[1Old Pro]

This is the longest I've been without a canine companion

We decided to wait one year. They are a big responsibility especially when travelling and you don't have a simple solution. We boarded ours, one week was about the same a two nights in a luxury hotel.

[usconservative]

When I was still married and my boys were young, our vacations always included the dogs. When I divorced, I did the same with Teddy. He went everywhere with me. I think we boarded Teddy once for 8 days while we were in Alaska and that was it.

I agree, they're a huge responsibility and a commitment for their lifetime. I feel somewhat guilty saying I enjoy my freedom too much to get another one while at the same time missing that kind of companionship. I don't think it'd be fair to a dog for me to be gone as much as I am, even if I had a sitter come in and take care of them. That just seems to be cruel.

I get my "fix" by doggy sitting friends dogs when they go away. That seems to work pretty well for me. :-)