While Luke’s holiday weekend started off great, with a walk in the woods with both Momz and Dadz, it kind of went downhill from there, for both him and the farm birds. They had a lot of alone time stuck inside while we humans were off having Thanksgiving dinner with family and then Black Friday shopping.
My hubby and I went off to my sister’s for dinner Thanksgiving afternoon, then Dadz was back to work on Friday while I went off for my annual two-day shopping trip with “the girls”. Luke did have Dad at home on Saturday though, but the very cold temperatures kept them mostly indoors.
When we lost the last of our older dogs I worried about how Luke would do when being left home alone at times. Luckily I’ve been able to work out a schedule so that doesn’t happen too often for work obligations, so it’s mostly just special occasions like this that leave him home alone and the birds stuck inside their coop for longer periods. We’ve tried to do things to make it as easy as possible, like expanding our coop to give the birds plenty of room to move around.
For Luke, I started filling up his West Paw Quizl* treat-dispensing toy with peanut butter and treats. Once he sees me do that, he knows we’ll be leaving him alone. Does he get upset? No, the truth is, he keeps a close eye on the pantry where the Quizl is stashed while I finish getting ready to leave. He practically pushes me out the door at the point! While he seems very excited when we get home, I think he does fine while we’re gone – there’s no signs of it being otherwise.
When I got home from my two day shopping trip, Luke greeted me, but then went running back to Dad who was eating the rest of the Thanksgiving custard pie I had baked. After that, once I hit the couch with a glass of wine to unwind, Luke was snuggled up with Dad and stayed there! Sometimes I think pets do it on purpose…..just giving us a little bit of a guilt trip (“you were gone, so now I’m Daddy’s boy”), so we might reconsider leaving again.
Sunday morning I had to run out again, to pick up work before a snowstorm hit. It was again too cold to walk anyway. What a relief when Monday morning was much warmer, and we could get back to our walk and other normal routines! I’m not sure who is more relieved, me or Luke. It’s wonderful to get a break in the routines, get away for a bit and have some fun, but I am always happy to be home again. Now I’m working on catching up with everything, and turning Luke back into his Mama’s boy. 🙂
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Good boy luke!!!! I’ll have to check out that toy!
I like it a lot better than a Kong, since there are more ways for him to get the treats out of there. I always felt bad when I’d come home and half the treats would still be in the Kong!
Dogs are so funny. He is obviously giving you the ol’ cold shoulder for leaving him. We once boarded Bentley at the vet for 3 days and when we brought him home, he went in the back yard and sat with his back turned to us. He was so upset until dinnertime. BOL!
I used to think it was only cats who did that, but I’ve learned dogs are good at it too! Thank goodness we have to feed them, all is forgiven then!
Some might call Luke fickle. Or, he just knows how to get the lovin’ he needs.
I’d say he knows exactly what he’s doing. 🙂
I hope she bought you lots of presents Luke 🙂
Like he needs anything, LOL. I’m sure you know how that is! 🙂
Luke, we’re glad to hear you did okay while everyone was gone.
Jake’s eyes looks very similar to the ones I’ve been getting for the past few days LOL!
They really know how to get us with those eyes, don’t they? ♥
I’m glad everyone got along okay while you were gone and I’m sure Luke enjoyed the peanut butter and treat time!
He says that he sure did!!
And such a handsome Mama’s boy Luke is. Glad things are back to ‘normal.’ The holidays can be stressful on both pets and peeps so it’s always a good feeling to get back to the usual routine. Stay warm!
We are trying – the weather has been crazy, but not as cold as it was for a while.
Now we’re on to Christmas….which is even worse when it comes to stress! 🙂
Those guilt trips! But that’s ok…they love us and soon forget we were ever gone.
Dogs are so good at living in the moment. ♥
Luke should get whatever he wants. That’s my view of the world. I know he feels the same. I so remember the guilt when having to leave your baby home for a bit. I so remember.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday, Luke. My best to your peeps. ♥
Luke 100% agrees with you, and he pretty much does get everything he wants (other than getting to chase the deer out of the yard)!
Good to see you weren’t slammed with snow. I always wonder what these two are up to when we leave.
It just keeps snowing though…a little bit here and there. No sunshine. It’s getting old already! LOL
I hope you found fabulous things , a two day shopping trip is a mighty fine idea ;O)
Mostly I found fabulous things for myself…gifts, not so much! But most importantly, we had fun!
We all seem a bit relieved when Mom leaves because we know we can get some rest without her wanting us to do something, but we love it best when she is home. I’m sure Luke just plays with his treat toy, and then naps. You need a camera to watch him. Mom still likes to use ours now and then.
I really would like to get one of those! Hubby thinks I’d be too obsessed with watching it though. 🙂
It’s hard when our peeps leave us at home but I betcha it will be worth it when you open pressies on Christmas morning, Luke!
I bet you’re right, I sure hope so anyway!
xo Luke