Staycation

[Julie]

We are at the end of the 1st week of our "staycation".

Due to our dog and not being able to cope with leaving him in kennels or with family, we decided to stay at home this year. Every day we have enjoyed walking and completely switching off from the outside world and it has been fab!!! Weather has been kind and I caught some rays [8D]

We are lucky to live on the coast and have made a point of "looking" at what's on our doorstep. We had a fab time exploring a country park (1mile away) and introducing our dog to Deer.

Plenty more on the list to do next week - all free and without the stress of going abroad [8D]

[kazzafunk]

And you get to sleep in your own bed each night. That's what I miss the most when I'm away. OH never goes anywhere, I go with family if I go anywhere. This year I have had a couple of weeks off at home and it was lovely. I took myself off to Bude, got a coffee and sat outside overlooking the beach reading my book for a couple of hours. I don't think I have ever felt more relaxed or happy

[Skippy]

Glad you're having a good time Julie.

I've got a week off in a couple of weeks and we're going to Dave's mum's cottage in Sussex. We save money and we can take Harry with us!

We're hoping to go to Florida for our honeymoon but I'm dreading leaving him!

[Julie]

It took us years to be able to leave the cats for a week, but I cannot imagine ever leaving my boy.

We put him in kennels for 1 night last year and never again. My daughters would have him no problem, but I would not relax...silly isn't it???

We're lucky we live in such a beautiful place, just need to take advantage of it!

[Skippy]

I don't think it's silly at all! I know people say that Harry is 'only a cat' but I couldn't put him in a cattery as I hate leaving him - he follows me round and likes being with us. I say he's got doglike qualities much to his disgust!

[kazzafunk]

Do you not have anyone that can housesit for you Skippy?

[Skippy]

My mum used to come in and feed him but she's had to give up driving. 2 of my neighbours have offered to feed him but one doesn't really like cats and the other is so scatty she'd probably forget him!

One of my friends mentioned about looking after him as her wedding present to us, so fingers crossed she can do it as she'd be perfect. I don't want to take advantage though so I'm saving all my favours until we go to Florida!

[Julie]

Oh my! I don't think Harry would appreciate being compared to a dog [:D]

We have now got to a stage where our cats will "allow" my daughter to feed them for a few days. After day 4, they both refuse food and boy do they sulk!! We end up feeding them by hand and saying sorry!!

[kazzafunk]

That sounds good then! We always had people in to stay when we used to go away to look after our cat when he was around. We did put him in a cattery once and although it was clean and they had big runs, I spotted him before he saw me when I picked him up and he looked so depressed I couldn't do it again!

[Skippy]

I told him he's only got the better parts of a doggy character!

Harry doesn't really mind who feeds him, but it's got to be someone I can trust otherwise I'll spend 2 weeks in a state of panic!

[Shining]

I left mine in kennels once and the little one came back without a bark as he'd barked so much. Never ever again, my poor boy, bit of cough medicine and he was soon back to normal but I felt so guilty. What I do now is leave them at home and someone comes to them, they're outside all day anyway so it's ot much different for them apart from we're not there. Luckily if we go away daughter is still at home and she just carries on the routine and they get a week off training. x

[kallis3]

We used to put our previous dogs in kennels and they were good but none of the ones we have now have been and I wouldn't do it. Thankfully our daughter looks after them so they're in familiar surroundings with their normal routine.

[Shining]

That's the key isn't Jan, their normal routine, my hubby just said to me I'm sure they know it's the weekend as every Sat/sun they have a lie in whereas normally they go out when he leaves for work and have their breakfast outside. having a laze today. x

[kallis3]

You're right there Lesley. Our dogs know when it's time for a walk or time to be fed and they sleep in comfort rather than on a cold concrete floor. They may sulk a little when we get back from a holiday but they're happier here.