Well, we are packing now and are beginning to think that the moving excuse may have been true. He is pacing the house with a pathetically sad look on his face. No matter how many times we bring him to the new place to sniff around and promise him he is coming with, he still acts depressed. How sad is that?! To all the people out there who are laughing at me through their doubt in animal emotions; yes I do strongly believe that animals can remember things like this and feel sad. I also believe that they grieve, so take that!!
Here is a picture of him lying where his bed used to be, in what used to be our bedroom and now is packing central. He goes in there every night and lies down in his spot while giving us the saddest puppy eyes ever. How could anyone drop him back off at the humane society after this look?! Any other pet parents out there with ideas on how to get him to realize that he is coming with us? I can't take the sad pacing anymore...
10 comments:
As much as I totally agree that animals remember and greuve, thety, unfortunately, cannot rationalize the future. Unfortunately, I think that you guys will just have to deal with the sad pacing pup until the move is over. When you get to the new place, set up 2 things first- your bed, then his bed, cozily close to yours. Lie down in your bed- invite him up, and show him that this new place is home for all of you. When he sees your important place (the bed) in your new apartment, coupled with his important place (his bed) I think he will realize that he is not being deserted. Good luck!!
nice spelling, lynn- that is one-handed typing for ya...
Lynn - thanks for rationalizing your spelling :)
i agree with the one armed bandit above, :) you are just going to have to deal with it.
EVERYTIME we have ever taken luggage out of the closet our Monte goes into "sad" mode. drives.us.crazy. makes us feel horrible. he knows we feel terrible but we still leave and still come back. and he is the saddest when we leave but the happiest when we return.
shelter dogs take a lifetime to get over the stresses/abuse/neglect they have endured. you two will just have to keep showing him you are there for him, with him.
sending some scratches for his head...
Totally agree with Lynn- Moose was a wreck and it did not help that I was uncertain about my move date so lived in various states of packing for a month.
I am sure he assosciates the boxes and things being moved around with past moving experiences but know dogs who were never abandoned (unless you count family leaving for vacation which a dog probably does count) or neglected who react this way so would not necessarily tie it to his shelter experience. Moose went from his original owner to a foster home that he LOOOVED (I felt bad taking him from there) to my house so certainly was never neglected but he does not like seeing large bags being packed or furniture being moved. Aside from watching an activity that is often followed by being left alone I think they can sense our stress and are also reacting to that. Anyway, whatever the cause I would guess things that could help are time consuming distractions like a stuffed kong if he is not too nervous to eat and take him on walks if you can manage it. I know about moving and finding time for a relaxing stroll is not realistic but it is tiring and stress relieving for dogs and in addition to the things Lynn suggested it will add a sense of normalcy to the new place (plus satisfy his instinct to mark the new territory). It took Moose a month or so to not freak out when I left him alone in the new place (even if I was just in the front yard) but he was getting NO exercise because he was recovering from surgery.
You can read about our moving fun here: http://dewdana.blogspot.com/2009/01/homesick-moose.html
Best way I know is when you take the animal over to the new place to visit, have a blanket or something of his, with his scent, then he'll know that he's supposed to call this new place, his home.
If you can't do that, you just have to cuddle him to death until the move date is over...hoping it won't be too drawn out.
And YES, of course, animals have feelings and emotions...to say otherwise begs the question of whether or not that human DOES?!
Cordially (If Not Entirely Sober!)
MsBurb
BHF Honorary Coffee Shop Hostess-In-Chief &
High Chief Mucky Muck of B3 & TLB2
Thanks guys! We brought one of his beds over there, which seems to be helping...I guess it just takes time.
Vontoux did the same thing when we moved from our rental to the house. Anxious and clingy. Then he ate a pair of my underwear. We were on the verge of taking him to the emergency vet after 2 days of vomiting and not eating and then he up chucked the undies. I didnt salvage them. Ew.
The big lug wouldnt be so sad if he didnt love you guys so much. He knows you're the best moms in the whole world so just keep doin what you doin and he'll be fine.
That squash character on the other hand is a whole nother story! :)
Good luck on the move... I've moved several times with my animals, the biggest move being from Italy to Denmark with my cat. She hated me for a couple days, but then discovered snow!!
When we moved into my latest place with my black lab we did the bed thing - that worked wonders. You should also try really long walks in the area, so the dog can mark some serious territory all over the neighborhood - he won't be at home until he makes it HIS home.
Oh, and congrats on adopting from the Humane Society - all my animals have always been adopted.
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