Life can quickly change. SheShe has gone on a trip to Ireland and will be gone for 17 days. HeHe said that he and I are “holding down the fort.” Whatever that means. HeHe says this is no big deal and we’ll be just fine. I love this man, this alpha man, but I can’t help thinking that for the next 17 days, life as I know it is on hold.

SheShe left a list. It’s a long list of “To Do’s” and its living on the kitchen counter top. Before leaving, she read it out loud to both of us. I really appreciated that. My stuff was first on the list and written in great detail, down to my poop schedule. Seriously, she wrote that my “poop window “is anywhere from 6-10 minutes once out of the door and when my system is regular, I unload three times a day. I had no idea that she times my releases. Anyway, the other stuff that made her list was watering the plants, inside and out; emptying the dishwasher; emptying the kitchen trash (less it stink); vacuuming at least once a week (good luck with that one) and leaving the doors to the front load washer and dryer open when not in use.  No worries on that because he never washes clothes.

SheShe uses organizational skills at home and in our daily lives with a how to “get her done” attitude, but she does not understand that this is simply a silly list for those of us remaining behind.

See, HeHe has already made his own decisions about what the “Brodie Drill” will be. I just feel it. The man does it to a different tuner…Is that how you say it?  See, I am a creature of habit and I know that SheShe set my habits in place when I was a puppy. She takes me out first thing in the morning and then makes the coffee. She takes me to see my trainer and to the vet.  She takes me to the local library and hardware stores so I can practice behaving while I am working on possibly becoming a therapy dog. She takes me on nature walks . She walks me through the neighborhood and we socialize (when I can listen.)  She loads my food ball twice daily and lovingly wipes my mouth when I’m finished.  She talks to me in silly and funny tones and often gives me her smiles.  She puts drops in my ears, gives me pills when needed and grooms me daily. I am already missing her and I am not myself. We’ll be fine.

See, I love HeHe but he’s not the one who sets me into each day.  He likes when I greet him and sit at his feet while he reads. He likes to take me outside with him while he does yard work and enjoys his beer. He’ll let me wipe my face on the furniture after I eat and he’s proud of me when I retrieve. He likes to take me in the car to run an errand.  He takes me for 2 mile walks.  He likes it when the three of us are a team.  He told SheShe before she left that he was going to work from home as often as his job would permit, so I would not be lonely.  What a guy.  We’re going for a deeper bond.
I think they understand that I am going to feel different for 17 days.  And I think each of us are going to deal with this in our own way.  Oh my, I think HeHe just put the list in the drawer.  Ha!  Here comes our great adventure. Come on day 18.

Visit: http://nextgendog.com/how-do-dogs-understand-absence-of-their-owner to read about how dogs understand absence of their owners.