Need opinion on where to keep him

[BecksDad]

I really need some advice. During the day when we are at work we keep Beckham in a crate. We happen to live in the same apartment building as my mother in law and she has offered to take care of him on her days off from work, maybe twice a week. She doesn't have air conditioning in her apartment and it is really hot. She also smokes so the combination of tobacco smoke and heat really worries me. I don't want to sound like an overprotective mommy or anything, but I'd almost rather him just stay in his crate at our place and her come and maybe walk him a few times. We'd love for him to have someone around in the day, and its also good for my mom in law since she is alone. WHats better....all day interaction with a person with a little heat or consistency in the crate training? We're confused!

[Susan-n-Bijou]

The heat would be a deal breaker for me.

I think the idea of having your MIL come over to your place is pretty good. She'll have fun with Beck and he'll have a buddy. My Mom is retired and she gets a lot of amusement from her "grandchildren". :)

I'm also a nonsmoker and it bugs me if people are puffing away around my girls. I guess because I don't smoke, I'm more sensitive to it. I can tell if a smoker was petting my dog....peeyewwwww!

Susan and Bijou

[luvnkitty]

Hi
I am a former smoker and it has nothing to do with that. I never smoked in my house because of my pets. It's bad enough I chose to damage my own lungs , But I would never want to cause them any discomfort or harm .
Between the heat and the smoke I would definatley agree ,the crate is better . Eventually he will be out of his crate anyway.
I like the idea of you MIL coming over and taking him for walks. It's great for her and for him as well.

[franp]

I too , am an exsmoker.. and the smoking PLUS the lack of ac is a deal breaker.. Plus, it would disrupt his crate training..

There was an article in the NYTIMES about 2 years ago , by Dr Peter Berg (the chief of Oncology at the Animal Medical Center NYC)talking about the increase in cancer in companion animals...Dr Berg specifically talked about smoking being one of the factors adding to this increase..

In cats, he illustrated how they clean themselves and ingest the carcinogens that land on thier bodies..and the incidence of Lymphoma at the Animal Medical Center (the largest Animal hospital and a teaching hospital in the US) has skyrocketed. Dr Berg feels that this is directly related to smoking..

Don't forget too, how suseptible our dogs are to the heat...Let your MIL come and walk him....

[BecksDad]

Thanks! Thats what I was thinking. He's at her place now for the day, but I'm going to suggest for next time that she comes to our place. It just bothers me too much. I don't want the little guy being uncomfortable all day in the heat and the cigarette smoke isn't good either. She wouldn't smoke in our place.