Great news and yet...
I was lucky enough yesterday to get a job offer as an environmental scientist. Of course I took it! 
Now I am just worried about transitioning the dogs over to a 'working' schedule. Last year I was able to let them stay in the backyard most days as it is fenced and has an insulated kennel run (Built a shed and then added extra insulation for a 4' x 8' section). Now due to the animal control visit I have been extra vigilant and the dogs are barely outside unless I am with them. We will be transitioning to me being away for 9.5 to 10 hrs. a day.  I am trying to decide if it is worth it to drive the 1/2 hr. commute each way during lunch to let them out or if I can find someone trustworthy to hire.
I get to start on my birthday (which is nice). Of course, Sidney is due the next week so she will be doing daycare at the vet clinic until after she has the pups! *sigh* Sometimes timing stinks!!! I am so excited to start working again but my dogs are a huge part of my life and I do worry. Anyone else work and keep their dogs inside while they are out? Two will have free reign of the house, two will have a 3' x 6' kennel run in the garage or crates in the house (Nyssa is not quite cat friendly and I don't want to leave her alone so the pugs will be switching out between the house and the run.) Sidney will be in the kitchen, comfy and cozy once she has her pups. I'll def. have to have someone visit while we have pups.  |
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| First off... congratulations! That's wonderful news!! As far as leaving your dogs while at work... I guess part of it is just seeing how they will respond. I remember being very nervous the first time I let Asterisk roam the house while I was at work and not in her crate - and she did great!
I also was nervous when we welcomed Wendel into our home. He had been used to a home where he had his owner home with him all the time. He also did great. I guess the only input I can say, is it will be trial and error. You may be surprised that your dogs may just sleep most of the time you're gone. |
| great news on the new job!!
Of course my dogs are inside when we work. On average they are inside for 10 hours each day. they each have a seperate secure spot, bedding , water and a toy (if thye are trustworthy) etc. Mostly they sleep. |
Dogs tend to adapt. And they really don't have a concept of time like we do. I have had dogs of all ages, puppies thru oldsters who were home during the day for up to 10 hours a day until a few years ago. They just learned the routine. And yes, they are seperated in 5'x5' kennel runs while we are gone. Inside with no doggy doors. But they can see each other. I do this for their safety & for my sanity  . I worry too much about them getting into things that might hurt them......even tho' these 3 never seem to attempt to do so. Well.........not uless it involves food & Mariah. Once we are home, the dogs are with us in the house or outside or go where we are going for the evening. At the present time they are usually only at home alone about 5 hours at a time daily during the work week. |
| I think I have been spoiled with being home for so long and am projecting onto them. They have potty breaks about every two hours during the day so I know they are going to be uncomfortable the first few days! I also have an issue with the pugs - they refuse to be uncomfortable and will soil their kennels/dog runs even if kept there for a few hours. Incredibly hard breed to fully house-break! The shepherds and Sidney can be trusted as far as not soiling in the house but Nyssa and Sidney are not cat-trustworthy. Instead of a traditional whelping box, I am bringing in a 3' x 6' x 5' high kennel run and building a raised platform for under/around it & a set of rails for inside the first few weeks. This way, she can feel secure, the cats won't be eaten and Mojo will stay relaxed. I am disappointed that I am going to miss so much puppy time. When breeding Sidney, there weren't any viable work options and it had been that way for so long that I had envisioned being home 24/7 with the pups. They are due the week of or week after I start work! Murphy's law, I guess!!! |
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