Wilbur's 1st day home alone

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:19 pm

I went back to work Monday after a month off being sick. Wilbur has not spent one full day at home alone since we've had him due to both Steve and I taking holidays for the first 2 months we had him and then, as I said, me being home sick for 4 weeks. Steve is a shift worker so Wilbur will never have to spend many days at home alone because obviously quite often when I am at work, Steve is at home and vice versa.

So today is his 1st day at home alone and I'm worried!! I'll give him his kong before I leave about 8.20am and he can go in and outside as he pleases. I am going to leave the fans on for him inside because it's going to be quite hot today. Should I leave the tv on too?

Luckily I only work down the road from our house so I will be coming home to give him his "lunch" and check on him about 12pm. Then I'll be home just after 4.30pm. Why do I feel sooooo mean having to leave him??

Sabina

Photo of Wilbur taken last week

Post by **Auddymay** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:24 pm

Will you be crating him?

Coco Chow · Post by **Coco Chow** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:33 pm

Rowlee wrote: Why do I feel sooooo mean having to leave him??

With those wonderful eyes looking at you... how could you leave home peacefully??

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:36 pm

Auddymay wrote:Will you be crating him?

No Auddymay, he doesn't have a crate. I'll just shut all the doors to confine him to the family/living room, kitchen area. He can't get into too much trouble in there.

I think I'd better give up work and just stay home, there is nothing else for it

Don't think Steve would be too happy with that though - someone has to pay for the very expensive little chow!!

sit_by_the_beach · Post by **sit_by_the_beach** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:52 pm

stay at home mom
maternity benefits? aren't they for 6 months at home with the baby?

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:46 pm

I wouldn't crate him with no one at home thats just asking for trouble, If you have a room with access to the yard leave him in there with a TV on thats what I do. For 10 years I never left Pekoe alone at home but the past few months I have. I fenced off half the yard so that she has access from my room, leave the TV on just some back ground noise and she has no problem. The first few days I left her after her being with me all the time I worried about her so much I couldn't get anything done but now it looks like she prefers to stay home, If I say you want to come with me she heads for the bedroom so I say I will be back later she's fine, she's thinking good ridden's take your time.

Laura · Post by **Laura** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:48 pm

I keep telling hubby that I need to stay home and be a full time mom but he isn't buying it.

I hate leaving mine and I actually get up earlier then I need to so that they get some playtime outside and in before I head to work. I feel too guilty if I get up, get ready and go. Miss Chloe britches still has to be confined because I don't trust her not to potty in the house if I left her out so it's even more gut wrenching to have to lock her up right after she wakes up.

Post by **Auddymay** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:51 pm

Being still a pup, crates are actually safer than most rooms. If you have a 'chowling safe' room, all the better!

Jeff, do you ever run into people Peks likes instantly (and better than you?) I have one friend that Lily instantly liked when she first met him. I thought to myself that had she met me as an adult chow, she would not have taken to me like that!

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:58 pm

Auddymay wrote:Being still a pup, crates are actually safer than most rooms. If you have a 'chowling safe' room, all the better!

Yes, Auddymay he is in a "chowling safe" room. I "Wilbur proofed" it before I left for work this morning. I'm much happier knowing he can come inside and out into the yard as he pleases.

I wouldn't crate him with no one at home thats just asking for trouble, If you have a room with access to the yard leave him in there with a TV on thats what I do

Jeff, thanks for that. Have left him in the family/living room, kitchen area where he can access the yard. The fans are on & have left the tv on. Have given him his Kong and when I said goodbye to him he didn't even notice I was going, too interested in trying to get the peanut butter out of his Kong

Am going home in 3 hours to give him his bone, make sure he's okay etc (might even manage to make a sandwich for myself whilst I am there

!). I know he will get used to being at home alone and it's something that he has to get used to, but I'm just worried he'll fret without us at first.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:00 pm

Auddymay wrote:Being still a pup, crates are actually safer than most rooms. If you have a 'chowling safe' room, all the better!

Jeff, do you ever run into people Peks likes instantly (and better than you?) I have one friend that Lily instantly liked when she first met him. I thought to myself that had she met me as an adult chow, she would not have taken to me like that!

Yeah, anyone with food or trash in thier hands take's priority over me, Other then that Pekoe dosn't want anyone but me around her.

I've seen to many fires, gas leaks, floods, homes sliding off hills and what ever else can happen when no one is home, Me personally would never leave a Chow or any dog alone in a crate. If your going to crate them then just take them with you in the crate or rent a locker at the airport and stick them in the locker until you get off, To many things can happen when People walk out the front door and for some reason it always does.

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:15 pm

Poor Wilber... How COULD you leave those eyes.... Best send him over to me, I'm home all day

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:43 pm

Layla wrote:Poor Wilber... How COULD you leave those eyes.... Best send him over to me, I'm home all day

If I could send him to you to look after, I would. You're about the only person I know who doesn't work

Sharons Chows · Post by **Sharons Chows** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:32 pm

Only one answer for your dilemma......Wilbur needs a sister to keep him company!!

I left JR for a lot of years during the day...he did fairly ok...but 2 years ago when he was already 9...the addition of Miss fluffbucket, Cheyenne, who was 4 ...made the world of difference. They are soulmates now and can bark in unison at all that goes on outside the house during the day...and I know for sure that they have great conversations with each other!!!

Yep...a sister is the answer!
Sharon

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:47 pm

Sharons Chows wrote:Only one answer for your dilemma......Wilbur needs a sister to keep him company!!

I left JR for a lot of years during the day...he did fairly ok...but 2 years ago when he was already 9...the addition of Miss fluffbucket, Cheyenne, who was 4 ...made the world of difference. They are soulmates now and can bark in unison at all that goes on outside the house during the day...and I know for sure that they have great conversations with each other!!!

Yep...a sister is the answer!
Sharon

We are working on that Sharon. That's eventually what we want to do, get another! Then I won't worry about leaving them so much.

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:58 pm

Rowlee wrote:
Layla wrote:Poor Wilber... How COULD you leave those eyes.... Best send him over to me, I'm home all day
If I could send him to you to look after, I would. You're about the only person I know who doesn't work

Oh, I work.... I'm personal SLAVE to Millie & Alf

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:09 pm

I see why you feel so guilty. My my look at that sweet face saying why you leavin?

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:10 pm

Oh, I work.... I'm personal SLAVE to Millie & Alf

I've just been home to check on him. He was laying at the side gates looking out into the park. He bowled me over jumping on me when I got home (I bent down to pat him and he knocked me over). I ended up on the kitchen floor and got my skirt dirty so I had to change it before I went back to work

I gave him his bone and off he went to lay on the lawn and eat it! I brought the washing in, unstacked the dishwasher, sat outside and had a diet coke and a cigarette, it was quite good actually. I should go home for lunch more often

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Layla · Post by **Layla** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:15 pm

It's nice being home huh

I try to avoid chores but you'll get in to that the more you go home. I used to clean & do all kind of tidying

Mia · Post by **Mia** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:37 am

Wilbur,

Mia here, I think you really need a little sis. I love my new brother - he's like a little windup toy. Chutney is my own little pet. I let mom walk him though, cause he hasn't learned the house rules yet, and I am too busy to take him out.

Now, when mom leaves me, I don't mind so much. He squawks a lot, but he's fun to have around.

Don't worry Wilbur, I'll get my mom to chat with your mom and tell her how cool it is.

Mia · Post by **Mia** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:10 am

Wilbur,

Mia here, I think you really need a little sis. I love my new brother - he's like a little windup toy. Chutney is my own little pet. I let mom walk him though, cause he hasn't learned the house rules yet, and I am too busy to take him out.

Now, when mom leaves me, I don't mind so much. He squawks a lot, but he's fun to have around.

Don't worry Wilbur, I'll get my mom to chat with your mom and tell her how cool it is.

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:00 pm

Mia wrote:Wilbur,

Mia here, I think you really need a little sis. I love my new brother - he's like a little windup toy. Chutney is my own little pet. I let mom walk him though, cause he hasn't learned the house rules yet, and I am too busy to take him out.

Now, when mom leaves me, I don't mind so much. He squawks a lot, but he's fun to have around.

Don't worry Wilbur, I'll get my mom to chat with your mom and tell her how cool it is.

Thanks Mia. My mummy has said she'll get me a little brother or sister as soon as she can to keep me company. I can't wait.

Love Wilbur xxx

JAYGOW1 · Post by **JAYGOW1** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:43 am

Wilbur looks so sad !!! And he has such BIG FEET !!

puddinglove · Post by **puddinglove** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:17 am

Leaving our babies is always hard... It's so great that you work close by and can go home for lunch. Wilbur will love you all the more when you come home, even if you left the house 5 minutes before!

Salandra · Post by **Salandra** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:41 pm

Fortunately they learn to adapt.
Jasmine was never left alone (I was sick and didn't work her first year and half of her life)
But now if I'm getting dressed for work she either goes to the door to be let out
(if weather permits) or goes and lays on her couch.
I always tell her I'll be back (might seem silly but I do it anyway) and tell her to behave and watch the house.
Gives her something to do while I'm away.
I always leave the TV on for her when I'm gone.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:36 pm

Salandra wrote:Fortunately they learn to adapt.
Jasmine was never left alone (I was sick and didn't work her first year and half of her life)
But now if I'm getting dressed for work she either goes to the door to be let out
(if weather permits) or goes and lays on her couch.
I always tell her I'll be back (might seem silly but I do it anyway) and tell her to behave and watch the house.
Gives her something to do while I'm away.
I always leave the TV on for her when I'm gone.

There's nothing silly about talking to your Chow before you leave thats what I do and some of the others on the site do. If it sounds silly to some take note that those of us that talk to our Chows and say things like guard the place I will be back later never have a problem or the House isn't torn apart from Separation anxiety, Pekoe was never alone for the past ten years if any Chow would have a stroke being left alone it would be her but a little chit chat and the TV on before I leave No problem.

ChowChow.org

Wilbur's 1st day home alone

Wilbur's 1st day home alone

Re: Wilbur's 1st day home alone