A Grieving Dog

Going on trips with my family is so much fun! The excitement leading up to the days, packing and talking about what we might “get into” once we reach our destination only adds to the fun and anticipation, but what about our dear pets?  Once we reach our destination, do we think about our furry friends left behind with strangers (or in my most recent case my sister) between our fun and laughter?

 

       

For me, preparing vacations is a grueling task because I worry about the pets. I begin thinking about who will take care of all three of them. The cats: Chase and Patch and our dog: Floppy. I’m not as worried about Chase and Patch as much as I am Floppy, however. Any time we’ve had the Vet to board Floppy he wouldn’t eat and is miserably unhappy. I mean, going without food for 5 nights at a time worries me. It was reported by the Vet he actually did this about 3 years ago when we journeyed to Florida for a Disney World trip. It doesn’t seem to matter that the cats are placed near him for familiarity, or that he brings along his favorite toys or snacks, and as far as I know is taken care of quite well, the outcome is always the same.

 

Well, on our most recent trip to Corpus Christi/South Padre Island (only gone two nights, mind you) I just couldn’t bear to board him, so I asked my sister to “camp out” at our house and take care of our pets since she is very comfortable and familiar with all three pets, but especially Floppy since she helped us crate him. Since my husband and I both worked at the time he came into our lives and of course my daughter was quite young and is school-aged, my sister came in at noon each day for several weeks. She ensured that he “did his business” fed him quite well (giving him special treats along the way), played and loved on him. She literally spoiled him. He gets very excited when she comes over to visit, so she was the perfect person to care for him in our absence. When I contacted my sister, she was happy to take on the role as our pet’s caretaker for two nights, plus she had the entire house to herself, and was welcome to anything she saw and/or needed, so we were all satisfied and relieved. We were set, right?

 

Upon our return, I was shocked to learn from my sister Floppy was actually in misery most of the time. She actually watched him walk from room to room appearing to look for us, but at least he did eat while in her care. She fed him lots of cheese and deli meats between meals ):

 

I have noticed however, even after being home one full week, I can’t turn for Floppy. I’ve almost tripped over his little body three times because he is my new shadow. He walks behind me all day long no matter where I go and he wants to sit in my lap all day. At times when I look down he’s peering up at me, and whenever I’m at the computer or kitchen table he’s nestled next to my feet. My husband and daughter have noticed his actions, too. I suppose our dear dog thought we’d left him for good. Poor baby! I’ve had to reassure him all week long that’ll never happen as much as I am able.

 

I suppose pets are very sensitive and grieve just as we do. I’ve spent time this week letting him realize that he is just as important to me and I am to him.

 

Here is my big boy now:  He’s finally getting back to his normal self.