As cute as that sounds, for dogs, reducing separation anxiety is counterintuitive.
The more emotional both departing and returning is. The more it hurts them when you leave, the more separation anxiety develops.
In an ideal world, when you leave your dog for the day, saying nothing when going and a professionally distant “greetings puppy” when you return will reduce anxiety for a dog when left alone. This doesn’t work by itself; you have to teach them to be alone slowly and carefully.
While I agree with you about the unceremonious departings, I firmly believe that when you’re reunited with pets you should greet them wholeheartedly, on their level with unbridled affection.
Most pets adapt to your routine quickly, they’ve got a strong internal clock (just try moving their dinner time and see for yourself).
I’ve never had pets beg me not to go, but if they did I’m sure pretending they persuaded me would only make them think they can do it again and for them to try harder.
As Dwight Schrute would explain that Micheal explained to him: “we deceive them to not hurt their feelings, and in doing so, we honor them”
I wish more people regarded their family fuzzies as friends, not mere pets. If you spend time and bond with them, cats and dogs can be the most loving and rewarding people you know.
I think of my cat as an actual full-grown member of our family.....of course she's older now, but I want her to feel she's as well regarded and cared about as anyone else. My in laws were just here, and they treat the cat like a pet - meaning, they disregard her presence and never even once noticed her at all. I dote on her, but maybe I'm a bit prejudiced because she's so cute.....!
There was a news article in USA Today (which we always get about five days late for some reason) about a woman who adopted a chihuahua that was mutilated by it's former owners and had it's paws chopped off to the bone.
The woman said, "please we don't know who did this to this dog, but no calls for justice, we just want to get the dog better." They were fitting it with special pads so it could try and walk again.
I just have to wonder about the criminally sick mentality that could harm a dog or cat that way.
I hope so. It's really sick and disgusting. They think it was probably a male who did it because the dog is now terrified of men. I just have to wonder how people can live with themselves.
I have no idea. They posted on a few of my posts in rapid fire succession and none of the comments make sense.
Edit: I am loving the fact that everyone is active and reporting offending stuff overall. Please do keep that energy! But I’m definitely aware of this comment and looking into it at the moment. Their whole posting history is… strange and there’s a discussion happening. Don’t worry. It’s being taken care of. Thanks for y’alls diligence <3
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