My Separation Anxiety - reassure me please!

[flapperghasted]

We got a pup last year and she's adorable...the light of my life. She's coming up for 9 months and has just settled her walking routines, is heading towards being housetrained (she was a late starter and is mostly dry but has peed in the house twice this month) and is a happy little soul. She does struggle with separation anxiety though.

Two weeks today we are off to the USA for 2 weeks. We are ridiculously fortunate because DH's matronly, single sister has agreed to come to the house and look after the menagerie. She's not likely to be as responsive to pups needs as we are (we pander to her completely a little) but she'll meet her basic needs and give her lots of fuss.

Reassure me. Will pup be o.k? I think she might go off her food for a day or two, but she won't let herself starve. I'm being a bit drama queenish here aren't I? Reassrue me please...share your wisdom with me.

[noinspiration]

She'll be fine!! Dogs are notoriously fickle, and will settle with anyone who is kind to them and feeds them. Mine show my dog sitter neighbour more affection than I am entirely happy with

Enjoy your holiday and don't worry

[Scuttlebutter]

Make sure you leave info about your vet and what your DS is authorised to spend while you are away if there is an emergency. Also make sure she knows about any medication, feeding routine, and is supplied with plenty of poo bags, dog food, etc. Other than that, i am sure she will be fine. Not sure if there is time now, but before a long break like that, why not do a little practice run with a weekend?

Not sure if your mobile will be working over in the USA, but will you have access to internet etc? DSis could set up Skype calls so you could see pup or even set up a little blog you could look at with pics, so you could get your "fix" while away?

We used to dogsit for friends when we lived in Devon - it was a wonderful arrangement as they got to be able to go see her elderly parents regularly and we got to have a lovely weekend with the adorable dog. She loved coming to us, and was thoroughly pampered. All of her stuff (bowls, brush, leads, special towel) lived in a particular wicker basket and whenever the basket came out she recognised it and would get very excited.



Good luck!

[flapperghasted]

Thanks both. We're lucky that dsisinlaw is happy to stay in house, thus providing dog and house with a sitter. She'll enjoy the company of the pup I think. noinspiration I'm thinking she'll go with the fickle thing, but I just wanted someone to tell me that was highly likely.

Scuttlebutter we have a great vet down the road and Dsisinlaw can spend what she needs to there. Poo bags are a good point. We have had loads and I wouldn't have thought about needing more, but we probably will by the end of the hols. I'm sorting out food and stuff so she's got her treats and fave food for whilst we're away.

We're in a villa and it doesn't, as far as I know, have b/band and I'm nervous about using my mobile abroad. Might make an exception just to find out how the doggerdog's doing though :)