May 17, 2016

We're Worriers. So, Yeah, We Asked for Proof of Life

I took a blogging break last week because we went to Maui for vacation. If we go somewhere that Rita can't join us, she stays with my sis, brother-in-law, and Reggie. She loves them all and they take great care of her, so we have no worries.

Except when we do worry... Which is often for me.

I can't help it - I've always been a worrier and I always will be one. I have this very terrible habit of always imagining the worst - not because I really think that's going to happen, but because I have to let my mind go there for a minute, just to see what the "worst" might be.

So, off we went last Saturday to Maui, secure in the knowledge that Rita would be well taken care of. I snapped this pic as we were leaving. As you can see, Rita looks completely unconcerned about this!
"Oh, you're leaving? Oh. Okay. Whatevs. See ya'!"
When we landed, we checked in to let my sis know we'd gotten there okay, and she sent this cute pic - note the raindrops and Rita's puzzled expression. ("What is this stuff, and why am I out here in it??")
Photo credits from here down: my sis

We also got a series of funny (and of course blurry) pics of Reg playing "spin the Rita."

On Sunday, I got a sweet pic of my girl, whilst missing her on Mother's Day.
"Okay, I didn't realize you were leaving for days. I miss you, Momma!"

On Monday, we got this cute photo of Rita apparently telling Reg that SHE gets to greet her aunt first at the gate!
Rita: "Me first!" Reg: "She's MY mom!" Rita: "Yeah, but I'm, like, an orphan this week!"

Later that day, we got this fun montage of them playing and hanging out together.

Tuesday we got nuthin'.

Nuthin'. 

Wednesday we got nuthin' again.

Lots and lots of nuuuuuuuuthiiiiiiiiinnggggg.

I didn't want to let on that we were worried, so I sent a faux-casual "Hope Rita's being good!" text, which was really a desperate plea for pics and news. (I mean, obviously, right?)

We got back a short "All good here" reply. No photos! No actual news about our doggy.

This is when I start to think things like... "If the dog died while we were away, would they tell us? Or would they pretend she was still alive until we got home, so as not to ruin our vacation???"

So, yeah... on Thursday May 12, we asked for "proof of life." Happily we got back this photo of a not-very-cooperative Rita beside that morning's paper. :)
If you bigify it, you can see the date.
(Would you be surprised if I said that I kinda wondered if she actually looked alive in this photo? I mean, I thought it just for a moment...)

BTW, we always call my sis's house The Gulag (cuz they have a few actual rules!; meanwhile our rule-free house was always "The Spa"). But then I got this one last pic from my sis. Note who is on the bed (I'm pretty sure there's a rule about that...), and note (in the background) who is not!
"I don't know why we call this place The Gulag?? **yawns loudly**"

We'll be watching Reg soon, so I'll have to clear up ahead of time how often they want to be reassured that Reg is still alive. Luckily for my sis, she's not quite as much of a worrier as I am!

Next week.... Maui pics! Be sure to come back for a gorgeous sunset snap, and, yes, there will be dogs! And cats. And birds. And stuff.

Do you worry when you're away from your dog? (It's normal... right? I mean... to a point anyway...)

Thanks to BlogPaws for hosting Wordless Wednesday! Thanks for letting me be wordy! You can check out all the blogs in the hop here.
 

62 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! We took our first trip to Maui last month and I can't get it off my mind! We're actually trying to figure out if we could move there and somehow make enough of a living to afford more than a shack somewhere, lol! We worried about Haley too while we were away, so I can totally relate to the lack of info sometimes and wondering if she was okay. :)

    I can't wait to see your pics! We ended up staying in South Maui (Makena area) and LOVED IT!

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    1. Oh, how funny that you were just there too! We went to a couple of beaches in Makena (Big Beach and Secret Beach). We usually stay in these condos right between Kihei and Wailea. We've been several times and also always contemplate moving there! :)

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  2. Love Love Love Hawaii! Last time my pawrents went was right before they got me, in 2007. They have not gone back because of all the strict quarantine laws and they always bring me with them. Anyway, other times we've traveled throughout the years, we leave my doggie siblings with dog sitters. We've have to get rid of several because of non-responsiveness. We, like you - call every-single-day to check on things (we don't have fancy texting phones). We want to know who is eating, how they're doing, that they are still alive and worry. Worry that something will happen or that one might escape (they're artists at this) and the caregiver wont be able to catch them or they'll get run over. You are not alone. One year we received a call from our neighbor that our dogs were outdoors in 100 degree weather for a very long time and they called police we were in a PANIC - and this was a vet tech!! Another time the dog sitter (that worked with several animal hospitals) did not answer our calls for two days. It was the 4th of July holiday and she was visiting with friends. Which led us to believe perhaps she had been partying too much and never took care of our babies and that is why she didn't call. Because why didn't she call while she was at our house taking care of them? Another sitter we told her that one of our dogs does not like children and not to bring anyone else around. They brought their daughter and infant and when we returned they told us that they allowed their child to be near the dog that had 'issues' and nothing happened. Essentially saying it was all in our heads. Another sitter called to tell us one of our dogs would not come out of the garage and left them there overnight - in the summer, the garage gets hot- grrr! Another vet tech we came home after a vacation and there was feces and urine inbedded in the dog bedding and vomit on our living room pillows. We have several nightmare stories. So hard to know who to trust. We typically go to people who have good references from vet techs, animal hospitals, shelters, people who actually work with dogs - and we've learned even then they are not always the best to hire. But I digress... I just want to say... you are not alone! The reasons to worry are right in this response.

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    1. Wow, you've had some bad experiences! I would be SO worried if I had to leave Rita with a sitter that I didn't totally know. We're super lucky to be able to leave her with my sis. I know my sis loves her and treats her the same as we would - but I still worry about things like her escaping. Like you, we had a dog before that was an escape artist - once when she was staying at my sister's, she jumped the fence (!) after we left her there (maybe thinking she could come find us??). Luckily a nosy neighbor saw her and called my sis!

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  3. I know the feeling! I'm always stressing too! I know they are safe and spoilt when they are at my mother in law her house, but still, I don't want them to think I'm leaving them!!
    Lovely pictures!! Love x

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    1. Yeah, along those lines... I always make a point of telling Rita that we'll be back for her. Who knows what they understand... so doesn't hurt to tell her we're coming back, I figure. (Besides, I always say "I'll be back soon" when I leave to run an errand, so maybe she does sort of understand the concept of "coming back.")

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  4. I'm a worrier, too, big time. I worry about everything. Since we got Jimmy, (9 years now!) we haven't gone on a vacation without the dogs. It's that bad! LOL!

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    1. Wow - that is a big time worrier. If we didn't have family to leave Rita with, we probably wouldn't travel without her either. I just can't see Rita doing well in a boarding situation so I couldn't stand to leave her. Some dogs I think do great and love the interaction with the other dogs being boarded, but I just don't think Rita would dig that!

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  5. So funny! Yes, I am worrier, too and would have reacted in the exact same way if I hadn't received a photo in a few days.

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  6. I love the proof of life pic. Always miss them when we travel. It's better when they are with family, worse when we have to board.

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    1. Yes, it's a big relief for us to be able to leave her with family. We had to leave our beagle in various boarding situations and with friends before we moved back home and it was always a HUGE worry!

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  7. I like to think of needless worrying as a preventative. Since major problems seem to come out of nowhere, if you anticipate the worst it won't happen! Pure magical thinking I know, but we haven't fallen into the sun now have we?!

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    1. lol. Yes!! That's exactly right! If I worry that my hubby got hit by a car while out riding his bike if he comes home 10 minutes later than normal, I've just prevented that from happening! Cuz what are the odds that what you think will happen will happen?? :)

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  8. Hi Y'all!

    I have a sitter. I stay in her home with her 7 dogs when the Humans must travel without me. I hear my Papa tell Mama he doesn't want to leave me for more than a week. Hey, I love staying with the menagerie! Okay, so I am ready to come home when they come to pick me up.

    They prefer to take me with them. Therefore, vacations are usually in the winter months. (Seems I'm a little big to sneak into a first class restaurant and hotel.)

    Y'all come on by,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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    1. We go on a lot of vacations with Rita along but sometimes we have to answer the siren call of Hawaii! :) That's nice that you have a sitter you love to stay with!

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  9. I never even thought to ask for "proof of life" even though I am a worrier just like you! I will have to remember to ask for it the next time we are away!

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    1. Yes, you'll have to remember next time! Hopefully Oz stays with someone who gets a daily newspaper. :)

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  10. Lol I think I would be the same way. I can't wait to see your pics, especially your sunset one. I hope you got the sunset shot you really wanted.

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    1. I did get an amazing shot - but only with my cell phone! Definitely planning to print it, but not sure I can blow it up too much. (But we did order a BIG print from a photographer there of a pretty sunset over a beach we love, so our "art over the fireplace problem" is finally solved!)

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  11. "Spin the Rita" LOL I'm just like you and found myself really looking closely at Rita with that newspaper. Even though I knew she was alive. Bet you three had a very happy reunion :-)

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    1. Well, she barked at us at first... It was dark and I don't think she could see us too well through the sliding glass door - but after THAT we did get some nice kisses!

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  12. I havent traveled in years because with all our pet its impossible. However, I really want to save up and take one trip with my husbadn in the next few years, boy it will be pricey with the cost of pet hotels for most of our 5 dogs, my father in law could wantch the calmer ones, and a carer for our cats. Im sure Ill also be nervous. I keep going back and forth about whether to do it

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    1. Gosh, if I had as many pets as you I probably wouldn't travel either - unless i had a family member/very trusted person that could come and stay at the house. We love to travel so much - it would be hard to imagine not going anywhere for years. You should do it! You'll worry - but it will all be fine!

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  13. I am also a worst case scenario gal. I have asked if I am out of the country not to be notified if anything happens to the dogs. It is hard, but I do survive and so do they!

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    1. Yeah, I think when you are on a BIG trip it's just best not to know until you get home. My sis said we should always remember "no news is good news" - but it's hard being a worst case scenario person!

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  14. So Rita just scoffs at the rules at the Gulag and does what she does at home? And your sister just allows this rebellion? I love it.

    My home is a spa too. I'm not sure how my dogs would handle many rules.

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    1. Yeah.... it's not such a gulag after all, is it? :)

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  15. Ha Ha - yes I am a big time worrier - all the time. Hubby goes home for lunch everyday usually the same time and I call to see how the pugs are.
    If he does not answer on the second try my mind starts going OH MY _ SOMEONE HAD TO GO TO THE VET or something is wrong.'
    and we are always OK
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  16. I'm also a worrier. Your post was funny but relate-able. Rita and Reg are adorable together. Lucky you to have a good care taker to watch over rita. My friend another poodle was in stir this week while his people were gone. LeeAnna
    who just takes Cole everywhere...limiting....

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    1. ps think your sister would take Cole while we went away? Thanks

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    2. lol. I can ask her! :) Or maybe we could take him!

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  17. Mr. N almost always goes with us but when he doesn't, he goes to stay with friends and even then I fret tremendously! And then I drive the bf crazy by pointing out all the dogs we see.

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    1. Lol. We do the same - pointing out all the dogs. While we were in Maui, we were getting stressed because we had seen some dogs but none that we managed to be able to say hi too. We finally met some dogs on the beach one night and it was awesome to get a little doggy love!

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  18. Bahahahahaha! The captions are excellent! Yes, I worry. I worry that B thinks I have abandoned her. I worry that she isn't happy, I worry that she IS happier without me. I have to be in the hospital a night or two in a few weeks and I am worried because I am using a new pet sitter. Someone from the same vet's office - but still... And the last pet sitter was a little stingy with the news of how B was doing. It was like pulling teeth to get any info! And I didn't get pics either. Not sure how it will go this time. I just have to leave it in God's hands that everything will work out like it is supposed to. And I figured it will be way better for B if she's at home than if I left her at a kennel. At least she'll be in familiar surroundings. Right? Right? (worryworryworry...)

    By the way, that's hilarious that your sister took a picture of Rita in front of a newspaper - ha!

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    1. I'm sure it will all be fine! (but I know I'd be worrying too if I was in your shoes.) And I think the same - I'm sure B would rather be at home than in a kennel. Hope all goes well with your hospital stay and that you are quickly home again with your girl!

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    2. BTW... don't know if you'll see this - but if you do.... I don't see a way to comment anymore on your blog. I'm assuming that's intentiional? But, anyway... I don't know anyone who's had that similar procedure (and I can't even say it 3 times slow, let alone 3 times fast) but good luck with the surgery! Hope you'll be back to hiking soon!

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    3. You have to click on the post title to comment. Weird. I changed the template. I guess it had something to do with that so now you can easily see where to leave a comment if you so choose. :)

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  19. I know this will shock you, but I am just like you!! I totally freak out if I'm gone away and I send a text home (where the dogs always stay with my sister), and it doesn't get answered right away!
    I am definitely going to remember that proof of life thing next time!
    I am convinced that if I don't imagine the worst, that's when the worst will happen. A little crazy, right?

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    1. lol. Yes, that is a total shock that we think exactly alike on this!

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  20. Proof of life. Hahahaha!! Was Maui amazing?? I love to get photos of Miss Cocoa when we go away and I am an anxious mess!!

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    1. Yes, it was amazing! This was our 4th time there. (We've also been to Kauai and the Big Island, but Maui is our fave.) It's our go-to place for a relaxing vacation! And it's easy to get to from San Diego. (So rare to get non-stop flights from here, but Maui is one place we can get to without any layovers!)

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  21. "Proof of life" that is hilarious, but I totally understand. I hope you did find time (in-between your worry moments) to have a good time.

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    1. We did in fact manage to have a fabulous time! Although I am a worrier and always will be - at least I'm not a *constant* worrier! :)

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  22. you are so funny!! I am the same and I think we all are!!!! Loved this! Hope you had a blast in Maui!! DakotasDen

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    1. I guess it comes with being a pet parent. And we did have a blast! It's our 6th time going to the islands. We loooove to go there. Just wish we could easily bring Rita along!

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  23. I am a huge worried - wish I knew how to stop. You were completely right to ask for proof of life. I probably would have hopped a flight back. Despite that, hope you had a great vacation. And BTW, it's great Rita gets along so well with your sis!

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    1. I wish I knew how to stop too, but I figure at this late date that's never going to happen. So I try to get my worries over with and move on.

      It is great that Rita loves my sis so much. Maybe toooooo much.... In the past we received a pic of Rita snuggling in my sis's lap. She NEVER sits in MY lap. WtH?? I console myself by saying she was missing me SO much, she had to seek out some cuddles. (Beast.)

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  24. LOL the hostage picture with the newspaper is hysterical. I like your sister. :)

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  25. That's a great post. Worrying, but knowing they're all ok. The dogs loving it, but missing you and their routine. Pretty nice bed in that gulag!

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  26. Some people always want to know what their pets are up to, some don't care. Being a blogger and photo nut, my mom always wants photos, so we understand.

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    1. It's definitely nice to get photos! We always look at the ones we get a lot while we're gone!

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  27. OMG I worry SO much, so much so that I hate to go away. Actual conversation at my house:

    Hubs: I don't worry about the dogs when I go away, because I know you are there.

    Me: Hmmm, that's funny, I DO worry about the dogs when I'm away, because I know YOU are there. Bah ha ha, I don't even trust the Hubs.

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    1. lol. That's pretty funny. I have to go away this summer and leave Rita alone with the hubs for the first time ever. We works so much, that I worry about leaving her with him too! :)

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  28. Being in Hawaii this week as well, I know exactly what you mean! Sam is at a boarding kennel/daycare place and has bee pacing around like one of the Lost Boys from Peter Pan-it breaks my heart. We're having the time of our life and at night we're saying, "gosh, I wonder how Sam is doing?" instead of reveling in our daytime fun. Are we pathetic, or what? If there's a Wi-Fi signal, we pull up the video cam to check on our boy repeatedly throughout the day.

    Can't wait to see your photos! Happy reunion with the ever adorable Rita. 🐾

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    1. I thought that that Wordless Wed post of yours looked like Hawaii! That's nice that you have the video cam to be able to check in. I fear that is all we'd do if we had that option!

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  29. hello pooch smooches its dennis the vizsla dog hay wow it luks like a ruff life their at the gulag for shoor!!! i wunder ware i kan find a gulag like that!!! dada sez i alreddy liv in wun but let me tel yoo it is hard wurk beeing the seenyor dog arownd heer!!! ok bye

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  30. BOL! I'm right there with you, I miss the pup like CRAZY when we are away and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE when we are sent pictures from their "dog sitters", typically for long trips Shasta goes to Grandpa & Grandma doggie daycare and hangs with his best buddy Teddy. We have been known to have Skype "conversations" with him... ;-)

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  31. I'm so glad Rita got to spend time with your sis and her pal.

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