Researchers from St. Pancras polled the nation’s dog owners and revealed that 21 percent had returned early from holiday because they couldn’t bear to be away from their furry friend any longer.
In fact, 22 percent shelled out on an early flight to get back to their fur baby and 35 percent hit the road sooner than planned.
And of those who had left a holiday early to get back to the pooch, the average time it took before they packed their bags and went home was just FOUR days.
Of the dog owners who lasted the course of their holiday, 39 percent said they couldn’t stop wondering what their pet was doing, and more than a quarter (26 percent) wished their dog was with them.
34 percent constantly asked the person who was dog-sitting for them to send photos, 17 percent insisted on video calls with their pooch, and 16 percent admitted to spending hours looking at pics of their hound.
While 18 percent confessed they spent the whole holiday talking about their dog to anyone who would listen, 28 percent missed their pet for the entire trip – and almost one in 20 (4 percent) were reduced to tears just thinking of their dog.
As many as 35 percent have bought their furry friend a present from holiday, to help alleviate their guilt about leaving them behind.
The study found that almost a quarter (23 percent) of respondents admitted the nicest thing about their holiday was arriving home and seeing their pooch again – while 19 percent vowed NEVER to go away without taking their dog with them.
The study also found that the best things about being reunited with their dog were seeing their cute little face (56 percent), having a welcome home cuddle on the sofa together (50 percent), taking them on a special big walk (46 percent), and smelling their fur again (20 percent).
67 percent of dog owners said their pet jumps around like mad when they see them after a holiday, 54 percent said they jump up and kiss them, and one in ten (10 percent) instantly get their lead for walkies.
Little wonder then, perhaps, that 31 percent of those polled said they always plan their holidays around their pet, by taking dog friendly transport and staying in dog friendly accommodation, with a further 50 percent saying they always try to.
Of those who always take their dog away with them, the vast majority (86 percent) said this meant holidaying in the UK, rather than going abroad.
Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at St. Pancras and HS1 Ltd, which commissioned the study said: “The results of the study highlight just what a nation of dog lovers Brits are. St Pancras is a dog-friendly station so we are used to seeing the joy that travelling with pets can bring. Not only can train travel be more convenient but it is also a more sustainable way to travel.”
The research also revealed the best things about taking your dog on holiday, with having the whole family together top of the list (57 percent), followed by giving their fur baby the chance to explore somewhere new (51 percent), letting them paddle in the sea (35 percent), and seeing them be admired by other families (18 percent).
And 35 percent love being able to take pictures of their dogs on vacation, for their social channels.
Overall, almost three quarters (73 percent) of the dog owners polled said they think one of the responsibilities of having a pet is not leaving them behind when they go on holiday.
