Respite for me and dog

Flibertigibit

I have recently had a lot of stress and anxiety in my life and am not coping well. My dog (a delightful 4 yr old Lhasa Apso) has been looked after by a number of people (not kennels) because of this recently and now I feel I need to have a short break, about 4-7 days, when I can rest and relax, maybe get some support too, but still keep him with me. I can't afford much being a pensioner but in any case have been unable to find anywhere suitable. So - anyone on here could suggest anywhere? I live in the midlands which means I can go in all directions, but not keen on travelling too far.

elsien

What did you have in mind when you said maybe get a bit of support? That will affect your options.

Flibertigibit

I'm a pedant too and although that sentence was clumsily constructed I can't see a "could of"! Re the support I suppose I mean that I don't want to just rent a cottage/caravan on my own. I would prefer some supportive company to talk things through with if possible. I know this limits my options which is why I decided to ask through the forum.

Flibertigibit

Oh yes, and I know the Mother Julian of Norwich well too and as a Buddhist I agree with her!

missbiggles1

What about looking at retreat centres?

Flibertigibit

Yes, that's what I've been doing, Christian, Buddhist and non denominational but not found one that lets you have your dog with you.

Katiehound

Googled around and these ideas came up- from last year:

How about signing up for a group walking holiday with your dog? Ramblers Holidays runs a Paws on Tour programme in which dogs can join their owners on guided group walks from dog-friendly hotels. It has a five-night trip walking the Dales of Co Durham from August 23-28. Accommodation is at dog-friendly Redworth Hall. Dinner and breakfast at the hotel are included in the cost, from £529 per person, with a £100 single supplement and a £50 charge for your dog (01707 331133; ramblersholidays.co.uk).

For something less structured, the website Explore by Paw (meetup.com/Explore-by-Paw-dog-walking-weekends) has weekend group dog walks and provides details of dog-friendly accommodation nearby.

Another google found the following:

Then there is this one- but sadly expensive:
http://thespiritualdogtrainer.com/retreats/

or this (no prices given)
Madhyamaka Meditation Centre Near York
Dog friendly meditation centre offering courses and retreats. Stunning grounds. Great for relaxing. Treat Yourselves, you deserve it. Why not take a picnic?
Tel + 44 (0) 1759 304 832
Visit www.madhyamaka.org
Please mention Whitby Dog Friendly Holidays when calling.

ps quick look - their website doesn't actually mention dogs!!

Flibertigibit

I am so touched by the trouble and thought you have taken with this response. Perhaps I should have mentioned earlier that I have mobility issues, so walking/rambling holidays with my dog are a no-no much as I love Durham and lived there for a while.

The "spiritualdogtrainer" one just confused me! Apparently the person who runs it lives in Cyprus though the retreats are in South Wales! And it sounds as if there are only two this year and the May one is booked up and I can't wait until September! Plus it sounds as if a lot of the therapies are concentrated on the dogs, whereas my dog, despite his neurotic owner, is pretty normal.

Madhyamaka Meditation Centre Near York does mention dogs but only on Family Open Days. I already go to a nearby NKT Centre for retreats etc but though they are not anti-dog I can't see them allowing one to stay One problem I've found is that many retreat places often have resident cats who I'm afraid would not take kindly to a dog interloper!

Maybe I'm pi**ing in the wind and no such place exists and I am truly sorry that none of your wonderful ideas are really feasible, but the search will go on!

sangie595

Try making your own? I can't begin to know what the stresses you have had are, but often just getting away to some nature helps on it's own. But here's a "make it yourself" break. Drop dead gorgeous B& B north of Swansea - £35 per night for you and the dog http://www.brynawelfarm.co.uk/, and right on the edge of enough nature to soothe any stress. If you fancy a bit more, drop down a few miles to the south into Swansea for http://www.lazyfrogfloatcentre.co.uk/ - oh please try a floatation tank. They are world stoppers. Or they can arrange counselling, and therapy in addition to their facilities (including great sauna) - buy what you want. Maybe drive down through Dylan Thomas land to Cefn Sidan and enjoy a beach that goes on for miles and forest and sand dunes - when I last went a couple of years ago it was a fiver for parking, and take a picnic or buy a snack at the caf!.

These are all places I have been and tried out, but you could make up your own - google is a friend!

missbiggles1

When I put "pets" into the filter, these came up, although I haven't time to check them out.

http://thegoodretreatguide.com/retreats?field_rt_tax_facilities_tid%5B%5D=12&items_per_page=10

Flibertigibit

Thank you so much and I will look into some of the places mentioned on the link you sent.