What would you do
 

My little Gidget who weighs 4 1/2 lbs. goes with we everywhere--shopping, out to lunch, grocery store, etc. I carry her on a pouch on my chest and she never barks or bothers anyone. My husband of 55 years passed away a little over a year ago so Gidget is my BFF. A group of ladies from church are planning a day long "field trip" in the spring. We'll rent a van and one of the ladies will drive. I plan on taking Gidget with me. One of the ladies mentioned that her son and DIL in law leave there dog for that long in a crate. We'll be gone at least 9 hours. Would you leave your furbaby that long in a crate? I'm going to ask the ladies if anyone has a problem with me taking Gidget. If they do, then I don't want to infringe on their personal space just to take Gidget HOWEVER if that happens I will stay home. Any comments.

We do not crate Max or Sasha and we have left them home for 9 hours on rare occasions but they have the run of 2 rooms and each other to keep them company. I would do just as you said. I would ask if anyone objects to your taking Gidget and if they do I would politely say I understand and I would stay home. I would tell them I am not offended, that they have the right to not want a dog along but that we are a package - where I go she goes.

I think what Maxdog said is right on. I agree and know you will do just that. A dog should never be left alone in a crate for those many hours. You are right to wonder about that. Good for you with your new best friend. Thanks for taking her in and giving her such a loving home.

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I have left Cody for 7 hours (business issues) he's an out door potty boy, I do leave a pad down 24/7 he knows what's it's for but he will wait until I come home and go out side to do his business, besides, he has the entire house to roam about. I would not crate a dog for 9 hours, Cody and I are also a package, if he can't go, then I don't go, but that's just me.

Thanks for all your comments. I agree and I'm going to follow your advice (just needed assurance that I'm doing the right thing). When I got her I knew there would be times when I wouldn't be able to participate because she's such an important part of my life. She gives me emotional support 24/7. Nothing is worth sacrificing that part of my life.

No matter how bad of a day I've had when I come home and see those little tails wagging a mile a minute all my troubles go away for a brief period. The joy they bring to our lives makes any sacrifices we have to make seem trivial.

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When Pete and I are both working late shift, we are gone for 9 hours. Wookie has the run of the house downstairs. We bought a stairgate just to contain her to the downstairs rooms while we are out. She isn't alone for those 9 hours though. She has our three cats for company, and my old supervisor lives two minutes away and will go in to let her out for the toilet and give her an hours play and cuddles. She loves her Uncle Leigh! :)

We only ever leave her alone for any length of time for work though. Social events, if she isn't welcome, we won't go. We have no choice about working. Everything else, we do, and she comes first.

Years back when I started with dogs I knew I would have to make changes in my way of living. I knew I would have to make some sacrifices. Over the years yes I did have to miss some events due to my babies, but in all honesty it was never a sacrifice, the well being of my babies are far more important to me. Vacations were planned around my dogs, place's were they were allowed. I worked all week, so week ends were spending more quality time with my babies, but again, that is just ME.

What would we do or be without our "little ones". They are so loving, caring and non-judgmental! They actually make our lives complete.

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And for this reason my Cody is #1 in my life. We have them for such a short time, I try to make him as happy as I can everyday and being with me does just that :)

Wow I love this group! I feel the same. Cooper goes to work with my husband and I and where we go he goes. The only sacrifice we have had to make is eating out. How do you guys do that on vacation? I know he would be so frightened if we left him in the hotel room. I'm glad to hear there are those of you who love and cherish their babies as we do.

I have a note from my doctor that says Gidget is my companion dog and needs to be with me at all times. I keep a copy of that note in my wallet but have never been asked to show it even though I've offered. I never claim that she's a service dog I just always tell the person that I have a note from my doctor if they would like to see it. So far, no takers. Also, when I'm in a store, restaurant, etc Gidget is in the carrier on my chest. When I take the carrier off from around my neck, I lay Gidget in my lap with the carrier still on her. So far this has worked for me. The only place I don't take her is to church and the beauty shop -- too many chemicals for her to smell. Hope this helps.

Completely agree. We got a second yorkie just so Bella would never have to be alone. Ours are with one of us pretty much all the time. The only exception is when we go out for lunch or something like that. But Bella and Bailey have each other for company and play if we are both out of the house.

I agree, you have to do what is right for you and your baby!

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.