Unlike countries like Japan, United States or Canada, the hotels from where I come from (no matter how many stars they are) have a policy about not allowing pets into the hotels.
With the week long Chinese New Year holidays just around the corner, it's that time of the year again for many pet owners - looking for home boarding for their pets while they go on vacation. Luck ones will get help from friends or relatives, while others opt to send their pets to boarding centres such as the Pet's Hotel which could cost a paw & a tail if your pet poodle is staying for many days there.
When Slow Coach & Charlie were young, they were sent to my husband then boyfriend's house for a couple of days when I went on vacation. Back then, it was a piece of cake taking care of them. For one, they were kept in a plastic container. Therefore, no missing tortoises when I come back from vacation.
Secondly, they fed on tortoise pellets. Therefore, no headaches when it comes to feeding time. At that time, the tiny tortoises ate very little but frequently, just like human babies. Nowadays they eat like birds if they don't like the food or eat like hungry tigers if the food is to their likings. Very picky & difficult to please indeed.
Lastly, they don't need to be taken out of their container for their walk or daily exploration. They were just as happy being in their small enclosure, oblivious to the changes in the surrounding. Though their container is tiny, the lid above their heads gave them a sense of security. Now, nothing can keep them indoors if they don't want too. *sigh* Those were the good old days.
When the tortoises were much older, home boarding didn't work for Slow Coach & Charlie anymore. Having already outgrown their plastic container, they were moved into bigger plastic bathtubs & were free to roam around in the house. Soon they began exploring their surroundings & found their own favourite spots, like under the fridge or under the coffee table. When they were sent to home boarding, their were checked-into a presidential suite (in the tortoise world for a large bathroom). However, when I called the owner of the presidential suite (a.k.a. my boyfriend), I found out that both Slow Coach & Charlie sat at a corner each in their suite & have neither budged an inch nor ate anything since checking in. A picture of depression. I guess they must have really missed the hands who fed them, bathed them & took care of them. You'll be surprised that they can recognised people as well as their surrounding very well.
Since then, I realised that they prefer to remain at home when I go on my next vacations. To them it's always home sweet home! When they are left at home on their own (so far, no more than 2 nights) I will usually feed them at frequent intervals for a few days before I go off (up to 2 meals a day) to make sure they are well fed, so that they can hibernate at their favourite spots until I return. Remember that adult tortoises need to be fed only about 3 times a week. So, they'll be alright on their own for a couple of days.
It will be so again this year unless they decide to build sandcastles with me at the beach. =)
With the week long Chinese New Year holidays just around the corner, it's that time of the year again for many pet owners - looking for home boarding for their pets while they go on vacation. Luck ones will get help from friends or relatives, while others opt to send their pets to boarding centres such as the Pet's Hotel which could cost a paw & a tail if your pet poodle is staying for many days there.
When Slow Coach & Charlie were young, they were sent to my husband then boyfriend's house for a couple of days when I went on vacation. Back then, it was a piece of cake taking care of them. For one, they were kept in a plastic container. Therefore, no missing tortoises when I come back from vacation.
Secondly, they fed on tortoise pellets. Therefore, no headaches when it comes to feeding time. At that time, the tiny tortoises ate very little but frequently, just like human babies. Nowadays they eat like birds if they don't like the food or eat like hungry tigers if the food is to their likings. Very picky & difficult to please indeed.
Lastly, they don't need to be taken out of their container for their walk or daily exploration. They were just as happy being in their small enclosure, oblivious to the changes in the surrounding. Though their container is tiny, the lid above their heads gave them a sense of security. Now, nothing can keep them indoors if they don't want too. *sigh* Those were the good old days.
When the tortoises were much older, home boarding didn't work for Slow Coach & Charlie anymore. Having already outgrown their plastic container, they were moved into bigger plastic bathtubs & were free to roam around in the house. Soon they began exploring their surroundings & found their own favourite spots, like under the fridge or under the coffee table. When they were sent to home boarding, their were checked-into a presidential suite (in the tortoise world for a large bathroom). However, when I called the owner of the presidential suite (a.k.a. my boyfriend), I found out that both Slow Coach & Charlie sat at a corner each in their suite & have neither budged an inch nor ate anything since checking in. A picture of depression. I guess they must have really missed the hands who fed them, bathed them & took care of them. You'll be surprised that they can recognised people as well as their surrounding very well.
Since then, I realised that they prefer to remain at home when I go on my next vacations. To them it's always home sweet home! When they are left at home on their own (so far, no more than 2 nights) I will usually feed them at frequent intervals for a few days before I go off (up to 2 meals a day) to make sure they are well fed, so that they can hibernate at their favourite spots until I return. Remember that adult tortoises need to be fed only about 3 times a week. So, they'll be alright on their own for a couple of days.
It will be so again this year unless they decide to build sandcastles with me at the beach. =)
Wishing all of you a prosperous piggy year. Happy Chinese New Year & Gong Xi Fa Chai!
