just had to leave my doggy with friends for two weeks...

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   ryankettposted 14 years ago

   Isn't it just so hard? I could have cried. We get too attached
   To them and I am having a hard time trying to convince myself
   That she  won't feel abandoned.
   
   Does it get easier the next time?

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      frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No. Sorry Ryan - it doesn't. Boo is not my first dog and I've hated leaving every one. I was the same with my cats. Sad but true - I always nipped a couple of days off my holidays to get home and see my 'guys' were all well.
      
      They will feel confused. I'm being totally honest. Dogs (and cats) don't think like us - but they will handle it. Why do you think that when you return they almost turn inside out with pleasure?
      
      Every time you leave Coco she never knows if you're coming back. That's how it is with dogs. So look at it like that. She may not know but you do - and I'm sure you've left her home a day, a few hours etc.
      
      Enjoy your holiday knowing she's well cared for. And look forward to the return party

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   lorlie6posted 14 years ago

   Hey Ryankett-If you're half as neurotic as I, there's one thing that can help.  If you have an answering machine that takes messages at home, call daily, knowing your dog can hear your voice. 'Tis good for you and for pup!

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      ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Not sure if I will do the answer phone thing, think I would feel
      A bit sad and I wouldn't want my friends calling the men in white
      Coats!

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         PegCole17posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         So difficult to leave them for even a short while. We recently vacationed and while my brother looked after our fur children we called every night. He would put the phone on speaker and the dogs would tilt their heads when hearing our voices. Oh, what we won't do for our pets.

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   ryankettposted 14 years ago

   Lol, didn't make me feel any better at all frog but I do appreciate
   Your honesty!
   
   Just so long as she is pleased to see me when I am back I will
   Take that, I just need to harden up, us dog lovers are suckers.

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      frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      We are Honest - she'll be fine. She will miss you, that's for sure.
      
      At least you won't get the phone call I had one year. One of my cats was so cheesed off he buggered off. I found out 10 days in when a vet called me (six miles from where I lived) and said that Sully had wandered in, injured, worse for wear and could I call by, sanction his treatment and say hello to him. I was 250 miles away.
      
      He was chipped by the way - that's how they knew his name, his owner etc. And yes - he really did walk into a vets over in Dewsbury. Presumably he was fed up, hungry and wanted to go home the easy way.

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   Dink96posted 14 years ago

   I completely understand.  Our pets are our "kids" if you will.  I used to be so sad when we'd leave that I'd tell our sitters that I'd call that night.  I always felt better after that call.  Then I could enjoy my vacation.  Of course we had wonderful pet/house sitters who loved our animals as much as we did and spoiled them rotten!
   
   One of our "mutts" moped around all day yesterday b/c my husband was gone.  Today he's as happy as a clam b/c the old man is around the house.  All is right in his canine world.  Oh, if our lives were so simple and grand!
   
   I think a lot of us understand what you're going through.  We'll send positive energy your and your pets' direction and hope for a happy reunion very soon.

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   lrohnerposted 14 years ago

   There's a very cool dog toy that I always used for my dogs when I went away. It's a hard plastic ball with a recording device inside. You record your voice on it, and then when your dog moves the ball, it plays whatever you recorded. I don't know if it comforts them or stymies them, but it sure keeps them occupied!
   
   Coco will be fine. Just think of it as a vacation for her a well!

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      Dink96posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Where did you find that dog toy and do you know what it's called?  Great invention!

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         lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Just click on the link -- I hyperlinked the words "very cool dog toy."

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   Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

   I hate leaving my cat and have only done so four times in six years and I left her with women friends who came to look after my apartment as well as my cat while I was away. Because Tiggy got to know them (each friend has done this twice) it was easier knowing that. It is very difficult though and I have turned down great offers including festivals in the UK because I had no one to look after my animal companion.

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   mistyhorizon2003posted 14 years ago

   I often look after friends dogs when they go away, most recently a really cute Jack Russell cross breed. I have to say that although in every case the dogs have come from excellent homes, they never seemed to miss their owners at all, no pining, no loss of appetite, still all waggy tailed, no crying etc etc. In fact in all cases they seemed a little torn between going back into their owners houses or running back into our house or car instead. Perhaps we just spoil them too much I suppose not all dogs are going to be the same though.

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