On my many trips Stateside since moving to Germany, I am frequently asked, “Where is Geronimo?”
Geronimo and his pile of hair after a much-needed bath and brushing following our return from out-of-town.
Everyone who knows me, knows that I deeply and probably somewhat obsessively, love my dog. Only the best for my 4-legged friend! When we go out-of-town, Geronimo goes to “camp,” known to the humans as Frau Bunk’s house.
Our many dog-loving neighbors have extended offers to watch G-mo, but – how do I say this? – he is a special snowflake. With many needs, wants, likes, dislikes, and fears, I find that it’s easier to pay someone to watch him. Otherwise I feel guilty about sticking my neurotic pooch on a friend.
That’s where Frau Bunk comes in. She is a German dog trainer who lives nearby and boards dogs in her home. And when I say “home” I really mean “giant doggie compound.”
Frau Bunk and some of her brood. (Picture taken from her website.)
German homes, at least the ones around here, are large by US standards, and Frau Bunk’s house is even bigger than that. It looks to be about the size of your average Texas Baptist Church. So big. She lives there with her husband and the rooms have been turned into dog runs. The yard also has some outdoor runs for the dogs, but most of it is just open space with a big fence around it.
When Geronimo stays there, I know that he is having fun running around with the other dogs, he’s getting tummy scratches from an expert tummy scratcher, and (best of all) he likes going there. Happy Geronimo = Happy Me.
I hate being away from him so frequently and for such long stretches of time, but it gives me peace of mind to know he’s taken care of. That’s all I can ask for. Plus Frau Bunk is cheap; I guess I can ask for that, too.
Who takes care of your pets when you aren’t around? Have you ever seen one dog shed so much? Gross!
It’s funny you posted this because I am taking care of my sister’s pooch this week while she is on vacation! Riley, my sister’s maltipoo, is probably like 1/8th G-mo’s size haha. In fact, she is probably even smaller than that pile of his hair! I’m glad you found an awesome place for him to stay when you guys have to make the trip back!
One of my best friends lives about 2 miles from me so she feeds my kitties (and gives them lots of love!) while I’m traveling. I return the favor when she and her husband travels, so it works out well
One of the reasons we don’t have a dog is because of the stress over leaving a pet with other people when we go out of town. I’m glad Geronimo has such a great place to stay when you do have to leave him!
That’s how we feel about children! Just kidding, sort of…
That pile of fur is disturbing/hilarious. I think there is no “five second rule” for dropped food when you have furry pets!
That is a lot of fur. I bet Geronimo feels ten pounds lighter now! I’m happy he likes to go to camp, which definitely eases your mind while you’re away.
That’s awesome, Amy! The puggles are going to daycare this Saturday for Charlotte’s birthday, but it’s so expensive. I’m hoping a friend of mine will try housesitting for us the next time we need to go somewhere as it’s much cheaper.
We paid a dog sitter when we lived in Germany, but we’ve been lucky enough here to have friends that also have a dog and we trade off watching pets when the other is gone. I’ll admit that what to do with the dog while traveling was one of my big hangups on getting one, but we’ve made it work pretty well so far.
I’m glad its Frau Bunk and NOT Frau Bluecker from young frankenstein….:)
I need a feline version of Frau Bunk for our neurotic cat. How wonderful that Gmo gets to go to camp instead of a cage at the vet!
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