Our Minnesota summer is slipping out our grasps. The days are cooler (or more comfortable) and the windows are open again. Also the days are slowly getting shorter. With these changes, come changes in our lives. Many of us have new routines that affect our pets too. They notice these changes and sometimes don't understand why. Their biggest concern is when are you coming home.

Our pets really know our routines. Sometimes I giggle to myself after I take Hobbes for a walk. He immediately runs to his crate and sits in the back of the crate. He assumes I am leaving the house and waits for his treat. He doesn't realize sometimes I take him for a walk because he needed one or I need to get outside too. If I don't leave the house, he often sits in his crate and naps.

Hobbes responds well to being told what is going on when I leave. For example, when I run errands I tell him "I'll be back in a few hours." Then I quietly put treats in the crate and leave. I always give a timeframe when I leave. "We will be back after dinner time" or "We will be home before bedtime."

If we are leaving for a weekend or a vacation, I have a conversation with Hobbes several days before we leave. I tell him we are going on a vacation without him, when we are leaving, who is watching him, and when we will be back. I use a very matter of fact, non-emotional voice. I found pets are very understanding and pick up our feelings. If we get all emotional and stressed about leaving, our pets get stressed too. They want to know when you will be back. Be sure to be very specific about your return date. Think or picture your return and they will receive the information with love.

Hobbes stays with friends when we go on vacations. We learned he is calmest if we leave and let our friends pick him up rather than dropping him off at their house. Depending on the trip, I may take his things over to their house before or they pick up his supplies when they get him. For a weekend we usually send food, treats, and a special toy or two. For longer stays, we take his crate (aka "His Room") with our dirty tee shirts so he has the security of "us" while we are gone.

I found being calm about my/our departures, results in a calm Hobbes. I understand some dogs/pets may get very upset. Remember I am here to help you find your unique solution so everyone can have a wonderful afternoon, evening, weekend, or vacation.

August was an amazing month. I used TTouch® and Bach® Flowers with a newly adoptee Westie, and Healing Touch for Animals® with an Umbrella Cockatoo, Cuddles, who had seizures due to a fatal disease. I was honored to spend Cuddles' final moments as he crossed Rainbow Bridge.

May your departures from home be calm and your returns are full of love.

Take care,

Elaine