Family Goes On Vacation: Dad Turns Kennel To Look Like Their Living Room So Dog Will Be Happy

Igor loves his family very much, and never spent a night away from them since becoming a member.  So when they left their home in Norway to go on vacation in Thailand, dad turned his kennel into a replica of their living room so Igor would be happy.

The family should have been looking forward to spending their Easter vacation on sunny beaches across the world, but instead they worried about their beloved English bulldog.  They didn’t want to leave him home alone with a sitter to periodically check on him, and wanted him to be in a place where he’d be safe and not alone.

But a boarding facility isn’t the most inviting living accommodation.  Enclosed in a cage with a cold, concrete floor, surrounded by anxious, barking dogs – who could feel welcomed?

But Igor was in for a pleasant surprise.  His dad didn’t want him to be confused and uncomfortable in a scary new place on his own, so he got permission from Labben Kennel to transform Igor’s personal kennel into a facsimile of the Halvorsens’ living room!

The walls and floor were made to look the same as the ones at home, and dad brought their furniture to be set up before Igor arrived.

When departure day came, Igor whined as he was loaded into the vehicle.  But he and the rest of the family were in for a treat – the kennel looked just like home.  When the humans left, Igor couldn’t even be bothered to care.

Other dogs appreciated being invited to Igor’s “home,” and Hera, a Saint Bernard, visited every day.  They became best friends during their holiday.  Even though he had to be away from his family, Igor had a wonderful vacation.


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Considering Adopting a Second Dog? Does Your Dog Really Need a Friend?

If you already own a dog and are thinking about getting a second one to provide your pup with some companionship, it may seem like an easy decision. After all, you’re an experienced pet owner. How different could it be? But adding another dog to your family dynamic comes with its own pros and cons, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before making the leap.

Things to consider before you decide to adopt a second dog

Ask yourself if your dog needs a buddy

“If you leave your dog home alone for 10 hours a day [while you’re at work], they’re a candidate [for getting another dog] to keep them company,” Joseph Kinnarney, veterinarian and president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, tells Yahoo Health. That may not necessarily be the case for, say, a retired couple who bring their dog with them to most places and spend all their time with their pup. In that case, the dog likely has all of the companionship it needs — namely, you. “Bringing in another dog may or may not hurt, but in general, that’s [already] a really happy family,” he says. “That dog is never alone.”




Consider sticking with the same breed

It’s true that dogs, including ones of the same breed, have their own unique personalities, so getting the same type of dog doesn’t guarantee they’ll be best friends for life. But in general, Kinnarney recommends choosing a second dog that’s the same breed since there’s a greater chance they’ll get along. “If you’re a Maltese person, then I would get another Maltese,” he says. “It will keep a closeness with them and those two dogs are more compatible.” Plus, as the owner, you already have experience with the breed. “You know what to expect by getting the same breed of dog,” notes Kinnarney. “The advantages of knowing your breed is more predictability and it fits in with what you want.”

Have a mutt? They tend to be more flexible and get along with a variety of dogs. So you can either choose a dog that complements your mutt’s disposition, or find a dog that matches the breed of one of the mutt’s parents.






Keep in mind that gender matters

Some experts say that mixing genders is best to prevent dogs from fighting for dominance, which is a higher risk when you have two female dogs together than two males. However, Kinnarney says that having a dog that’s neutered or spayed is more important than whether the dog is male or female.






Assess your budget

Doubling down on dogs also means doubling the cost when it comes to dog food, veterinary bills, grooming, and boarding. So make sure there’s room in your budget to care for a second furry companion.






Take into account your dog’s temperament

Above all, “know your dog,” says Kinnarney. If your pet doesn’t get along with other dogs and truly prefers humans, then bringing in a fellow furry companion may be more like having an unwelcome guest forced upon him or her. But if your dog is friendly and gets along with most other dogs at the dog run or when you’re taking walks, but seems a little lonely at home, a companion just might perk up your pup — and you.




Check animal shelters first

If you’re sure you want to add another dog to your brood, skip the pet stores, which often receive dogs from puppy mills, according to the Humane Society. Go to an animal shelter first, even if you’re looking for a purebred. One in every four dogs at animal shelters in the U.S. is a purebred, according to the Humane Society, and choosing a shelter dog often helps save the dog’s life. If you don’t find what you’re looking for at a shelter, then visit a responsible dog breeder in person. FOLLOW US!

Proven Ways to Calm Your Dog from Storms, Separation Anxiety, and Other Phobias

If your dog briefly startles at loud sounds or hangs back when approached by a stranger, chances are he's exhibiting a normal stress response that is entirely healthy. A short-term reaction to a stressful or unfamiliar event allows your dog to prepare to fight or take flight if necessary. In the wild, the fight-or-flight response keeps animals alive in the face of threats to their survival.

Unfortunately, in today's world, maladaptive stress responses – chronic, long-term anxiety and phobias -- are a growing problem for companion dogs. These fear-based conditions often take the form of separation anxiety, storm and/or noise phobia, or aggression.

To read more on this story, click here: Proven Ways to Calm Your Dog from Storms, Separation Anxiety, and Other Phobias FOLLOW US!