A Night Without Mommie

Well it has finally happened. Mommie sent me away. For a couple of days that is. Since I got sick, she has always been worried that if there is an emergency, no one will be there to take care of me. So she has been looking for petsitters who can board me as a plan B. I can't be vaccinated so I cannot go to a doggy hotel or doggy camp and that makes our options pretty limited. She's been looking for years with no luck. We met up with some sitters who board just one dog at a time at their home but I did not like them. So I would just sit by their front door or backyard door to let Mommie know that there was no way she was leaving me with them. One lady asked for my picture and never contacted us again. And when Mommie checked her website, my picture was posted as a special needs dog as if she already took care of me. Evil!

There is this one family who I liked. We found them way back in 2008. There is Fred, Donna and their son Tony. I immediately felt at home with them and their home. I curiously sniffed and investigated the yard and their whole house. I also sniffed them and I sensed they would take good care of me. But since they only board one doggie at a time, their calendar fills up pretty quickly. I guess that means we will also have to find a plan C. Anyway, a year after meeting them, Mommie left me with them for a couple of hours to see how I would do. I was fine and just mainly hung out by Fred's feet while he worked on his computer.

The next step was to try an overnight stay. On Friday night, she packed up my bag with all my essentials and gave me a long talk about my being a big boy and so I should not be afraid to be on my own and that I should not feel abandoned coz she is definitely coming back for me. Saturday morning, we all got into the car and drove over. I sniffed around and remembered them immediately and made myself at home. I even jumped up at Tony coz he was making sandwiches. Alas! He said he could not give me any. They all chatted for a while discussing my care and Mommie gave me a big hug goodbye. Then we all walked outside so I could try walking on a leash with Donna. All was good and I did not even look back at Mommie and Daddy as Donna walked me back into the backyard.

Almost immediately after Mommie and Daddy left, we got into Donna's car to drive Tony to work. When we got back, Fred came home. I greeted him with a wiggly hello and spent the afternoon supervising him as he fixed some computers. It was a busy afternoon for me. I also supervised Donna as she worked on some paperwork and did chores around the house and out back. It was nice having a yard with all that grass to pee and poop in. I wish we had a yard. That night, I was all poofed out from the day's activities. I went to the foot of the bed and did not move an inch until it was time for breakfast. I got lots of belly rubs and ear scratches from Tony when he got up. And we again drove him to work and picked him up in the evening.

Meanwhile, Mommie and Daddy had a hard time finding an activity they could do that did not include me. They are so used to planning outings with me in mind. And they also wanted to stay within driving distance of the sitter so they could return right away if there was a problem. Eventually they just drove around on Saturday not wanting to go home coz I would not be there. They were pretty bummed when they opened the front door and I was not there to greet them. Good thing Donna kept them updated with how I was doing with emails otherwise I don't think Mommie would survive. Teehee! The next day they went out with some friends before picking me up. When they finally came to pick me up, Mommie was all excited to see me. I was a bit aloof and just sniffed her a bit before returning to Fred in the kitchen. As Donna filled Mommie in our activities and how happy they were with me, I just sat across the room looking at Mommie. She waved to me but I did not come. Even though I had all sorts of fun with Donna and her family, I was not letting Mommie off that easily. Eventually she got the hint and apologized for leaving me. As soon as I heard that I went into her arms and cuddled. She gave me belly rubs and put me on her lap and I licked her hand like I always do. All is forgiven Momma. Teehee! Just don't ever leave me again.