I just arrived home from two weeks in France, visiting my son who's going to school there for this year.
Bodhi was in a boarding kennel, AKA "the Slammer" while we were gone.
He's been in lockdown once before, but only for five days. And when he came out that time, he was glad to see me, but not crazy.

This time, he was hysterical when he saw my wife and me, crying, jumping, licking our faces. And doing it for a long time.
It made me feel mucho guilty, that his stay was about a week too long. This is an excellent kennel too, one that gives lots of attention to the dogs. I don't think I''ll ever leave him for that long again. I've had a house sitter with my previous huskies, but I don't trust Bodhi. He escaped from his kennel two days before we left and I still haven't gotten it fixed. After our run this morning, I had the feeling that he has forgiven me "...but don't ever do that again, Dad!"

Some observations about French dog culture. The French take their dogs everywhere with them- restaurants, groceries, pharmacies, cafes. Most of the French dogs are small and unaggressive. I did not see any macho dog behavior. I did not see any pit bulls in France. I did see some German Shepherds, and a beautiful red Norwegian Elkhound. But I didn't see any huskies, save a weird looking miniature husky. I mean really small, like an American Eskimo, but husky looking. The French do not pick up their dog's poop- it's everywhere on the streets. And they consider it to be good luck if you step in it!

wow what a difference in culture with the dogs.

the wedding was the longest we have been gone form our dogs and it was just a few months after we got them, i was going crazy not knowing how things were going.

im glad Bodhi forgave you for leaving him, at least you know he was left in good hands, coming home from a trip and getting doggie love is the best feeling in the world but it also makes me feel bad for leaving them, i always wonder if they know how long it really was, could it just seem like a few days to them or is it like weeks/months to them....

jbealer wrote:

wow what a difference in culture with the dogs.

the wedding was the longest we have been gone form our dogs and it was just a few months after we got them, i was going crazy not knowing how things were going.

im glad Bodhi forgave you for leaving him, at least you know he was left in good hands, coming home from a trip and getting doggie love is the best feeling in the world but it also makes me feel bad for leaving them, i always wonder if they know how long it really was, could it just seem like a few days to them or is it like weeks/months to them....

If you use dog years as the calculator, you were actually gone for 3 and 1/2 months in his mind. Just thought I'd make you feel worse

Paris is well known for its problem with 'crottes de chien'. Yeuch. But I love the way they take their dogs everywhere.

Glad you got such an ecstatic welcome home from Bodhi!

I wish it was more acceptable to take your dogs places here in the US. I much prefer stepping in dog poo to having my expensive dinner ruined by screaming kids. Really I guess whether it's dogs or kids it's really the parents fault for their unwanted behavior.

jalepeno wrote:

But i didn't see any huskies, save a weird looking miniature husky. I mean really small, like an American Eskimo, but husky looking. The French do not pick up their dog's poop- it's everywhere on the streets. And they consider it to be good luck if you step in it!

LOL, I think what you saw was an Alaskan Klee-Kai.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/alaskankleekai.htm

Eeeewwww to the poop, but not many Americans in my town clean up their dogs' poo either. LOL

Wish I could take my dogs more places!

Awesome reunion for you two! That must of been a seriously long two weeks for your dog.

Maybe it was a Klee-Kai, but it was only about 8 inches high.
Really short legs.
The dogs on that website look bigger and more proportional.

Oh man the last thing I wanted to read but of course I did. We leave for Hawaii in 2 weeks and I just dread the thought of leaving Adobo & Biko in prison. We've had Adobo 4+ yrs & Biko 1+ and never left them behind at a boarding kennel. The young girl we use to have is away at college now so we had no choice. I feel BAD Bad bad.

Here4thePics wrote:

Oh man the last thing I wanted to read but of course I did. We leave for Hawaii in 2 weeks and I just dread the thought of leaving Adobo & Biko in prison. We've had Adobo 4+ yrs & Biko 1+ and never left them behind at a boarding kennel. The young girl we use to have is away at college now so we had no choice. I feel BAD Bad bad.

Len, where at in Hawaii? I'm going next February with the extended family. I will be boarding Willow and Piper at a great day care near the airport. I worry that they will love it so much they won't want to come home with me when I go pick them up!

26nikita wrote:

Here4thePics wrote:

Oh man the last thing I wanted to read but of course I did. We leave for Hawaii in 2 weeks and I just dread the thought of leaving Adobo & Biko in prison. We've had Adobo 4+ yrs & Biko 1+ and never left them behind at a boarding kennel. The young girl we use to have is away at college now so we had no choice. I feel BAD Bad bad.

Len, where at in Hawaii? I'm going next February with the extended family. I will be boarding Willow and Piper at a great day care near the airport. I worry that they will love it so much they won't want to come home with me when I go pick them up!

Maui, on the west side Kaanapali, though I'm sure Beth and the sis-in-laws will have us cover the whole island before we leave. I know one day is booked for Hana Highway trip.

We haven't chosen and island yet so I would love to hear all about your vacation when you get back.