September 7, 2012

Sleepovers are Exhausting

Recently, Rita went for a trial sleepover at my sister's house (aka The Gulag - where they have actual rules that dogs must abide by!).

It's a dilemma, isn't it? Wondering and worrying about what you're going to do with your pup if you go away on vacation or for work.

My sis and I have been trading dog-sitting duties for a long time now, which used to be no big deal back when we had Bailey, who was close in age and temperament to their corgi, Lou. But now that we keep insisting on getting these darn puppies, and since Lou has become a distinguished older gentleman, well, it's a little more complicated.

Abby used to pester Lou relentlessly trying to get him to play with her - and driving him into a state of...let's call it extreme dismay. So we decided on a trial run with Rita, so see if she'd be an improvement in Lou's books over Abby.

This was the first time since we got Rita back in January that we'd be away from her for a night. And she looked a little concerned when Momma left.
"Wh-where are you going, Momma?"


She even went out and sat at the gate after I left, wondering what the heck was going on.
"She was just here a second ago! I'm sure she'll be back!"
But... nothing like an UnbreakOBall (which, as we established, Rita is nuts about) to make a girl forget her troubles.
"Momma? What Momma? Let's play!"
My sis also tried to recreate the classic photo shoot:
The original Stubs & Stilts
Only this was more like "Stubs & Only Marginally Less Stubby"
Still, they look cute together, don't they? Luckily, Rita is a lot more mellow than Abby, so after only two attempts to try to get Lou to play with her, she gave up. He was apparently much more accepting of her puppyish-but-at-least-not-completely-insane ways, as compared to Abby. So, the trial run was a success! Hooray!

The next day, I attempted to catch our reunion on film, but it's mostly just a blur of flying puppy:
"I missed you, Momma!"
Then we went home where Rita curled up in a quiet corner of the office that she'd never laid in before and crashed. (She was exhausted from being up at 3a.m. gnawing her bone. Probably worrying that Momma wasn't coming back. She's a bit of a worrier - just like her momma.)
"Sleepovers are exhausting. Especially at The Gulag"
She still managed to wake up in time to come watch me eat my lunch. So, she wasn't quite as tired as Abby was after her first trial sleepover at her Auntie's house. (Any excuse to roll out the classic "Puppy Too Tired to Eat Popcorn" video...)


Awww, Ab. We loved that girl, but Lou could have done without her! Hopefully he has a greater fondness for his new cousin, Rita.

What do you do with your pup when you go on vacation? It can be stressful finding a spot where you know your pup will be well-cared for and happy!

3 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness - Just love the popcorn video - it's tiring being a Doggie you know!! :)

    Glad Rita's sleepover went well :)

    I go and stay with my buddy Cosmo next door - it's kinda become like my second home, but still we always have a massive re-union when they get back, even Cosmo joins in with the re-union which always makes Mum chuckle!! :)

    Wags to all,

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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  2. So, again, in defense of "the Gulag" ....... We have "not so much rules as guidelines" for pooches. So, when I'm done with my ice cream, a pooch can have one tiny lick at the end of the spoon, but not the entire dish. One designated piece of furniture, not willy-nilly furniture hopping. And so on. There are still those folks who hope their Karma brings them back as a dog at our house in the next life. Lou is a cherished boy and seems to love it here. He's so happy that Rita is a calm girl and thinks he might want to try the spa again some day.

    The classics -- Stubbs & Stilts and the too tired to eat popcorn video -- always make me smile.

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  3. Aw, so cute! If we are going somewhere where we can take them, they will come with us. If we are flying somewhere, family will come and stay at the house or I will leave Rama and Sassy with their breeder. We have a favorite destination in TN where dogs are allowed and it is great fun to bring them.

    ReplyDelete

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