Chambanacon (and Windy)

[tigertoy]

Well, it took all afternoon, but eventually I got the Hilton to take my reservation, so I have a room for Chambanacon. (A word to the wise: the hotel seems to be out of 2-bed rooms, and looks to be full enough that if you miss the deadline for the convention rate, you probably won't even be able to get a 1-bed room at the convention rate. Based on something the clerk mumbled, you might be able to book a room on the web using the group code 'CHA' -- but since I didn't know that until I'd already gotten a room by phone, I don't know if that actually works.)

If I can manage to arrange for dog care, I'll actually be at the con.

Which is the same boat as I'm in for Windycon.

The problem I have is that my older dog, Windy, is sick enough that he needs medication twice a day. I used to think that he didn't really need the pill, but lately, when I've forgotten one of the pills a couple of days running (so he got one instead of two) he's been quite noticeably droopy. Combine that with the fact that Meg has taken to stealing his food if they're fed together, and it's more than my next door neighbor is willing to handle, and I really don't want to ask someone to drive out from Champaign 4 times in a weekend, and I'm struggling to find a solution. Leaving them with the breeder is a pain for me, and although they haven't complained, it's probably a pain for them (though they have so many dogs that they may not notice a couple more for a weekend).

Somehow, I need to find a reputable dog-sitter in my area. I have a neighbor that runs a kennel; I am hoping I can persuade them to "board" my dogs at my own house. I'm currently awaiting a return phone call.

Comments

[tollermom]

Good luck finding a good sitter!

If the nearby kennel folks don't work out, you might check with the vets in the area... sometimes they'll have vet techs who do petsitting on the side.

I got lucky when my housemate moved out... I found a good sitter and all of my animals like her. She leaves me notes about each visit (three times per day, since my guys are indoors and have no way to get out to the grass except when the sitter is here), and she called me the first night at OVFF to find out where I'd left the probiotics supplement so that she didn't miss giving them.

It makes a huge difference knowing that I can go away for a few days and come home to happy healthy critters.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Did they change hotels for Chambanacon? I took Fuzzball there every time I went.

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

Chambanacon changed hotels (and cities) years ago, when we could no longer get hotel space on Thanksgiving weekend because an <expletive deleted> high school football tournament takes up all the rooms. The old Chancellor has been half knocked down.

In any case, I have two malamutes. They don't travel well, I don't have nearly enough car space to transport them and my con gear at the same time, and while some hotels will allow a bichon frise, not many will allow big dogs.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Too bad. Malamutes are cool. One of my favorite bits of video I ever shot for a news story was a malamute doing a "review" of a parade. I put the microphone up to the dog and he went, "Woo woo woo woo woo! Woo woo woo woo woo!" He was shaking his head back and forth as he did this, and it really did look like he was commenting!

[pwl1.livejournal.com]

We have much the same problem for one of our cats. He gets insulin twice a day. Fortunately, we have a petsitting service. We've thought of bringing him to FKO next year. (The others can manage quite nicely at home, thank you!) But we prefer someone who can look after my pets in their own home. It makes for far less stress - both for them, and for me. Good luck. (And I second the suggestion of checking with your vet.)