Thought I would give you some updates on Allie and her new world of managing a one-dog household.
After Misty was gone, Allie sort of crashed-and-burned. She would to to the couch where Misty would lie, place her head on the cushion and whimper. And every time we either entered or left the yard, she did a quick search and smell to see if she could find Misty lurking around the corner. As this has been the only time that I have ever had two dogs at once, I have never been through the grieving process with a dog left behind.
Allie stopped eating, except for treats, but she continued to drink water, so I knew it was a matter of time. She lost about 10 pounds [1/6 her weight].
She barks now. She rarely barked before. She was the kinder, gentler greeter at the door. Misty intimidated. So now Allie barks, but then her tail is wagging, so it's tough to know if she is serious, or not. And she has taken over every piece of furniture.
The first thing I did was try to establish new routines. Misty was our routine-driver ... time to get up, time to eat, time to go for walk, time for a snack, and so on. Allie seemed lost. And I am training for another half-marathon, so picking up the training schedule helped. Allie and I run first thing in the morning at least 4 times a week.
The next thin
g I did was find a dog-walker. Allie needed friends. I found a great place just around the corner called K9 Capers. The woman that owns the service left a high-stress job to do something she loves and has six employees [she's doing something right!]. They pick Allie up every day and take her for at least a one-hour walk with a maximum of two other dogs out on the Commons. Allie is enjoying it very much and has started to "smile" when they show up [it is goofy looking].
g I did was find a dog-walker. Allie needed friends. I found a great place just around the corner called K9 Capers. The woman that owns the service left a high-stress job to do something she loves and has six employees [she's doing something right!]. They pick Allie up every day and take her for at least a one-hour walk with a maximum of two other dogs out on the Commons. Allie is enjoying it very much and has started to "smile" when they show up [it is goofy looking].This last weekend, I was finalising a big bid, so I had to be in the office both Saturday and Sunday. I knew the days were going to be long, so I decided to take Allie to central London with me. This was a big adventure. We would walk through the Village to the train station. She figured out the turn-styles [actually, more like automatic gates] okay. Stairs were fine. Trains going past were a little intimidating. She "minded the gap" and got on board. She was very interested in the noise as other trains passed and doors clamored.
We went to Waterloo [London's busiest station] to catch the Tube. Back through the gates, through the crowd and down the escalator ... this was a problem. Technically, I'm supposed to pick her up, but she's not light or small. Her whole motivation to get on was because I was getting further away. She was all sprawled out across three steps and very happy when the ride was over. Then through the tunnels, on the Tube, back at the station, up the stairs and outside in the busiest shopping in Europe! No sweat.
She's fine in the office. We have a square to take a walk. I brought her blanket, food, water and treats. She may have shared some pizza with me, and she did find an abandoned ice cream cone on one of our walks. She was very happy. As we were there very late, we took a taxi back both nights/mornings. She is my urban dog. Running with cows last year in Portishead, mastering mass transportation in London this year!
