Don't Leave Me

Feeling Bad

Does anyone else feel bad when they leave their dogs on a daily basis? I know many of us work, me included. I am working part time but always seem to be heading out the door. 

We have two grandkids in sports over here so we could go to a game almost nightly. We don’t like to miss out, so we go to as many as we can.

Don't Go

Our rescue dog Ernie is alone a lot. I know he grew up that way but that’s why we took him. He was neglected and forever alone and getting hollered at. Poor guy. He loves it here with us but when we are both walking out the door his little head goes down and he jumps on the bed, curls up and goes to sleep. When Sally was here at least she was company for him. He wasn’t by himself now he’s in the house with no one but his own company. I feel bad. Forever on a guilt trip. It cannot be helped but that doesn’t make me feel any better.

At times I feel so bad I’ll skip running in the morning if I have to head into work later that day. I am a runner so that’s not an easy decision. The furthest I’ll run is 3 miles on a workday. As I head out the door, he’s looking at me with those sad eyes.

Too much Togetherness

We cannot stay by their side 24/7, can we? I don’t think it’s healthy for one thing. We all need separation. But I think if it was up to him, he’d be forever attached to my hip. His favorite spot is right next to me. I do believe I’m the first one to ever love him so he’s a little bit attached to me. 

When we first got him, he didn’t think of our place as his home. It took a couple of weeks. No matter how a dog is treated they want to go back to what’s familiar. It’s so sad. Now, I think he would be devastated if he was anywhere else but here. He is ours; he is staying, and he loves it here. 

He does not like it however when we walk out that door. The guilt over the whole thing is crushing at times. I think of him when I’m at work. Even if Gary is here with him. But especially if he is alone. Some dogs bond with one person and Ernie is that type of dog. He bonded with me and there’s no other person he’d rather be with. 

Doggy Daycare

They say to take your dog to a doggy daycare to stimulate them. Maybe one day during your work week. Ernie was attacked by two dogs so doggy daycare doesn’t seem like a viable option. Ernie has no teeth so he can’t defend himself. He is almost 14 and I do not believe he would be comfortable in a doggy daycare situation. While dogs are social creatures as they age, I think they want to stay home, the same as elderly people. There is no place like home. 

They say give them a treat toy but if your dog grew up neglected, they don’t know what treat toys are. Ernie is too old to learn. He does have a toy he fetches and plays with while we are here. My thoughts are while Gary and I are gone Ernie is sleeping. He may get up and go outside to go to the bathroom but then goes right back to sleep after.

As I’m sure the guilt will never leave me, we will continue on. Ernie left alone and us walking out the door. I wish there were a different solution but there isn’t.  We cannot take him everywhere.

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So, I’ll live with my guilty conscience.

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