Find Care: Great Pet Care

When I got Dante, my now 8-year-old Italian Greyhound/Whippet mix, I was a student and freelance journalist and worked from home. Dante and I both got used to the routine -- he quickly learned that the old AOL dial-up session "Goodbye" signaled time to walk and the end of my workday -- and the luxury of being inseparable most of the week. But when 9-11 happened and freelance work became non-existent, I had to take an office job in publishing that took me away from home -- and him.

Dante and I were lucky. Most dog owners have to deal with the reality of pet care as soon as they come home with their new puppy. So for you newbies or struggling "sophomore" pet owners, here are two of the more popular regular pet care options for dogs and what you can expect.

Dog walking

Having someone come in the middle of the day to walk the dog, give him water, and keep him company is the obvious first choice for many. Through a service like Care.com or an online classified advertising site, it's pretty simple to find someone nearby to come walk your dog for an hour at lunch for anywhere between $10 and $25 a day, depending on where you live. (That is, it's simple once you get over the idea of a stranger in your house when you're not home and of giving them a set of your keys.)

Since I commuted about an hour each way to work, however, my long hours required twice-daily walks (small dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than 4 to 5 hours at a time), and this "a la carte" style pet care option quickly got pricey. Most dog walkers charge an increased fee to come more than once (at lunch and after work, for instance), so that $60 a week (at $12 a day) quickly became $90. I was also frequently away on weekends for conferences, and traditional dog walkers can be extremely expensive for overnights -- or not available at all, which means you'll need a supplementary pet sitting option.

Doggie day care

Someone finally suggested a doggie day care, located about 5 miles from my office. I balked. "Doggie day care?" I could already hear my friends and family laughing as I broke the news, mocking and making the comparisons (and pointing out the differences) between pets and real children. But I went to check it out, and it turned out to be just what both Dante and I needed. For $18 a day (most run between $15 and $35, again depending on where you live), I could drop my dog off any time between 6 and 10 a.m. and pick him up any time until 7 p.m. He played all day, indoors and out, with a cast of other dogs big and small, and came home each day happy and exhausted.

Plus, my dog was literally my co-pilot, keeping me company during my commute, which was priceless in the sanity-saving department. The dog day care owners also offered overnight and weekend sitting for just a few dollars more, which was fantastic since it was a) convenient, and b) Dante was already comfortable with the place and the people.

Pets need stability

Whichever pet care option(s) you choose, make sure they meet and anticipate your needs (and your pet's) in the long term. If you live in an urban area, pet care -- much like food, entertainment and rent -- will be readily available but at a premium price. If you live in the suburbs or a more rural area, expect to have to hunt a bit more for pet care options, but once found, you'll most likely pay less for that pet care than you would in the city.

No matter where you live, however, remember that pets are more affected by change than humans, and need routine and structure to be the happy, healthy pets you love and hoped to have. Their behavior (good and bad) will depend on the regularity of care and number of caregivers, so do your homework, make sure your bases are covered, and feel confident that the options you choose are ones you can afford to sustain.