We have several options but none of them are ideal:
1. We can leave the dogs with their breeder, if she’s not traveling for some dog show. This is great for the dogs (staying in a place they know well, ie where they were born, with people and dogs they’ve known since they were born, and is a totally great set up for dachshunds with someone who fully understands that the threat of coyote attack is no joke) and it’s great for us in one way (it’s free!). But it’s a 5-6 hour RT drive to drop them off or pick them up. So not exactly convenient unless we’re heading east like to Sedona.
2. I can leave them at the clinic for the employee rate of $15/day/dog. Also very safe, but not really enjoyable for the dogs and it freaks one of them out a little so I avail myself of this opportunity rarely.
3. I have a friend who is a dog walker. She doesn’t Board dogs but will watch ours for a night or two. She’d do it for free but since it’s her biz, I give her $40/night.
4. One of the techs at work has a soft spot for the older of my two dogs. She’d have her come stay at her house for free. I get along with everybody and am well respected by the staff in general, and this particular tech has issues with many of the doctors at our hospital. Looking after my dog I think makes the statement that one of the core senior doctors likes and trusts her, so this gives her clout/status. She’s always refused $ so I’d get her a gift card and a Christmas present. I wish she’d take $ because now with two dogs, I don’t feel right about asking her to watch them.
Husband isn’t ok with someone staying at the house, so that complicates things. A kennel is not an option. Someone stopping by three times a day (can’t do a dog door for small dogs in SoCal) would be prohibitively expensive.
I’d love to find some retired person who is local, will watch the dogs in their home, understands coyote danger and is reasonably priced.
We increasingly just seek pet friendly accommodation when we travel. The dogs are great travelers, we enjoy spending time with them, and it saves the stress of figuring out where they will stay when we’re away. If anything made me give up on timesharing, it would be the Dogs. Sell the timeshares and buy a small RV perhaps...