Furry Friday: Summer Planning for your Dog

By Bridget Bennett, brekow@smu.edu

Summer is just around the corner — that means it’s time to move back in with the parents, start that summer internship in New York or go on that long awaited summer vacation. For pet owners, it also means finding a place for your pooch.

For most students — myself included — that means dropping them off at mom and dad’s. I’m headed to Europe for over a month this summer; my parents are keeping both of my dogs at their home in North Dakota while I’m gone. However, for some students, mom and dad’s place isn’t always an option.

There are other possibilities. A pet-loving friend who is living or staying in the area is one option. Mandy Pathak, a member of SMU campus ministries, has used her friends as puppy-sitters many times. When she went to India for four weeks, one of her friends kept her three dogs. But Pathak said she and her husband have repaid the favor several times.

“We have a mutual trade off, so I watch their dogs whenever they go out of town,” Pathak said.

Elizabeth Stupay, a junior marketing major at SMU, said she is lucky enough to have two brothers living in Dallas. Stupay will be studying abroad in Australia this summer; her 12-year-old Lhasa Apso, Mitzi, will be staying with her brother.

For shorter trips, like spring break, Stupay calls Prestigious Pets, a Dallas-based pet sitting company. Stupay said she simply gave the company a key to her apartment and someone came by a few times a day to walk Mitzi. However, Stupay said she doesn’t think this is the best option for long-term boarding.

“If it’s as long as a month, I would feel better if she could actually stay with someone,” she said. She felt a few visits a day wouldn’t be enough for such a long period.

Another option is to take your dog to a 24-hour boarding facility. The Pet Resort Dallas frequently boards dogs for weeks at a time while families are on extended vacations. Their amenities include 24-hour caregivers, two indoor play areas, two outdoor play areas with misters, individual rooms and individual attention from caregivers. While this is definitely a valid option, it’s also extremely expensive.

The Pet Resort charges $45 per night — that’s over $2500 for an eight-week stay. Another expense to consider when leaving your dog in someone else’s care is an emergency fund. Last week’s blog revealed just how expense emergency vet bills can cost; it is important for the person or company watching your pet to have access to funds for any necessary medical care.