Holiday Travel: My Dog's Hunger Strike Begins

I've had Shelby since she was eight weeks old. I socialized her with other domestic pets. She loves cats and rabbits. Dogs, not so much. She's very selective about dog friends. That could be why Shelby detests boarding. I'd take her to tour the best-rated kennels. During the walk through, Shelby would give the scene a disinterested look-over before pulling us toward the exit as though her fur was on fire.

If I boarded her at a kennel, she reportedly sat staring out the kennel run door-constantly. At 'dog recess' she was annoyed by the attention of other dogs. She sat staring out of the fence like a federal prisoner contemplating escape. She liked the staff, but would react jealously if other dogs came near the staff. She snapped at a German Shepherd once in the yard. She had to be removed from the general population.

If there was a shred of enjoyment for her at a kennel, it was when her antics landed her into solitary playtime. She savored the embracing arms of staff that coddled her.

Oh, and the hunger strike. I always packed Shelby's favorite food, treats and toys when she went to the kennel. Still, she refused food.

"Miss Harris, we don't know what to do. We've sprinkled Parmesan cheese, tuna fish, and more on her food. She won't eat. Our staff has given her pieces of hotdogs or cheese used to hide medications. Sometimes she eats those, but usually she turns up her nose. We're at our wits end." I've gotten that phone call time and again from kennel managers.

What's a dog mom to do?

It turns out that my dog will go on a hunger strike no matter where she's kept if I'm gone too long. I was gone from sunrise-to-sunset due to work. I arrived home and my boyfriend, who threw up his hands, said that she refused to eat. He'd put cheese on her food. Nothing worked. (He was somewhat offended that she didn't feel secure enough with him to eat without me there. Yes, we had a Dr. Phil moment). I sat down at the kitchen table near her food dish. Shelby went to her dish, looked over her shoulder at me, and then started eating.

It's enough to make a dog mom feel guilty.

That is, until I discovered her hunger strike was selective. My best friend's mother watched Shelby for several days during a summer vacation. The family owns and operates a popular restaurant. Guess who enjoyed restaurant take-out every night? No hunger strike. When I returned, Shelby had gained a little weight. I also learned that she enjoyed the restaurant fare from the comforts of a heat pad on the over-stuffed couch. Nice.

I want Miss Shelby coddled while I'm gone, but there must be boundaries. I don't want an unmanageable dog that demands heat pads and restaurant take-out!

I do not attempt to board Shelby anymore. I don't burden family friends with holiday pet care. I hire a pet sitter.

Oh, we've had 'pet sitter mishaps,' mind you. Once, Shelby wouldn't eat so a pet sitter cooked them both steak. (I told the sitter that she was welcome to eat at my home and help herself to any food or drink). Shelby wouldn't eat her dog food for days thereafter; she wanted steak. It was a battle of wills for a week. I didn't give in, although I had weak moments. Shelby finally got hungry enough that she ate dog food.

This month my boyfriend and I are taking a ski vacation in Colorado. The pet sitter I used in the past is not available. Oy! The search is on. I've never had a bad experience with a pet sitter because I've always chosen someone by referral or listed with the Georgia Network of Professional Pet Sitters (GNPP).

A sitter, referred by a neighbor, is meeting with us tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Does your family pet struggle with boarding or sitting during your holiday travel? Share your story in the Comment Box below.