December 09, 2003
Dusty, with full winter gear!
5:00 p.m.
Dusty's patience with crate time was tested today - I left the house at 10 and didn't come back until nearly 5 o'clock. That was 7 hours of crate time for the puppy. To be honest, I wasn't sure what sort of shape she would be in when I got home.
But she was fine! Her bed wasn't messed up at all (she sometimes flips it over in protest) and although she was very GLAD to see me, she wasn't a quivering hysterical mess or anything like that. It was all good.
Eventually, (let's keep our collective fingers crossed, everybody!) I'm going to be working and depending on the assignment, I may not be able to come home on my lunch break. Ideally I will, but sometimes I may be gone for the whole day. It gives me great peace of mind to know that she's okay alone.
I know Dusty would prefer me to be right there with her (in fact, if she could, I think she would like to be permanently attached to my lap), but since she mostly sleeps during the day anyways, I don't feel as bad about leaving her.
Yeah, I know, it's a big guilt thing. Now I now how parents feel. And believe me, I *do* feel a twinge when she's really clingy after I get home (like right now: she's on my lap with her face tucked happily under my arm). Hopefully, I can give her enough attention when I'm home to compensate.
Also, here's a sad story about a little dog that was found in a garbage heap. The inhumanity of humans never fails to amaze me. I hope the little dog goes on to find a *good* home.