Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital 2009 / Summer Vacations on a Budget

Summer Vacations on a Budget

by Shannon M. Pecora, MA.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

Dreaming of a week in Hawaii? Paris? Australia? For many of us, money is tight enough that we’ll just have to keep dreaming! But we don’t want to give up the tradition of the summer vacation. If you need to cut back on time off work, transportation and hotel costs, or kennel bills for the dog and cat, why not try out a “stay-cation”?

Within the distance of just a single tank of gas, there are many fun destinations for a day or overnight stay. Think of Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Luray Caverns, Deep Creek Lake…you may still be able to travel with your family without breaking the bank. And the arrangements for your family pet can be simplified as well.

For example, if you plan to spend a few hours in D.C., from breakfast until mid-afternoon, you don’t have to keep your puppy in a crate all day. You can arrange for a stay in doggie daycare where your puppy will get plenty of opportunity to play and take potty breaks. You can often have daycare attendants feed him his breakfast, lunch, or dinner, too. As you relax and bond with your spouse and kids, your dog will get to enjoy a day of socialization and exercise!

Even an overnight stay in Williamsburg may be within your reach. Generally, a night’s stay in a kennel is comparable to the cost of a day of daycare. Rather than spend a lonely night at home, your dog or cat can be fed, pampered, and played with, then even have a bath and nail trim before you pick him up the next day. It can give you a sense of security knowing that your pet will be happy and well cared for while you’re away.

We all deserve a little time off, even if it is only a very little time. If you do get to plan a “stay-cation” this season, let your pet enjoy a mini vacation, too!