On Sunday I'm leaving my dog for three weeks :(

[StillMedusa]

I don't want to!
But my DS1 is living on the the other side of the world and marrying his wonderful partner and we are making a proper trip of it.

But I'm dreading leaving my girl.. she is a breed that loves her people and only her people. She is so attached to me that I haven't had a bath without her peering over the tub since she was 9 weeks old!

She's going to stay with her breeders; they had her for a weekend a couple of months ago and she was ok.. they have a glorious country home with just her Mum and a little Dachsund (she's a rare breed and they have only ever had two litters so she's not going to a puppy farm!) They know her breed inside out, their quirks and diva personalities...

But I feel awful. I feel like she will think she's been abandoned! I know in reality she will attach herself to one of the couple, but what if she pines? Do dogs have a sense of time?

I KNOW I'm being ridiculous, but I love her so much and she loves ME so much!

Tell me it will be ok! I know she will be well cared for but I'm worried it will upset out relationship!

All dogs are different but honestly she will be fine. Mine apparently sulk but life goes back to normal when we get home. I am fostering a dog at the moment. I'm sure he must miss his human Mum & Dad but he is so happy with us. Enjoy your sons wedding and have a lovely walk and pub meal out with your beautiful, much loved dog when you return home.

I completely agree with Gerard. I foster dogs and although some are nervous when they first arrive they soon settle in and most of them have been through a bit of a tough time first.

Dogs live in the moment. She might be a bit miffed that things have changed, but she will get on with it, and will be pleased to see you when you get home (although she might not show it for a bit - ours used to be a bit off for an hour or so before they couldn’t help themselves and came for cuddles).

Have a lovely trip and look forward to the welcome home.

Would they let you text them a couple of times to see how she is? The place I took my Cat to does. They let me know he was settling in really well. Apart from the odd visitor the only person he sees on a day to day basis is me and is a complete Mummy's boy. Although judging how he looked at me when I went to pick him back up again. I don't think he missed me all that much. The look on his face was what are you doing back! I was forgiven a short while later once we were home and he remembered I'm the one who dishes his stinky kitty food out for him.

She will be fine and have a lovely time and then absolutely thrilled to have you home :-) I have one of those breeds and they just want love and attention which presumably they'll get

One of the best things about dogs is the way they live in the moment (it is infectious and good for the soul). Yes - your dog will miss you but good things happening are good things and total distractions.

You might be punished when you return though. (Many greet you with joy and then remember you stayed away - so huff and sulk for a while. )

Ours obviously thought our absence was down to lack of nasel competence and a poor sense of direction. He always greeted us with joy - and kept a close eye on us for a few days in case we forgot the way home again.

I know how you feel but honestly she will be absolutely fine.

I dog sit for a living and every single dog I've cared for has settled with me. I am in their home so it's maybe slightly different but honestly, they're all absolutely fine.

Have a great trip!

I know how you feel, but don’t let this affect your time away. She will still be there when you get back.

Thanks for this thread. We are leaving our dog tomorrow for a week for the first time and I feel awful. I’m concentrating on the notion that dogs don’t have the same sense of time as people and hopefully he’ll just enjoy playing with our friends’ dogs and children. He’s staying with a friend and their house is a bit of a (lovely and self-proclaimed) mad house so hopefully he’ll be too busy having fun! I could never, ever put him in kennels!

We had to leave our lovely lovely dog for 12 days in the summer to attend daughter’s wedding abroad. She was absolutely fine we missed her so much even though the wedding was fantastic. She has since been back to the kennels for an overnight stay and can’t wait to get through the doors😊. Don’t feel guilty it’s your son’s wedding - enjoy. 😊

I felt like this too when I left my clingy dog with my parents for a week - apparently he didn’t even notice the difference and was very happy. My nephews distracted him when I actually left and he was fine.

Thank you for all your lovely replies (and for not making me feel ridiculous!). I've always had cats who sulked but were fine (our current rescue is staying here with the neighbour feeding him..he's just going to be cross that he's only getting two meals a day not 6.. he's very fat... )
I know they will send me updates... I just feel so guilty every time I look at her knowing I'm leaving her! She's overwhelmed with joy if I just nip to the shops and come in!

So I dogsit for a friend of mine and twice in the last 12m she’s had to be away for 4 weeks and in all honesty, pup was totally fine, she was happy and content, she went to doggy daycare a few times and we just hung out together then as soon as friend came home I was dead to her and her favourite was home 😂

pup will be fine, the excitement when you return is awesome 😁 enjoy the wedding!