On Fri, 17 Nov 2006 11:43:33 GMT, "Kdf" wrote:

So, how cold is too cold (when proper food, water and outdoor shelter is
provided). Don't forget this is an animal we are talking about with a built
in fur coat designed by nature to protect it from the elements.

How do you know how cold it will get or what other things can happen
while you are gone? I think the dog would most likely do better
boarded if you can't find someone to dogsit. One of my dogs hates
being away from home (unless it is just hanging out in the car for the
ride). I get my daughter's friend to come by a few times a day and
let the dogs out, feed them, play with them, etc. when we go away
because she likes that best. But when I didn't have that and needed
to board her, she was fine. She acted like I was being mean to leave
her with strangers, but she was fine while I was gone. At least I
knew that no harm would come to her while I was gone. Sometimes
people have an opinion of boarding based on only one kind of boarding
arrangement that they know of and don't realize there are many
options. I think you could find a boarding facility that would work
for your dog. It certainly wouldn't hurt to look. You could also
find someone in your neighborhood who would be willing to bring the
dog in at night and let him out in the morning. Teens, seniors, stay
at home parents... There are lots of people who are around who might
want a few extra bucks for holiday shopping.

--
Paula
"Anyway, other people are weird, but sometimes they have candy,
so it's best to try to get along with them." Joe Bay

On Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:10:25 GMT, "Kdf" wrote:

To answer another
question, our beagle has a tiny bladder and has to 'go' a lot. We are
working with her to slowly fix this under the direction of our vet. This is
why we would not leave her in the house.

Not relevant to the original question of what to do for when you leave
for a few days, but what do you think about a dog door?

I'm not usually keen on dog doors, beacause I've had easily bored dogs
- at least one of the current dogs would definitely get up from his
in-house nap, go out to do business, and then get out of the yard and
go looking for someone to pet him. Not every human he might meet will
find this endaring, and there's always traffic...

Your beagle is accustomed to the outdoors and respects the fence
boundary, so letting herself in and out would work great.

For the few days away, I still recommend a pet-sitter or even a
kennel.



--------------------------------------
If you really need to email me, mow the lawn.

The positives in this thread were obvious. Many
circumstances/conditions
which the OP and/or other folks *might* need to consider before
deciding to
leave a dog out as proposed were noted. The list likely wasn't
exhaustive,
but it was extensive.

The negatives, as usual, appear to constitute a syndrome, usually
beginning with comments such as:

"Harummph. Well, I would never EVER do that to MY dog!!!"

by which the poster likely means:

"With my dog and my set of circumstances, that will never happen."

Problem is, all dogs are different. Most owners circumstances also
differ, and they have a way of changing over time.

I've never left a dog outside over nite, but I'd consider it, if
really needed. Decision would depend on the dog and the circumstances.
All the circumstances.

I doubt the following has anything to do with the OP in this
thread, but ...

Telling someone who hasn't a clue what the clue might be can be
productive (sometimes).

Attacking someone generally because s/he hasn't a clue about
something in particular is, to my knowledge, never productive and
invites hard feelings. Also wastes bandwidth. :-)

2 cents = 1/50 of $1.

Cheers,
Puddin'

Pease pudding hot,
Pease pudding cold,
Pease pudding in the pot
Nine days old ...