I have left Jackson for 9 hours before but he's not crated. He's strictly outdoor pottying. He can hold it for a while though but I don't like to make a habit of leaving him that long. My preference is no longer than 6 hours. I would do what makes you feel comfortable! Like I know that Jackson is 100% fine out of the crate and won't get into anything. If he had to be crated to be kept safe, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him for that long period of time.

I bring Jackson on vacation with us and he's fine in the hotel room for brief periods of time. I set up a web cam. I hook up my iPad to Wifi in the hotel and then use an app (Presence is the one I use) on my iPhone so I can view him remotely to make sure he's okay/not barking/etc.

I try to find outdoor restaurants if weather is accommodating lol. Or fast food. But sometimes we go to a nice dinner inside where he can't come so that's about the only time I leave him in the hotel.

Would your family (I can't remember, were you staying with your married son or daughter?) be able to watch Gidget while you enjoy your day out? They could keep her in an xpen, but still be there to make sure she is safe and that her needs are met.

By then I'll be in my new apartment and both of them work all day -- son-in-law from 6 am to 6 pm and daughter is out of town a lot. Not a possible solution. If I take Gidget with me, I'll have no problem enjoying the day. She goes places with me so much that it's really not a problem for me.

I know you will enjoy the day most with Gidget along with you. :) That would be my first choice too (although I can't always take both of my boys because they can be naughty when they are together, haha).

Here in the UK we have no problem finding somewhere to eat where we can take Wookie along. Restaurants and cafes aren't usually an option, but there are so many lovely countryside pubs which serve really good food and are dog friendly. In fact, pubs make a big thing about being dog friendly, usually stating it on their websites. I guess the landlords are intelligent enough to realise that there are millions of dog owners here, and to get our business they need to allow us to bring our furry family members along. In fact, we're off for a nice Sunday lunch in a little country pub today...and this pub has two dogs of their own and a jar of dog treats on the bar! :)

Many a pub landlord I've spoken to says quite honestly that they prefer dogs in their pubs to children....because dogs are always well behaved! :D

I reckon this one is worth re-posting...if only for fun!
"I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel, and if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."

Thanks for the laugh. It's so true. When I take Gidget to the grocery store, she never runs up and down the aisles, she never pulls things off the shelves, and she never throws a temper tantrum in the middle of the store.

They're wonderful at keeping us in touch and keeping things in perspective; i.e. waiting in long lines at the store. Yorkies are special little creatures!

Love that!!!

So we took Wookie to the country pub yesterday with my Mum. We were given a table for four, right next to a log burner that had a bowl of water and a dog bed beside it....apparently they belonged to Henry, the pub's Golden Lab, although he wasn't there as the pub was so busy. Wookie was a big hit with the customers, especially once we put her blanky on the spare chair and sat her on it. People couldn't believe how nicely she sat there, not trying to get onto the table or begging for our food. Everyone wanted to stop by to say Hello to her, and she was her usual sociable self and greeted everyone with a wagging tail and a quick lick of the hand. She even ended up being given a small dish of roast beef and lamb after the landlady asked if she could have it.

My Mum was so proud of her. She absolutely adores Wookie, and tells everyone what a brilliant, happy, good little dog she is.

The food, by the way, was excellent. We will definitely go there again, as it's only 5 miles from my Mum's house, and we know Wookie will get a really warm welcome. It's not every day you get a hug from a landlady as you are leaving and asked to please bring your dog again! :D

Sounds like your mind and heart are in the right place. Hope all goes well!

So much positive energy in this thread I love it. Glad to know we all have the same interests for our loved ones

You and Piper would be more than welcome! :)

We are very lucky where we live. Within a very short drive there are dozens of brilliant places to walk Wookie, and several dogs and their owners that we see on a regular basis. Even people we don't know very well seem to know who Wookie is...'the little Yorkie who never runs out of energy!' :)

We are surrounded by beautiful countryside, with lots of lovely little villages, most of them with pubs that do great food and are very welcoming to dogs. It's often said that England is a nation of dog lovers, and I have to say, from our experiences with Wookie, that it is very true.