I have a 6 year old boxer, Dodge, and a newly gifted-to-me kitten, Zephyr. They get along really well--the kitten cries whenever he hears Dodge & I coming back from a walk. It's kind of pathetic how much the kitten loves the dog. They play hide n' go seek, wrestle and bat each other around like they've been friends since birth. And, of course, they love the other specie's food (& feces) more than their own... damn animals. Rearranging my apt since I moved in has been such a pain; I've had to do it several times because each animal has a different set of strengths and/or climbing ability that I have to account for. BOO!
I tossed around the idea of sending them to a pet boarding facility, but then I remembered that I'm POOR, and will be spending enough money on the trip... wah waaaaaaaaaaaah! Also, with as attached as they are to each other, they may not handle being apart very well. And, my dog has a moderate case of separation anxiety that has gotten much better since he was neutered and has been living with me again, but we just moved here from rural WI and gotten our routine going. Him being around so many new dogs at once is a bit overwhelming for him, and he likes to pick fights for dominance; not the BEST thing for a dog to do in a kennel. That being said, I'm not sure that I'd want him in an area full of new/strange dogs. So, hmmm... what to dooooooooo...? The kitten I think would be fine, but he may get lonely without his cohort in crime.
Why not find an arsenal of friends who are willing to pet sit and/or stop in at random times?
OF COURSE!
I am creating a chart (SURPRISE SURPRISE) with dates, times, names of who needs/can stop by, what needs to be done, where things are in the apartment, etc. for my potential animal sitters. One good thing, I think, is that I'd prefer my pets to stay at home & and don't need to go with the sitter--the sitter, however, does NOT need to stay at my apt for any amount of time; they just need to pop in, feed/walk them, and be on their merry way. I'd feel bad if someone was "required" to stay at my cruddy place, not to mention watch my crazy animals while they were there. My animals are pretty use to me being away because of my busy school schedule, so I figured it'd be better that a sitter only pop in like I do, rather than smother them with affection (especially because I don't/can't do that when I get back--I don't need them getting use to be pampered!). If the sitter wants to take Dodge or Zephyr for a bit, great, but I'm not asking for that.
In order to make my apt Dodge-proof (his separation anxiety makes him search & destroy anything that is food or garbage-like) I have to do a few things before I leave. All garbage will be out before I go; clean waste baskets! I'll have to have the sitter flush the toilet when they come--my dog (and cat) prefer this to a water bowl (don't ask me), and they'll need fresh H2O :) I have to keep my kitten's food (and litter box) in a guarded area--otherwise the pooch will eat from both sources. Both animals' food is in a Rubbermaid container so they can't get into it while I'm gone during the day (or the mice for that matter). ETC.
Also, I really want to unplug as much stuff as I can, so I'm going to eat or get rid all of the food in my fridge/freezer. I will soon have a chest freezer that I'll keep all of my long-term frozen goodies in, but I will unplug EVERYTHING else in the apt. I will leave my ACs in the windows in case it gets warm--the sitters can turn them on/off as needed to make sure my animals don't become jerky while I'm gone--but that's it.
Bleh, so much to think about. So much planning that is yet to be done. Mapping. Charts. Reservations for camping/couch surfing. Setting up the recital. Finding an accompanist. Oh geez--I better get started.
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