If your poodle is a large Miniature or a Standard, you might think twice before checking her as baggage for a long flight or series of flights. While she'd doubtless rather be with you when you travel, she might be better off staying at home with a pet sitter or going to a boarding kennel.

Boarding Kennels

If you must travel but can't take your poodle with you, one option is to leave her at a boarding kennel. How do you find a good one? Word of mouth is a good start. Ask your dog-loving friends where they take their pets when they're out of town.

Then go visit the kennel. Use your eyes and nose to investigate how clean the kennel is. Find out how much exercise the dogs are given. Ask about emergency procedures and whether the building is equipped with a sprinkler system in case of fire.

Be very selective — your poodle will doubtless miss you, and you want her to be as comfortable as possible in your absence. Now is not the time to be a bargain hunter.

Ask the kennel whether you can bring your own food in, so that your dog doesn't have to have a change in diet. Find out whether you can bring favorite toys and your poodle's bed to the kennel. It's also nice to bring a worn T-shirt or other garment that smells like you.

Pet Sitters

You may choose to have someone come stay in your home or care for your poodle in her own home while you're away. Pet sitters have several advantages over kennels. They give truly personalized attention to your dog. Your dog can stay home (or at least in a home environment, if she stays with the sitter). There's usually less stress because there are usually fewer strange dogs to contend with. And they don't require annual vaccinations as many boarding kennels do.

You're obviously entrusting this person with something very important: your canine family member and (perhaps) the key to your house. Unless your dog stays with a close friend you already know and trust, interview any potential pet sitters in person, preferably with your dog present so you can gauge how the pet sitter interacts with your dog (and how your dog reacts to the sitter). Ask about the sitter's emergency procedures. Ask for references and call them. Go with a pet sitter who has many satisfied, repeat customers.