Vacation/ driving WWYD

[Deleted]

I'm taking the kids and going to visit family for 2-ish+ weeks this summer.  They live 17.5 hours away by car/ around 3 hours by plane.  We have a dog, who we'd have to send to the kennel for at least part, maybe most of that time, because DH will be working, traveling for work, or with us.  Or we could take her with us on the trip.

So, if you were me, would you:

1) Load up the kids and dog in the minivan, pack some snacks and movies and suck it up and drive there?  My parents have a car we could use, but it might be nice to have our own there.  
2) Fly there and bring the dog?  She's a lab.  She's never flown.  I'm a little leery about this option.
3) Fly there and board her at the kennel for the approximately 10 days of that time that DH won't be around our house either?

My parents love the dog, so that's not an issue.  Although they have two of their own, so it might be rather pet crowded.

Anyone?  

[cleo29]

I've done that drive, twice and honestly, it's not terrible. Once you get past the PA mountains, it is a nice drive with polite drivers.

I can talk to H, but I might be able to dog sit for you. How is she with other dogs? Oscar is good once he meets the dog and generally he just wants to play with them. lol

[cleo29]

Oh, i was going to say it is a doable drive, but it will be more tiring not having someone to do it with you. Would your H be out there and be able to help on the drive back?

[janiejones]

Hmm. We are driving 17 hours this summer, sans dogs. They will be "kennelled" at our parents houses. I would be inclined to first see if a friend can dogsit, second bring the pet in the car, last option is board the pet. I'm weary of kennels though. (For annecdotal reasons only).

[Deleted]

By yourself? Fly for sure.

[MrsAxilla]

Drive! Two weeks is a long time to board your dog, especially if he's welcome at your parents' house. 17 hours is doable, even if you have to crash overnight somewhere.

[margotmacomber]

I've had to make extensive drives with a small child and a dog multiple times.  I would always choose driving.  It's never as bad as you think it will be.  And having a car at your destination is a pretty big plus, imo.  I actually enjoy driving, so take that for what it's worth.

[goaskalice]

We a are long range driving family but, I wouldn't want to drive 17 hours by myself. I second pp, do you have a friend, or friend's older child who would dogsit for you? We always pay our friends to stay at our house with the animals. It's cheaper than a kennel, safer, and they're more relaxed.

[sonrisa]

I'd fly without the dog.

[Deleted]

cleo, that's a sweet offer, but I couldn't do that to you! I'll have to see what I can do on the dog front. I hadn't thought about having someone dog/ house-sit. That's a good idea. Maybe I can get our old nanny to stay at our house for that time. Then I could pay a neighbor kid to walk her during the day.

I'm hoping if we drive, I can get DH to at least drive one way with us. My mom, who is convinced I'm still 17 years old, and is equally convinced that EVERYONE shares her complete crippling fear of highway driving, will flip her lid if she finds out I'm planning to do it alone. We drove here from Chicago with kids and dog, and it wasn't so bad. But we caravaned, so I wasn't alone-alone.

[cleo29]

May 20, 2013 21:51:22 GMT -5 @weeble said:

cleo, that's a sweet offer, but I couldn't do that to you! I'll have to see what I can do on the dog front. I hadn't thought about having someone dog/ house-sit. That's a good idea. Maybe I can get our old nanny to stay at our house for that time. Then I could pay a neighbor kid to walk her during the day.

I'm hoping if we drive, I can get DH to at least drive one way with us. My mom, who is convinced I'm still 17 years old, and is equally convinced that EVERYONE shares her complete crippling fear of highway driving, will flip her lid if she finds out I'm planning to do it alone. We drove here from Chicago with kids and dog, and it wasn't so bad. But we caravaned, so I wasn't alone-alone.

If you can't get a housesitter, let me know. I am serious about watching the dog; she is such a sweetheart. 

I like road trips. If you do this, my advice is to leave really early so if you stop for breakfast you can already put in three hours or so on the road.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't board the dog for 10 days. But I would not want to drive that far. I think your best bet is a pet sitter who will watch the dog in your house (maybe check Yelp?). It's a tough call.

[mrssandro]

I would drive and bring the dog.

[ECB]

I'm a road-tripper - I LOVE road trips. But the idea of 17 hours alone (well, w/o another adult) kind of makes me cringe.

IF you can find a house-sitter, I'd fly. But if you have to take the dog, I'd absolutely drive. But yes- try to get DH to go w/ you at least one way if not both.

And while I don't know Cleo or your dog- as someone who loves to dogsit, don't be too dismissive of her offer. I offer this to people and I truly, truly mean it!

[Jalapeñomel]

I'd drive. I loved road trips as a kid.

[tizzy]

Just an FYI many airlines have changed their pet policies. They only allow pets that can fit under the seat as a carryon. They no longer allow you to check them. I found this out when looking to travel with my dog. I only checked a couple of airlines, but the one's I did all had that policy.

[Deleted]

I would drive and kennel the dog anyway. A long drive with two kids is one thing, but throwing a dog into the mix is another.