Amy, since you only have 3 plants- why don't you give them to a friend or family member to take care of during vacation? I did pretty okay while I was gone for two weeks- I gave some plants to my co worker to take care of. The rest stayed at home and I invested in one of those automatic, battery operated watering systems- it's called Green Genius. For the most part it worked okay- only lost my mints. I gotta be honest- my plants were quite far from lush and green when I returned but at least they were alive. And, it was my first time using that thing so I didn't quite know how much water would come out, etc etc. It was also in the dead middle of summer so they really wanted a lot of water. You'll be gone right during winter, so their watering need will be significantly less. One month seems like a long time for me to leave a plant in the bath tub- so I really think you should try and find a friend/family/ co worker who can possibly keep these plants for you for the month. If not, I'd go with either a nursery or an autmatic watering system (mine cost about $50 but I go away at least twice a year so it's worth it to me)- which ever works out more cost effective for you. There are also several other automatic watering devices available out there in several price ranges. Toni for example makes her own (for her citrus I think if I remember correctly). Perhaps she can brief you better about it. Just do a search of 'automatic plant waterer' or something along those lines- that's what I did. I saw several products but since I needed to water about 15 of them- some seemed too costly. Since you have only 3 plants, I think you have more options than I did.

We kind of flip flopped with the sleeping situation. DD dated someone for 2.5 years post college but they lived in separate cities 2 hours from each other (we live 6 hours from her). He came here twice and we put them in separate bedrooms (all of our spare rooms have twins, with one room having a trundle). That was our first experience with a BF/GF staying over so I think we just weren't ready for it yet or maybe because it was DD, not DS...I'm not quite sure. Later, youngest DS moved to Chicago after college and dated somone for a year, then they moved in together. When they came to visit, it seemed kind of dumb to have them in separate rooms since they were already living together. I set up the trundle but they ended up squishing into a twin....ah young love! I like your criteria MTN of working adults.

I have had to board my dogs a few times. Typically I do board them at my Vets kennel. But that kennel is in such demand, often times they are booked, way in advance, and unavailable on a moments notice. (For those wierd emergency situations.) I think its a good idea to research kennels and find a couple that you like even when you think you wont need them; so you are not scrambling, in the event of an emergency, to find a place to take your dogs. And yes, a good kennel will take both your Vets information and your emergency contact information. And you will sign a release that allows them to take your pet to your vet and authorize treatment should be it necessary. However, in the age of cell phones, this is probably less of an issue than it was in the past. I know one kennel owner who wants you to bring your dog there and spend time with him there a couple times per year, so the dog doesn't not associate the kennel as a place that you always leave him. She's a great dog lady and kenneling your dog there is like a doggie vacation. But she is too far away for it to be practicle for us to use. But If I had to leave my dogs for an extended period of time, for some reason and couldn't get a house sitter, that is the place I would take them. I have visited a few supposedly reputable kennels that I would not leave my dogs at, so its important to look around.

I live in Canada. In Canada, pets are chattels. I am terrified that my husband and I will die together, leaving our pet without family. (My husband has family, but they would not take our dog.) We had our wills redone, naming our executor as the person to take in our dog - and left a sizeable amount of our assets to her for his care - and in gratitude to her for taking him in. But should we die together, her circumstances may have changed and legally not be able to take in our dog (too many of her own etc.). Or she could die. We have listed a Plan B person -also to receive a sum of money. The lawyer thought we were nuts - and had us sign a form indicating we were going against his advice. Funny, when we did our previous wills, the lawyer was wonderful - he had a much loved dog as well - and did caution us though that in Canada, the person can take your money but has no obligation to take your pets. This we knew so it is necessary to pick your people wisely. The second lawyer was indignant and kept asking us how much money it could possibly cost to raise a pet - obviously he didn't have a major little chewing Hoover at home - and besides it isn't just about medical bills and new sofas it is about gratitude. So if we go together in an accident (I hate flying on same plane as my husband) our first choice now gets double the initial amount! Unfortunately, many people think that their children/grandchildren etc. will take in their pets - just speak to people in rescues - many of the beloved pets are dumped by family after they pick up their inheritance checks. We are in our late 50s - in good health - but you never know what will happen. Our dog is 4 - we did not intend 4 years ago to get such a young dog - it just happened. He will be our last dog as I am too scared of what would happen should we die. Pets to me are people and have always been my family. Not everyone shares my view - but many do - and pets sure are nicer than my family ever was. I know there are places in the states that are setting up retirement homes that you can endow so that your pets will have a nice place to live for the rest of their lives. Personally, I would like us all to go tegether. My dog is a breed that does well with his own family - and a few chosen special people. This breed does not do well in shelters and I worry about this. I do not intend to have a funeral and I do not want an obituary and sure hope that if I do die first that my husband honour's my wishes - as stated in our wills and in separate documentation. But if I did have an obit - our dog - and especially my 2 soul mate dogs who hopefully are on Rainbow Bridge - and there had better be a Bridge - would be listed as my pre-deceased family.