Staying Put in Town This Season

This is very unusual for me. I haven't traveled out of town for almost three years. Oof. Travel is back in fashion, but I'm not out there. The main pull factor to stay in town — Choya. This little girl has gone through so much in her 4.8 meagre years of existence. I'm not keen to put her through anymore trauma, if I can help it. 

Of course I had planned for a trusted daycare and boarding facility to take her when we travel. That was in 2019. The pandemic lockdowns resulted in not having any need to do that for two years. Then this year, her intended boarding facility suddenly went bankrupt and closed down. I was rather annoyed. Now I have to start the process all over again to search for a facility that I trust.  

Boarding will be a problem. If they're not fastidious about wiping down her paws, anus and all each time she comes in from a walk, she is going to have diarrhea so bad that the boarders might just put her on antibiotics, and she might have to live in filth. Sometimes, it's not the facility, it's down to the individuals rostered to care for the dogs on any given day/night. When I realized how sensitive Choya's stomach is, and how much bacteria there is lurking at daycare facilities and such, I'm reluctant to let her go to daycare regularly. No more. Dropping her off at play school for a few hours is fine.

I don't feel stifled, yet. But the years are long. I might sing a different tune next year. That said, there's nothing preventing me from hopping out on a solo trip. Muahahahah. The man can care for Choya just fine. I'm not sure he can follow all my instructions. But he will be the best caregiver next to me. I'm reluctant to hand her over to the BFF. Sure, Godma is perfectly capable to care for her too. Choya will be handed to her in the event of our deaths (it's in our wills). But to have her babysit Choya while we go for a vacation isn't something I want to trouble her with for 10 days or two weeks. If the BFF cares for Choya, she ought to be paid too, and her schedule be given utmost consideration. 

(Okay, Smol Girl, I forgive you for anxiety-peeing in my bed from being frightened out of your wits during the thunderstorm last weekend.) 

Am I a little envious when I see travel photos? Not really. I'm happy to view them and curious to know what new changes and developments there are in cities I know, and what's happening in the venues that I don't know. When the friends travel, I ask them to get me souvenirs — to post photos on their social media accounts or to simply send them to me. They do! Yayyy. I can travel vicariously through them. Joy is infectious. I love that! 

I'm very glad that I did a lot of traveling in the years prior to the pandemic. In this season of life, since I have made a commitment to Choya, I'll give her the best care I can. Her lifespan isn't long. She deserves to be happy and well-fed. 

Sus-faced dog was trembling too much to walk in the thunder 
that crackled non-stop. Had to carry her to the car.