Moving dog from kennel to house
My father is ill with cancer and is 3 hrs away from home getting specialized treatment. My mother is there staying in temp housing with him. Right now, their dog is boarded at their vet.
The Dr. says my father may be there from 4 wks – 6wks. I live in FL, my parents in NY. I have 2 dogs of my own and one does not get along well with other dogs.
However, my parents have rented a house in my neighborhood for the winter (thru June). They never got to come down though b/c of my dad’s treatments. I am wondering if I should drive my parents dog (12yo Lab mix male neutered) down here to live at the house. the house is nice and there is a nice fenced yard there. We would walk him in the am and the evening and my husband or I would try to sleep there every other night or so. It would be a big burden on my husband & I but if that is what would be best for the dog, I would do it.
But here is the $64,000 question: what is in dog’s best interest? He has been in the kennel a lot throughout the years and knows all the people there and they love him. (small town vet clinic) Here he would be in a strange place and alone a lot b/c we both work and have 2 dogs of our own to take care of. But he would be in a house and a yard and with us. But they say w/dogs it is all about routine. I want to do what is best for him. Is moving him to a strange place to spend time with us best? or staying at the kennel? I am so confused.
Also, if I go up there to visit on the weekends (if we decide to keep him at the kennel) is it okay to “spring” him out for the weekend or is that too much of a roller coaster of emotions? (He is a 12 yr old dog and my parents traveled a lot so he would be in the kennel from time to time. Same workers are there and it is at the Vet).
ANY insight would be greatly appreciated.
Note : Dog question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.