As a retired volunteer search dog handler, I understand how important pets are and how they can be a part of our families.
In 2011, I got a puppy as my search dog, but I soon realized that puppies cannot be left alone while we are at work. I decided to hire a puppy sitter who played a crucial role in my dog's life for his first nine months. She came every day at lunchtime, fed him, played with him, and let him go potty. She was indispensable!
Recently, when I had to undergo hip surgery, I needed to find a place for my three dogs to stay during my recovery. Finding a place was not easy, as most of them were already full. Finally, I found a boarding kennel, but my dogs were not very comfortable there and would have been better off at home with someone dropping by.