When I finally made the decision to move to Murfreesboro, and decided renting for a while would be the way to go, one of my main concerns was my two dogs, Krystal and Casey. They have lived with me since they were twelve weeks old and had doggy door access to a very large back yard any time they felt like it. I took them with me occasionally to the cabin and they were fine as long as I was there.  But leaving them alone there was a whole other story!  It was mostly Krystal, with her separation anxiety issues, but she could get Casey going as well.

Well, the day finally arrived.  It was time to start leaving Krystal and Casey alone in our new home.  I planned it well.  After breakfast, we would go for a little walk.  Then, I would say all the things I’ve said to them over the years when I was about to leave.  I would put Casey in his crate with a treat.  “Y’all be good!  I’ll be right back!”  Casey would smile and wag, munch merrily on his treat and wait for my return.  Krystal would look at me sadly, say “I’ll miss you!”–she’s very smart, remember?!– and hunker down, also awaiting my return.  I would start by leaving for a couple of minutes, come back inside, say “I’m baaaack!!!” Krystal would say “well that wasn’t so bad!”, Casey would smile and wag, and we would do it all over again, each time making my leave a little longer.  

It hasn’t quite worked out that way.  I did as planned with the walk, then the talk.  As soon as I said “I’ve got to go….”, Krystal started a soft “no, no, no,…..”  Oh boy, here we go!  I put Casey away with his treat, he munched merrily as anticipated, and Krystal stared at me.  When I stepped out the door, I was surprised at what I heard.  Casey started barking.  And barking. And….then he was joined by a loud screechy howling.  I waited MAYBE a minute, came back in, announced “I’m baaaaack!” and after I got a lecture from Krystal NOT to do that again, all was well.  I did this several times, with the same result.  Finally I went to the grocery store, stayed for about 40 minutes, and came back.  As I got out of my car, I could hear another dog hollering…it wasn’t either of my pups’ voices.  Phew!  At least other dogs make noise here, too!  But as I got closer to my apartment, it got louder and louder.  Casey had gone hoarse from yelling!  The screeching had started, too, before I opened the door, and about a minute after walking in the door, my phone rang.  I KNEW it was the office with complaints!  But alas, it was my friend Ginny, telling me what our plans were for tonight.  Dinner and a movie.  The pups will just LOVE that!  I haven’t met my neighbors beside me and above me.  Not really trying to, either.

By the way, after six walks yesterday, Krystal slept HARD last night.  At one point, I watched for her chest to move as I thought she might have passed away.  Now if she could just stop with the lectures….