I have never left Hopey(havent gone anywhere) but when we go on family vacation, I have a close family friend (19 yrs old) come and stay at my house.. I TRUST him very much and he loves my pups, PLUS he gets the house for the week... I pay him $150 or $200 and he does a super job... dont know what will happen when we go with Hopey but that wont happen this year....
Good Luck!

For those who HAVE to leave your dog/dogs I will say that having someone we know well and trust stay at our house while we were gone was really the BEST solution we found.

Lacey was in a familiar place and stayed with someone she had known for a long time. We talked to the person daily and had left a fairly detailed agenda of what Lacey was used to doing during the day.

Our criteria for someone to stay here was
1. Someone we knew for at least a year.
2. Someone we knew had about the same ethics we have.
3. Someone who had the same regard for animals as we have. If you cherish you dog as a family member you don't want someone with the "It's JUST a DOG!" attitude.
4. This had to be someone we would be willing to leave our children with.
5. They had to have SOME experience with small dogs. Small dogs are NOT the same as their larger brothers and sisters.
6. WE had to have seen them interact with their own dogs and/or Lacey more than once and possibly during something difficult.
7. They have to be willing to do things OUR way while they are here. For example-we don't give rawhide or certain other treats-we didn't want someone who thought, "OH well I give them to MY dogs so I'll get Lacey one". Of course it HAD to be someone who does NOT ever physically discipline...meaning by hitting a dog...putting one in a crate is fine.
8. Someone who was mature and informed enough to handle an emergency.

She grew up in a house in which the mother was a reputable dog breeder and show person, so she actually had more experience than me with dogs! She was extremely kind and Lacey adored her.

To this day we have but to say her name and Lacey will go to the window and watch for her to come over. When she visited us for Christmas I think Lacey was actually disappointed that she left and WE stayed!!!

IF this same young woman could stay with her OR we knew anyone else well enough who was able to stay here that is what we would do BUT we just don't so she will go with us.

We always make reservations for hotels before we leave...we know how long it takes and we never travel more than a certain number of hours a day-so we will be able to find pet friendly hotels ahead of time! We only have to stay tow nights on the way and two on the way back!

Thank you again for all the support and help! I feel more confidant now about taking her!

Welcome! This is a great forum.

I personally would take her with you. What we do, is we take the pups' kennel with us (it folds up, so easy to pack in car). And where ever we are we set it up with the door open. If Tiger or Rhapsody get too much stimuli they just go in and lay down on their blankets until their ready for more action. It's kinda like taking their den with them, and I also keep chews and bones in there with their extra blankets so they really feel as though it's their safe place. We also always make sure the door is open so they never feel trapped.

As much as I love my yorkies, I am so against taking them on vacations, other than for a few days.

IMO, it's impossible to enjoy your vacation when you have to worry about a dog (or in my case, TWO!). I took them on a 4 night vacation in the fall and the entire time I was afraid of leaving them alone and someone (cleaning people, esp) coming in and little them. I couldn't even enjoy going out to dinner because I was afraid something would happen or they would start barking.

I say leave her at home, and enjoy your vacation. :)

It's like having a baby again isn't it. :D I think she would be more miserable being left with someone for that long. (and stress can cause major health problems in these guys). What would happen if the sitter had to call and tell you the little one is in the hospital, or got ran over or any number of other horrible things.
Also what about you? You would not relax for one minute for thinking about your baby all the time. It may be a little more work taking her, but don't you think it would be well worth it, seeing her happy just to be with you. Just get her a little collapsible crate for when you get there and need to put her in a safe spot. I have two Yorkies that I would take with me no matter what. I've passed up several chances to go overseas and to Hawaii with my husband on his business trips, only because of the quarantine laws. I won't go if they can't. Simple.

You might want to ask your Vet if they have any suggestions. Sometimes your Vet tech might be willing since they know your dog, and obviously are experienced. I'm sure most of us dog (animal) owners know this feeling.