Plan for Pets?

[Bluedaisy]

I hope this isn't a SS question but what are you ladies planning to do with your pets while you're in the hospital?  Our dog is lovely but very protective of her house so I'm a little concerned about having people come over to take care of her if we aren't there.  DH and discussed kenneling her but since it's a first baby I don't know when we would book her in for.  We discussed putting her in our large fenced yard with lots of food and water and DH rushing home when he's able to take care of her.

Jersey is a rescue and I really want to do everything I can to make sure bringing baby home isn't traumatic and it's as positive for her as possible.  

Do you ladies have plans in place for what to do with pets when you go into labor?

[mrskblack11]

There will be plenty of family around to come let the dogs outside. We are only 15 mins from the hospital. My parents will also spend the night at our house the first night we are in the hospital.

I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving our dogs outside when I went into labor. It will be June and most likely in the 90s so it will be too hot for them to stay outside for an extended period of time. Also I would be concerned with someone stealing our dogs or them getting out somehow.

[paintdadanta]

Our current plan is to have one of our friends pick up the dogs and take them to his house till we get home with the little one. They've been to his house with us numerous times so it won't be too stressful for them. My mom will just have to stop by our house to care for our cat.

During our normal trips, we have someone stay at the house with all of them but I don't want to worry about cleaning up/changing sheets when we get back this time.

[Deleted]

We typically have a dog sitter come to our house a few times a day when we travel, so we will either call him last minute to check on P, or because we live 10 minutes from the hospital, I'm actually considering sending DH home at night instead of staying with me. That way one of us will be well rested and it will be less unsettling for the pup when we bring the baby home.

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 28, 2015 18:59:42 GMT -5 @ktpatter said:

We typically have a dog sitter come to our house a few times a day when we travel, so we will either call him last minute to check on P, or because we live 10 minutes from the hospital, I'm actually considering sending DH home at night instead of staying with me. That way one of us will be well rested and it will be less unsettling for the pup when we bring the baby home.

We're also super close to the hospital. If I'm in the hospital overnight after I deliver DH is definitely going home over night.  I'm more concerned about if I'm in labor for a really long time and DH can't leave.

[Deleted]

Mar 28, 2015 19:02:15 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Mar 28, 2015 18:59:42 GMT -5 @ktpatter said:

We typically have a dog sitter come to our house a few times a day when we travel, so we will either call him last minute to check on P, or because we live 10 minutes from the hospital, I'm actually considering sending DH home at night instead of staying with me. That way one of us will be well rested and it will be less unsettling for the pup when we bring the baby home.

We're also super close to the hospital. If I'm in the hospital overnight after I deliver DH is definitely going home over night.  I'm more concerned about if I'm in labor for a really long time and DH can't leave.

Ah, gotcha. Is there anyone that she has bonded with that you would feel safe having stay with her if that's the case? Maybe they could spend the night with her instead of just stopping by for a visit.

It might be less unsettling if she feels like there is someone there so it is less noticeable that your guys are gone?

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 28, 2015 19:07:12 GMT -5 @ktpatter said:

Mar 28, 2015 19:02:15 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

We're also super close to the hospital. If I'm in the hospital overnight after I deliver DH is definitely going home over night.  I'm more concerned about if I'm in labor for a really long time and DH can't leave.

Ah, gotcha. Is there anyone that she has bonded with that you would feel safe having stay with her if that's the case? Maybe they could spend the night with her instead of just stopping by for a visit.

It might be less unsettling if she feels like there is someone there so it is less noticeable that your guys are gone?

No unfortunately, she likes my parents but as horrible as this sounds I really don't want to let them know when I'm in labor...I just want to call once we are done.  I wonder if one of the ladies who works at her kennel would be willing to be on call...she loves all of them!

[nettje]

My Mom will be staying at our house while we go in. we are kennelling our dog (she's about 90lbs) and the place we're taking her to also has a doggy day care centre where she will get a ton of socialization and exercise. My mom won't be able to walk her as she's just too strong (and a poor listener towards everyone but DH and I). We're able to schedule though as its a repeat c/s and we will probably drop her off on our way to the hospital. We'll then pick her up after and bring a blanket with the new baby's scent in it.

As for the cat... My mom will care for her. She needs to be put into a room at night with her box and food, otherwise she pees everywhere. Little old beast.

[Deleted]

DH will be coming home at night to stay with them. If, for some reason, we are stuck at the hospital in labor overnight and baby is born first thing in the morning, we have neighbors we can call who will come let them out for us.

[missjenniebean]

Sadie will be staying in the apartment, as if everything is normal. Someone will either stay or drop by every few hours while we are gone. Come home and greet her as normal, then hope all works out.

That's the plan anyway.

[Deleted]

Bluedaisy I would definitely see if one of the women from the kennel can watch her! That way she will be happy & comfortable. Good luck!!

[billyhorrible]

Do you have a place you normally board her? With my first, we spoke with our regular boarding place. They have staff on site 24 hours, so they told me just to give them a call on our way over and we could drop the dog off on our way to the hospital, day or night. And that's what we did.

This time, my mom is coming to stay with LBB, so she'll feed/walk the dog too.

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 28, 2015 19:52:24 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

Do you have a place you normally board her? With my first, we spoke with our regular boarding place. They have staff on site 24 hours, so they told me just to give them a call on our way over and we could drop the dog off on our way to the hospital, day or night. And that's what we did.

This time, my mom is coming to stay with LBB, so she'll feed/walk the dog too.

We do have a regular kennel where she also goes for daycare but I don't think they have overnight staff. I should ask about that because that would be the best possible solution.  Jersey LOVES daycare so she would be totally ok there.

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 28, 2015 20:22:07 GMT -5 budders said:

Mar 28, 2015 19:09:50 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

No unfortunately, she likes my parents but as horrible as this sounds I really don't want to let them know when I'm in labor...I just want to call once we are done.  I wonder if one of the ladies who works at her kennel would be willing to be on call...she loves all of them!

This is my struggle. The plan is for my in-laws to take our pup to their house, but I realllllllly don't want them to know when I'm in labor. However, I'm going to have to suck it up because we live 45 minutes from the hospital, and there is no way that H will be able to get back here until baby has been safely delivered. Luckily my hospital has pretty strict visitor policies, so I should be able to get away with shutting everyone out until after the baby is born.

Unfortunately our hospital lets practically anyone in!  

[flbabychin]

My in-laws are planning to be in town during the week of my due date (although I don't know that LO will cooperate) and my parents live about 2 hours away, so ideally one of our sets of parents will swing by to check on and feed our cat and take out the pup. Although my dog isn't the friendliest gal around, she does love both of our sets of parents so I think she'll be in good hands. Since it's our first baby and I don't know what to expect, I'm hesitant to give up DH at the hospital too...

[amber311]

I couldn't bear the thought of my sweet girl being alone or kennel. She is too much of a chicken So my cousin will be staying at the house for us. I had a key made for her so when the time comes we can just call her.

[gilder40]

I haven't really thought about this that much. We don't live far from the hospital...maybe 4-5 miles? And it only takes about 10 min to get there. If I labor overnight, we have family with keys that can get in to let our pup out. Also, if my parents make it, they will just let him out. I'm not worried about the cat. She'll be fine.

[Deleted]

My parents are coming up to watch DS and the dogs. both my doggies are rescues too glad to hear you support the cause. They ended up being both really good with DS when he was an infant so I'm not worried and them with the new baby

[mrsmonogrammed]

My aunt will be staying at our house to take care of the dog...we're about 30-45 minutes away for the hospital (depending on traffic) so it's not really feasible for DH to make the trek home just to let the dog out. I may be an SS because I already have typed out instructions on how to take care of her....leased for the backyard, scoop of pumpkin with her dry food, etc.. She's a little high maintnance;)

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 29, 2015 0:27:19 GMT -5 @poppyc8 said:

My parents are coming up to watch DS and the dogs. both my doggies are rescues too glad to hear you support the cause. They ended up being both really good with DS when he was an infant so I'm not worried and them with the new baby

We're really hoping things go well bringing baby home and we're doing everything we can to make sure that happens.  Jersey just gets nervous around strangers and children.  Mostly boys from about 7-16 freak her out a bit (maybe it's because they often are running around like banshees with hockey sticks or baseball bats).

[apollo11235]

This isn't much help to you with dogs, but we have cats so we'll just give them extra food and water before we leave. And I may have to make DH scoop the litter boxes before we go, too.

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2015 7:56:08 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Mar 29, 2015 0:27:19 GMT -5 @poppyc8 said:

My parents are coming up to watch DS and the dogs. both my doggies are rescues too glad to hear you support the cause. They ended up being both really good with DS when he was an infant so I'm not worried and them with the new baby

We're really hoping things go well bringing baby home and we're doing everything we can to make sure that happens.  Jersey just gets nervous around strangers and children.  Mostly boys from about 7-16 freak her out a bit (maybe it's because they often are running around like banshees with hockey sticks or baseball bats).

It just takes a lot of reinforcement training w DS to be kind to the dogs and not throw toys at them ever or pull their hair. The dogs are awesome with him I would say we have more issues w DS and how he treats the dogs if he is overtired and needs a nap. But we stop the behavior right away and explain to him with dogs you always need to be gentle.

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 29, 2015 13:23:52 GMT -5 @poppyc8 said:

Mar 29, 2015 7:56:08 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

We're really hoping things go well bringing baby home and we're doing everything we can to make sure that happens.  Jersey just gets nervous around strangers and children.  Mostly boys from about 7-16 freak her out a bit (maybe it's because they often are running around like banshees with hockey sticks or baseball bats).

It just takes a lot of reinforcement training w DS to be kind to the dogs and not throw toys at them ever or pull their hair. The dogs are awesome with him I would say we have more issues w DS and how he treats the dogs if he is overtired and needs a nap. But we stop the behavior right away and explain to him with dogs you always need to be gentle.

My friend actually asked me if we'd started fully on Jersey's tail and ears for practice so she would get used to baby.  I just about lost my shit!  I told her no I plan to teach my child NOT to abuse my dog.

[baytosa2013]

We have two cats only so not super helpful but we have a close friend that we will give a key to in case we are stuck at the hospital. We are only about 20 mins from home though so I'll likely try to send DH home to at least feed, water and cuddle them. I also want him to bring home her hat and a blanket to get the smell in the house before we come home. Recently we, by accident, found out that one of our cats does NOT like the sound of crying babies and he will growl and pout under the bed. We've started playing crying youtube videos to hopefully get him used to the sound.

[turtletyme]

Our dog is home all day while we are at work, and if we go on day trips, so she will be good for awhile. If DH can't get away to let her out, I think we will just send his brother over. I also don't want my in laws knowing too much and showing up at the hospital.