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!