Funny...

[Ravenlost]

Since we had to go to the inlaws for Christmas, we had to kennel all 10 dogs. We put their names on their collars before taking them to the kennel.

When my daughter came for New Year's she asked me if we'd put the names on each dog because we had so many we couldn't remember who was who.

LOL...

[wombatcat]

Ravenlost, we have 6 dogs and 8 cats right now and DH's cousin came over and somehow we mentioned how many there were and she said, "how on earth do you tell them all apart???"

I don't know how I couldn't. They're all such individuals, even the two all-black cats have such different purrsonalities that I would never make a mistake...

We haven't kennelled all 6 dogs yet, although we did kennel 4 a few years ago...then our dog Frosty had some kind of nervous breakdown at the kennel and became so vicious that they couldn't handle her at all (but once we got home, she was fine again), so now we've been finding a house-sitter instead.

[Selena]

LOL - You should have told her having children required you to do it.

[Ravenlost]

Good comeback Selena!

wombatcat...this was the first time we've ever had to kennel all 10. My son usually housesits for us, but he has a girlfriend now and had other plans. (He's 26.)

I so agree with what you say about each one having a different personality. That's something we love about having puppies...watching their own unique personalities develop. Hubby thinks living here brings out their personalities too...I guess we encourage it more than some people do. We let our dogs and cats be who they want to be...LOL.

[fordson major]

boarding your dogs gets them used to the idea that they can be away from home and all is not lost. if they ever need to stay at the vets for an extended period it is far less stressfull and they heal quicker! good idea with the collars raven!

[Ravenlost]

I just used a permanent marker to write their names on the collars (they all wear orange collars with a reflective strip down the center). They're all kenneled from time to time, however, this was the first time all 10 were kenneled at the same time.

We did learn that we can leave for a couple days and the cats, horses and chickens won't starve to death. Our neighbor kept an eye on things, but didn't have to feed anyone as we put out feed (and hay for the horses) and plenty of water for everyone.

And I think my daughter can be quite the smarty-pants from time to time!

[gina kay]

I can't even imagine what your kennel bill was! I've seen commercials for a boarder/trainer facility in Houston and a few times we've driven past it. When we drive past it I start cracking up laughing telling dh they'd lock their doors if tey saw us walking up with all 14 (give or take a few) of our rambuntious dogs!

[Terry W]

My Granddog, EJ, goes to daycare on days that daughter and SIL will be gone for an unpredictable amount of time, and there, if need be, he spends the night. EJ lost his 'empty house' priveledges afew weeks ago-- as he destroyed a very expensive set of blinds- lesson about Basenjis got reinforced that day-- if you don't make sure they are entertained, they will entertain themselves!!!

[Ravenlost]

gina kay...it was $200. Our vet even offered to go by the house and feed the horses, chickens and cats while we were gone! Because we've taken in so many of the dogs and cats that are dumped at the vet's they give us discounts, etc. which really helps out!