My son went for scans last week, we got the results back on Wednesday. They werent good. He has another tumor growing in his spine (T12 for those of you interested). He is having another MRI in 6 weeks and then depending on the results of that (growth rate etc.) he will be starting experimental drugs to try to get the cancer under control once again. Thew tretment is going to last for up to 12 months. We are not going to be able to be at home for those 12 months.

I am terrified as to what I am going to do with Freya. She is 10 weeks old and every body who I know who could look after her dont have high enough fences or arent going to be able to raise her the way I want her to be raised.

I am considering a house/pet sitter to live in my house for the 12 months.
I am wondering if anyone has done this, or knows of anyone who has done this adn how it worked out for you/them?
I am nervous about leaving her, but giving her to a shelter is not an option. She was my son's wish. God forbid if my son doesnt pull through, Freya is something living that I have of him.

I am writing up a hige list and will be getting the sitter to sign a contract between themselves and myself, in regards to them commiting to my animals and their mental and physical health and stimulation.

I'm also writing up a large manual on how I want her looked after, what her daily rutine etc is.

Is there anything I should put into the contract that I may not have thought of yet?

THanks.

I'm SO sorry to hear this.

My advice to you is if you are considering this, get an attorney to look at the contract. Allowing someone into your home unsupervised for that long is a HUGE risk/liability. Get an attorney involved.

We have a "manual" for taking care of Koda & Hailey too... it must be a husky thing

I am so sorry to hear of you're news. My thought's and prayers go out to you and you're family. I hope everything goes well for you're son.

I've never had a pet sitter (my neighbors usually watch my animals) but I do know that my dog trainer does boarding in her home for long periods of time. It could be worth looking into private trainers doing boarding for you. At least then you're pup would get trained and would be looked after appropriately. It also wouldn't be a bad idea as Tori mentioned to get an attorney involved.

I am so sorry to hear this. I will be thinking about you and your family sending good thoughts your way.

I have no Idea on what to do about Freya I think Tori and Kelly have given you some good advice on getting and attorney involved.

yeah I'm thinking about the attourney as well. Thanks for the advice.

I'm so sorry to hear about your son; my thoughts and prayers are with you two.

Will you be living in the hospital/treatment facility with your son or in a hotel/renting an apartment? If the latter, you could find a place that allows dog and hire a normal pet sitter that can take care of the dog during they day/times when you are at the hospital. I know it won't have the high fence etc. benefits of your home but it might be cheaper and I would think less risky.

If your only choice is a live-in pet sitter at your house for 12 months I would also agree about getting an attorney involved and looking for a reputable candidate with good references.

Good luck in this stressful time.

Thanks Jenny.
I'll be staying at Ronald McDonald house for the 12 months. It is right across the road from the hospital.

I have found a company that do house minding. On signing up with them (If I decide to) I and the person I pick to mind my house have to sign contracts.
I have to make a list of everything I want done/not done with my home & animals and the minder has to sign the contract saying she/he is going to do them.

I think going through a company will be my safest way to ensure both my home and my animals will be looked after.

I'm not commiting myself to anything until I've spoken to the doctor one last time (We go back in 4 weeks to speak to him) and also I've got to speak to my step-dad who has experience with house sitters. I have to wait until he gets back from his fishing trip before I can speak to him.

That company sounds like a great solution! Seems like it adds protection for all involved. Good luck with the house situation and prayers are with your son's diagnoses.

So sorry to hear the news i hope if you do need to do the treatment that it works, thats suck a long time to be away from home, i would do my hardest to try and work with the housing place you will be in about bringing Freya with you, as it was your sons wish and im sure having Freya with your son during the treatments would make him feel better. can you see about getting her registered as a service dog?

I am so sorry to hear that. Our thoughts are with you.

I'm with Jennifer - I wonder if they would allow you to bring Freya - I see a story here in the states about someone being allowed a dog in the Ronald McDonald house:
http://www.chron.com/life/article/Ronald-McDonald-House-dog-helps-sick-kids-feel-1621162.php

Many have therapy dogs, and I hope you can get Freya certified. I know it's an additional stress, but perhaps like Jennifer said, it would be a big help to all the kids in the house.
http://teamrmhc.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/dogs-days-of-summer/
http://www.rmh-newyork.org/therapy-dogs
http://www.sidewalkdog.com/blog/2009/10/much-ado-about-a-doodle-jerry-makes-the-ronald-mcdonald-house-a-home/
http://corpuschristirmhc.org/index.php/staff/our-house-dog-sophia

I am so sorry to hear about your son.

Another option might be a foster carer who could look after Freya for a year and then return her to you. I know there is a charity in the UK (called the Cinnamon Trust) that helps to care for the dogs of people who are sick. I wonder if there is something like that in Australia?

You could also ask the staff at the Ronald McDonald house if they have any ideas. They might know what other familes do in similar circumstances.

My thoughts go out to you and your family, especially your son. Hoping you can figure it your puppy situation eventually with ease!

Francine, I really don't have anything to add as far as what to do with Freya, but my thoughts and prayers are with you guys through all of this.

Thanks again, everyone. I really appreciate all the advice and the warm wishes.

I'll ask the office girls at Ronald McDonald, but to be honest, I really dont see it happening.
The reason it is a 'no animals' facilility is becuase of the risk of infection.

It'd not that Freya is dirty, she's far from it. But when a child (Or anyone for that matter) is having chemoptherapy their white blood cells are reduced, sometimes to dangerously low levels.
If Blake were to get a scratch from Freya while he is on treatment (especially being experimental, we dont know all of the side efects he is going to get) it could be a risk to his life. Not to mention fecal matter.

Oh my I am so so sorry to hear this! Your son and your are in my prayers.

I'm so sorry to hear this You're in my thoughts and prayers...

I'd look into seeing if there are any other husky owners in the area that would be willing to look after Freya..

How would I go about that?

I think the problem is solved.
My Mum and step-dad have agreed to look after her.
They are going on a cruise for 3 weeks in october and are going to scotland next year for 8 weeks but have agreed to find someone to look after her in those times when they themselves cant.

They have been renovating trhe house they are living in for 2 years now, they have been meaning to put 6ft fences up for a while now. My step-dad says he will get it done before we have to go away for my son's treatment.

It work out really well, my step-dad although he's not a 'dog person' he really loves Huskies. My mum has agreed to walk her twice a day, morning and night, and although she may not recieve as much 1 on 1 attention as I give her at home she will be loved and looked after.

The only thing that will be a big change for her is she wont be aloud inside while we are away. But she will have 3/4 of an acre to run around on with a massice patio for shelter.

My mum and step-dad both work, so she wont have someone there with her all day, but they have a dog themselves, so she will have company.

My mum and step-dad have drinks on the patio every night after they get home so she will get 1 on 1 time with them then.

I feel like a weight has been lifted.

I am so sorry to hear about your son, my thoughts and prayers will be with you all. I'm glad your mom and stepdad have agreed to watch Freya. I'm sure she will be fine with them. Both my girls live outside and they seem to prefer it that way. Has she been socialized with their dog? I would make sure they meet and greet and get used to one another before you have to leave if possible.

my mum's dog just spent a week at my house, while my mum went to queensland to visit my brother.
My mum's dog is a maltese terrior, but she is dominant to most other dogs. She is also elevent years old and a bit past annoying little puppies, but is tollerant of Freya up to a point.

Freya thinks she's great. A little too enthusiastic maybe. My mum's dog has the laundry with a doggy door that Freya cant fit through to escape Freya's hyperactivity if she so desires.