A new pup ...maybe
 

A little background first. My Wife and I have always had a pup or two in our lives for as long as we can remember. We lost our last pup (Codi) almost one year ago. We always had a friend watch our pups when we went on vacation, but did have a bad experience with the same sitter we've used for years, and since then, will not go away unless they come with us. Our vacations are camping trips (not tenting), and we would go with friends who would take the Wife to the beach, and other activities that the pups aren't allowed, and I'd find something for myself and the pups (a park to walk ?).....I have no problem with this at all. Since we lost our Codi, we decided to take a year to ourselves. We have gone on multiple trips this year, and have done things together that we haven't in a looooong time, and thoroughly enjoyed the time we had without worry, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this past summer with my Wife. However, we both fell the emptiness of the house, and are considering getting a pup in the Spring....considering because there is also the idea of what we will giving up once again.....the freedom to travel. So, this is our delema, fun and freedom, versus the empty hole in our lives.....I'm thinking "get the pup to fill the whole in your soul, and deal with the lack of free travel"....maybe just getting over the "won't kennel" syndrome is the answer too. Don't know what I'm looking for from your fine folks.....maybe just need to talk to those who had the same situation.....want a pup, but also want the fun summer we just experienced.:aimeeyork

If your looking at it as loosing your freedom I wouldn't get a pup. In my opinion that's not how you should look at it if you want one or you will resent the pup. I have never boreded my dog and she's 9 and I never will. If I go somewhere then she goes. I have very little interest in taking a vacation or trip without her because I would never be able to enjoy it because I would worry about her. I now have two and will still be going to a family even about 14 hours away this spring with them. Dogs are a lovely blessing and they give us soooo much I could not imagine my life without them even if I have to give up things for them. Their love is priceless.

I won't have any remorse in trading my freedom for a pup, just need to get over the idea of trusting a kennel, or another sitter (I have none I can 100% trust).....how do I get over that feeling and worry ?.

I've noticed more and more places are becoming pet friendly, so that's always an option. Even Disneyland and Disney World have on site kennels. We have never boarded Wall-e either, he comes with us everywhere, and when we've gone on cruises or out of the country I am lucky enough to have my MIL always wanting to watch him. Sorry you don't have anyone locally to you that you can trust. If I was closer I'd be happy to help! Can imagine life without a dog though, so I say go for it! :animal36

I can't make my self trust boarding places but yorkies are small so they are easy to take places.

When we went traveling this past summer, it was the first time in over 10 years the Wife and I sat together at the beach under an umbrella....usually she would be with friends, and I'd be at a park or something with the boys.....we also went to restaurants, had a nice meal and then sat for a cocktail and listened to the band.....pups are not allowed on the beach till after hours, and never at a restaurant.The last time we had a sitter was years ago, and when we returned home, the oldest pup (Frisco) seemed a little off, and the sitter said everything was fine.....4 days later, we had to put him down....it was at that time we decided if the pup (Codi) can't go, we don't go. So, you can see where I have an issue.....put into the mix that we may retire in 5-8 years. I'm leaning toward getting a pup to complete our home, and deal with the other stuff when it comes up.

Back in the 80's when I got my first yorkie I knew what I would be giving up, "freedom" it was a choice I made willingly. I had a pack of 3, they went where ever I went. We spent 20+years camping in travel trailer, many restaurants allowed my very well behaved girls inside, some had outdoor dining, they were allowed, I also was approached by an entertainer to see their show because he fell in love with my girls, and he offered me and my girls a spot in the club to see his show. Those girls have all passed and I had one baby left, she passed at age 17 yo in 2013. Losing her was more then devastating, I swore no more dogs, losing them had become to over whelming. I tried to console myself with the fact that I would have freedom to travel, visit friends and family that had moved to other states. Then my vet offered me a rescue baby. In a split second I had to make a decision, the 6 times a year that I would do some traveling where having a dog would be impossible and kenneling was OUT of the question. I choose to have 365 days of love, companionship from a quirky lil baby. It was not a sacrifice for me, for the several times a year to have a bit of freedom, but lose the love and happiness of being owned by a yorkie was the sacrifice, I choose accepting this rescue lil boy and my life is again complete. The 6 weeks I spent after losing my girl of 17 years was too painful, my house has become a HOME again. You have to make the choice which in YOUR life is more important, giving up some freedom, or having that hole in your heart filled with love and laughter. Good luck on making the right choice. I am against kenneling, and I personally do not trust anyone to watch over my babies, maybe because I am over protective and watch my furkids like a hawk and feel no one would watch my boy like I do, in a blink of an eye they can get into trouble.

This pretty much hit the nail on the how I'm feeling. There is a hole in our lives, and at times, my Wife misses the boys and drives her to tears....and thats all I need to see....we are waiting till Spring to make the final decision, as we do not want to house train during a Winter in New England. We have started writing names down:D:aimeeyork

Has anyone stayed at a pet friendly hotel? Would it be ok to leave a pup crated for a couple hours? Maybe get 2 puppies, and they can keep each other company while you have dinner or whatever.

Our vacations are camping trips.....are not allowed to leave pets unattended. I was thinking of Hotels being that camping prices are on the rise, but I'm even anal about leaving the pup in a room where somebody else has a key.

As an exhibitor and performance sport competitor I am very strict with complying to hotel rules, But beyond that I do not leave the pups alone in a strange room. I get take out or delivery for food,

There are several dog beaches and many restaurants have outside sitting now where you can sit with your dogs and still order and eat. It might not seem great to some but for those of us scared to hire a sitter or kennel it's not to bad. I just starting leaving mine for a couple hours at a time at home and it's going ok. I recently purchased a camera that will send the feed to my phone so that's an option too. I got lucky with my older girl who is 9 now and for the first 8 years of her life she was never left alone but when my grandpa passed it became almost impossible not to leave her for a few hours but at 9 she's pretty chill. I am now trying to train my 8 mounth old boy that it happens at least once a week and they have each other so things are going pretty well for us with that.

Leaving them at a hotel is not something I would advise because they can get stollen or let out by the maid or worker. I have heard multiple stories of that.