Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Anxiety But Okay

My husband and I were traveling recently and our younger son was staying with our dogs. He’s really great with the pups, and I was very concerned when he called to tell us that Mystie, our younger Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, hadn’t eaten her breakfast. She’s had health issues, and reluctance to eat was one of the symptoms.

Being away from home, I worried a lot. I told my son what to do to try to get Mystie past this hurdle. She’s had bad days even after we got her diet regulated to help resolve her health problems, and I hoped this was just one of those momentary glitches. But not being there… I worried and called several times.

Next meal? She ate just fine! Anxiety over. But somehow it had seemed worse when I wasn’t there to take care of her myself.

Do you worry more about your family’s issues at home (yes, my dogs are family!) when you aren’t there?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Linda, I do worry about my pets' health and well being when I'm not home, even though I have a wonderful professional petsitter and the absolutely best vet in the world!!!

More than once I've been out of town and have had a pet emergency that my petsitter and vet had handle. I felt horribly guilty that I wasn't with my 18-year-old kitty when the vet had to euthanize her.

I'm getting ready to attend Bouchercon for the first time and am really looking forward to it. However, I am extremely worried that my 12-year-old kitty, who has a big red tumor on her face, will pick that weekend to have a crisis. My vet removed this fast growing tumor 4 times in 6 months and admitted 4 months ago that there was nothing more she could do for Peaches. The tumor doesn't seem to bother her. Her appetite and energy level seems just fine. So, I'm hoping she will stay with me for a long time!

Shirley in Baltimore

Betty Hechtman said...

It's hard leaving pets because you can't explain that you'll be back and that someone will be caring for them, etc.

We went to Vegas last week and my son's girlfriend took care of our cats (I boarded the dog). Since the dog lived at a shelter for a year and a half, being boarded is no big deal. Even with the good care my son's girlfriend gave them, the cats were still frantic when we got home.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

I left my dogs at home and employed two local teenagers when I went to ScrapFest. The girls did a lovely job, and they enjoyed the responsibility. That said, the dogs always look forward to my return, and the drive to the airport to pick me up!

Shirley, I hope you can enjoy Bouchercon. I know what it's like to worry about a pet. Come find me and I'll give you a hug.

Anonymous said...

Joanna, I may take you up on that! I was just telling my girlfriend last night (she's meeting me at Bouchercon) about your idea for the Craft Room. She asked me which session I was going to go to and I replied all of them!!! I heard that the Craft Room was your idea. Good for you. My friend and I will be sure to find you. Thank you.

Shirley in Baltimore

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Shirley, now that I've moved to Northern Virginia, I'm looking forward to getting to know Baltimore. Please do look me up so you can give me the skinny.

I was fortunate that Jim Huang, the Bouchercon organizer, is so open to new ideas. I think the Craft Room will be a super addition. I hope that I can sit in on some sessions.

Stay tuned--the first Monday in October, I hope to have the members of my upcoming B'Con panel titled "Killer Hobbies" come and visit and share about the crafts they'll be teaching.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Fortunately, I also have a professional pet-sitter who's the quality of the protagonist of my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries to watch my pups when my son's not around. Maybe even better, though I'd never admit that to Kendra! But I still worry about my pups when I'm gone.

Janie Emaus said...

Hi,
I don't have any pets and when I'm gone I try NOT to worry about anything. But I do check in regularly with my parents, my daughter and my grandkids.