you can't really lose here...but if it were me, I'd prefer option 2 with the length of the vacation. :)

I agree with this.

But both options are good.

Maybe have your brother do it for one week and the other lady do it for the other week?

I would go with option 2. 2 weeks is a long time for the babies to stay alone at nite. I would go with option 2 and have your brother check in with the lady daily if possible.

I would go with option 2 as Yorkies are very social and love to have people around them. When I traveled over night I had a woman come to my house and stay with my dogs and they loved her.

I think it would be a good idea to have your brother do a spot check but your little ones would have someone with them all night long.

I might prefer option 1.After all,it's in your brother's home,and your pet maybe can make new friends.


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I like option 2 also. I wouldn't like my dogs to be home alone all night. Right now I am away from my home for 2 weeks and we have a friend staying at our place to watch our 6 dogs and 10 birds. He is a friend and has done this for us several times now and we know we can trust him, so perhaps it's a bit different. Maybe your brother could be there as back up, in case it doesn't work out. Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Definitely option 2.
Option 1 wouldn't even be a consideration for me.
It sounds like your brother would be there 2 hours max per day and that is just not enough time for two weeks straight. Ellie would be so devastated in that situation. I can't even imagine it. Most Yorkies need a lot of company...

I like a mix of the 2 options! :p

Well,
 

go with a complete mix of both. Have the lady stay and have your brother check. That way the lady doesn't have complete rein of your house with knowing that someone is keeping on eye on her as well. The babies see a familiar face everyday, but have a skincaretaker all night. I've seen these situations go very bad, just because someone 'knows' someone and they've had 'good' reviews, doesn't mean you won't get burned. Please remove and lock up, at your brother's house, all valuables, papers, jewelry, etc... anything that you do not want missing. Do not leave anything out with personal information such as social security numbers, account numbers, anything that can be important to you. Long late nights lead to boredom, leads to snooping, leads to sticky fingers. You will have allowed her into your residence, it will be a civil matter not criminal. So protect yourself. So, use her to watch your babies and use your brother to watch her and have a good time!!!!

geesh
 

that was a bummer negative post.

It'll be fine...have a wonderful cruise...I'm sure the lady is a wonderful person.. I'm just cynical...too many years with too many bad people

sorry

I like the mix and you said shes an older lady, so it's not like she'll have wild parties. But if your issue is not knowing her I would just have your brother randomly drop by and put away any personal things. Have a great vacation!

now wait a minute... in defense of all old ladies everywhere, myself being one of them. We can get pretty darn wild. Excuse me.. we are not dead. We can commit crimes, have parties and well shoot, give us a couple knitting needles, some cooking oil and an old man and we can.... well, just you nevermind, young lady....

no wild parties indeed..:D

p.s. and yes before everyone gets their thongs and/or depends in a twist, yes this has been a moment of facetiousness

I love the suggestion of having the lady come and stay at your home along with your brother coming in later in the morning to check on them as well. If this lady has done in home pet sitting for others you know and the reviews have been good, this may be the first of many trips and many times you might use her to come. I would definitely have a couple visits with her coming to your house first. Yorkies are very smart and remember people!!!!

I would never feel comfortable having someone just come in a couple times a day to check on them. Yorkies are very social and even though you work and are gone during the day, there is a huge difference that you are there with them in the evening and at night.

Hope you have a great trip!!!