Like so many others in the economy slump in this country, I was laid off from my job. This was both good and bad. Bad that we were cut to half our household income. Good that Bo & her sister, Blizzard, really enjoyed having Mom home to cater to their every whim.
During this time, my daughter also adopted my Grandpuppy, Mya, from a shelter in Illinois. The timing was a little off since this was the week right before college finals.
“Mom, could you come down a week early and help occupy Mya while I study?” she asked.
“Yep!” I jumped at the chance. Of course, she complained that all I did was play with her. Well, what else was I supposed to do with a 4-month-old puppy? Being out of work last summer, and them being at home, also gave me lots of time to bond with Mya. It had been several years since we had had a puppy in the house, so it was a lot of fun, but also a LOT of work!
I was fortunate to find full time employment in my field. I started back to work at the beginning of April. Things are going well. The people I work with have been very patient in helping me learn this next phase in my field. Shows that you can “teach an old dog new tricks!”
As for the dogs, it’s been days of barking out the windows at everything within sight just like always. Laying around getting that much needed beauty rest (Bo & Blizzard, not Mom!). But when the garage door goes up…here’s wiggly, fuzzy behinds and curly tails dancing on the landing as I come up the stairs. This is every time I come home.
Our dogs have grown up with everyone off at work or school most of the day, so it didn’t take much for them to slip right back into the old routine. My friends at Sergeant’s also gave us some SENTRY calming products to help my dogs feel more calm and comfortable.
I keep pictures of Bo, Blizzard and Mya at my desk. It helps me get through many a day, as I do miss those beautiful brown eyes and curly tails. I do find the occasional dog hair on my clothes, in my purse or somewhere else during the day. I stop to appreciate that the girls sent a little piece of them to keep me company during those long days at work. Unfortunately, I did not find a job that would let me bring them into work with me – like Sergeant’s. Of course, some people would never get any work done if Bo was around as she would believe that she needed to work most of the day going around letting people pet her.
I love my new job and the paycheck every week, but I do miss my girls. Nothing can ever replace a fuzzy black face with graying whiskers and wiggling tail. Especially when I’m eating lunch with no one begging for a bite!
Mom will be home soon girls! – Jill
Have you ever had a similar experience like this one? How did your pets adjust? Please share your story and/or tips in the comments below.