October 12, 2014

Monday Mischief: Should I Always Say Goodbye?

When Rita and her cousin Reg get together, it usually looks a lot like this:


Until we end up with this:
"We're exhausted! That was pawesome!"
So when I needed to run some errands the other day in Reg's 'hood, my sis said I could bring Rita by and leave her there for a play date.

Rita and I got there, and the pups were playing like their usual crazy selves, so I left to go run my errands.

And shortly thereafter, I got a text with this picture saying that Rita had told Reg "no more play!"
"Is my momma coming back for me??"
Apparently she was too worried about where Momma had gone and decided to be Clingy Girl with her auntie.
"This is worrisome."
Reggie however still wanted to play, of course.

Nutty girl. So odd because when we've left her there overnight, she's fine and they play and play. Not sure what got into her head on that particular day. Maybe it was because I didn't say goodbye?


Do you say goodbye to your pup and explain when you'll be back?

I usually do - when we're home alone, I'll toss her a treat, say goodbye and I love you, and then I say "I'll won't be too long!" So, maybe she was miffed that I didn't explain what was up. Or maybe she was just pissed cuz I didn't toss her a treat!

Pretty sure it was the treat thing...

Thanks to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief!

46 comments:

  1. I always say, I'll be back in a minute, be good, and leave a treat. He seems to get that although over Christmas no amount of treats was good enough. He ate a painting I just did, two quilt blocks with plastic templates and my dance shoes over three weeks. LeeAnna at not afraid of color lapaylor.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh dear! At least Rita doesn't eat things when I leave - just mopes! (Almost wrote "mops" - ha! I wish!)

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  2. Of course you must say goodbye. I say goodbye to our cat Raven every time I leave the house. I tell her to have a good day, or we'll be back after dinner, or I'll be gone just a few minutes. I know she doesn't understand, but leaving without saying anything would seem rude. :-) I admit, I do not say goodbye to the hamster because he's usually sleeping. But I do say goodnight to him after I put him back in his cage at night.

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    1. Thought if I snuck away quietly she wouldn't even notice - but she definitely noticed!

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  3. Mom always says "love you, be right back", but sometimes that could be hours. We have had clingy friends over before, but we understand. It is sad when moms leave.

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    1. I'll have to try the "be right back" thing - pretty sure Rita's not a great judge of time.

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  4. LOL we sometimes do the clingy thing and miffed at no treats would sure make us give our human the stinky eye or cold paw. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. I thought playing with Reg was treat enough, but I guess not!

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  5. We always have a goodbye routine, in which I give my three dogs the Down command and then they all get treats. I think it helps the dogs know that I'll be back.

    Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.

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    1. We have a routine at home, but I figured I could get away with skipping it while at Reggie's house. I guess not!

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  6. Yes, we always say something so they know they aren't coming on this jaunt. That way they run upstairs and settle in on the bed. They then watch out the window for our return.

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    1. Oh, that's so cute. Rita can't see out the front of our house, so no way to sit and watch. She just hangs out on the couch (as far as I know...)

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  7. Yup, mom always tells us she'll be back in a few. She lies. BOL!

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  8. I didn't used to say anything but when we thought Wilhelm had developed separation anxiety the trainer said we were supposed to always say good-bye. Did poor treat-less Rita at least get a yummy upon your return?!?

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    1. That's very interesting that the trainer said you are supposed to say goodbye. Now that you say that, I remember reading that as well sometime back. Especially when going away on a trip - you're supposed to tell them you'll be back! And, yes, she did get a treat, but not until they were done playing, because of course the play started right up again upon my return! (after some loving from Rita!)

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  9. lol you ruined it without the goodbye. Only time the cat gets miffed is when I go out more than once a day.

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    1. Oh, yeah - Rita too! I try to always combine all my errands and not have to come home and go back out again, or I really get the stink eye!

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  10. We left the dogs with friends the other day. They love going there, and they have dogs to play with too. When we picked them up, you would think we had been gone a year. Whining, and wriggling and jumping.

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  11. Aw, poor Rita! When I leave, I always tell my pack "Be good! I'll be back soon." I do think it helps that I give them each a dog cookie as I say it :-) According to the Dog Daddy, they then take up their station at the front door where they watch the car leave and wait for me to come home. It is sweet to be loved.

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  12. What an adorable family! You two look like you know how to have some fun!

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    1. Yes, they normally have a fabulous time together - but I guess Rita likes Momma to be around to watch them having fun!

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  13. Yep I always say tell them to "be good kids" and give them a treat when we leave.
    hugs
    Mr Bailey & Hazel

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  14. Oh you better believe when I leave Doodleville, there is a ritual that takes place every time! Who knows what evil lurks if I ever forgot to do the goodbye song and dance...

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    1. And I bet there's quite the song and dance when you come home, too, huh? :)

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  15. I think explaining where we are going and how long we will be gone is a symptom of a Crazy Dog person. I know this because I do it every time we leave the house! BOL!

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  16. I never thought too much about it, I think I say goodbye most of the time. But there might be occasions where they are out playing and if they are staying home with Dad I might not say goodbye officially. But that might be different since they're home and still with Dad.
    Of course, there's always a pretty good chance it's the treat thing in Rita's case, since she is familiar with your sister's place and Reggie!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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    1. Funny, cuz I can't manage to sneak off when she's home with Daddy (she follows me around, very concerned, knowing all the signs that I'm leaving) so not sure why I thought I could sneak out from my sis's house.

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  17. I usually do but Mr. N never believes me when I say I'm coming back.

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    1. Awww! Oh, Mr. N - Momma will always come home to you!

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  18. I usually just pat and leave because a lot of the training books say leaving without too much fuss is the best but they do look for me, or my husband, whoever departs

    retro rover

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    1. Yeah, I've heard to not make too much fuss - and same goes for coming home. Both rules that we break. :)

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  19. I always explain where I'm going and say that "I'll be right back" which Nigel understands as "I'll be gone for many hours." But I think they understand that you are leaving when you do that and Rita just thought that she couldn't find you!

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    1. Hehehe. Yes, "right back" in human time always equals "gone for hours, if not days" in dog time.

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  20. That is a beautiful picture of them laying by each other. I tell mine goodbye but not if I will be back or not.

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    1. Oh, you just leave them wondering??? No wonder they get up to mischief when you're gone. :) (Isn't that the cutest pic of them together?)

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  21. My Mum always tells me to go in my bed and brings me some sweet potato treat, so yummy! I always know she's about to sneak off by her behavior and believe me if she's run out of sweet potato I dump the inferior treat and race her to the door, I'm pretty good at sneaking through and trying to convince her to take me with her!

    She does this also if she leaves me at Cosmo's house, he gets some too and he runs into his igloo with his and puts his butt in the doorway so I can't steal it from him!

    I understand Rita's clinginess as I don't like being left either and can get super clingy!

    I bet you got a big welcome back!

    I hope you're having a fun day,

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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    1. That's interesting that your mum does the same when you go to Cosmo's. Your mum is smarter than me! I've learned my lesson!

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  22. I always say goodbye and give a treat. I think the treat is now expected.... Poor Rita missed her routine and couldn't even play! I read somewhere once that to a dog 5 min is the same as 5 days. I hope not and wonder since when they go to grandpa and grandma doggie day care (my parent's house) they start waiting around the same time every day...

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  23. I have separation anxiety because of it mom and dad make it a point to completely ignore my shivering body curled in the corner by the door when they leave together. Not sure what was up with Rita, you did something you hadn't done before and it worried her, poor girl. Love Dolly

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  24. I usually do say "good-bye" or "I'll be right back" when I leave one of the dogs, but it happens rarely!

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  25. Yes I say good bye. I say "I have to go to work. I will see you later. Be good." I say the same thing every time I leave. I think it is the repetition of the words and I bet it was the change that threw Rita off.

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