This week didn’t go as planned.
We had a dog sitter lined up.
Everything was set.
And then the plan fell apart at the last minute.
Suddenly, instead of leaving the dogs at home with the sitter, we needed to board two of them.
That one change set off a whole chain reaction.
The boarding plans meant we needed to squeeze in last-minute Bordetella vaccines.
That unexpected trip to the vet ended up costing us $280.
All because Plan A disappeared.
One change can affect everything when you have dogs
This is one of those things I’ve learned repeatedly as a dog parent.
Even when you think you’re completely prepared, there always seems to be one more detail.
Something you forgot.
Something you didn’t realize you would need.
Or something completely outside your control that changes the entire plan.
And travel seems particularly good at uncovering those things.
Check requirements before you need your backup plan
What caught us was that we weren’t originally planning to board the dogs.
Once boarding became the backup plan, suddenly we had requirements we hadn’t needed to think about before.
That experience made me realize it’s worth knowing your backup options before something goes wrong.
If your sitter cancels, where could your dog stay?
If boarding is the backup, what does that particular facility require?
Are your dog’s vaccination records current for their requirements?
Do they need paperwork from your veterinarian?
Does the facility have availability?
And if your dog has medications, food requirements, fears, behavior concerns, or other special needs, do you have all of that information ready to hand over?
You may never need Plan B.
But when your original plan falls apart a few days before a trip, you’ll be very glad you already thought about it.
Write everything down before life gets hectic
Whether your dog stays with a sitter, a family member, or at a boarding facility, there are so many little things another person needs to know.
Meal amounts. Medication. Veterinarian information. Emergency contacts. Your dog’s normal routine. Behavior quirks. Things that frighten them. Things that help them relax. Where supplies are located.
The things that feel incredibly obvious when you live with your dog every day may not be obvious at all to someone else caring for them.
That’s why I created my Leaving Your Dog Behind Vacation Checklist.
It gives you a place to think through those details before you’re standing at the door with your suitcase wondering what you forgot.
And if your dog is traveling with you instead, I have a separate guide for that too.
Hopefully your travel preparations go a little smoother than ours did that week.
But if they don’t… having a backup plan can make an unexpected change much easier to handle.
Originally sent to Rescue Dogs 101 subscribers on April 23, 2026. Published online in September 2026.
