Happy Birthday Tracey–Gotta Go

As soon as we were out of WiFi range I stopped the car, pulled out my phone and called up the camera. Crap! She was barking already.

Since Doppler’s become part of our family she’s been left alone once for about an hour. Yup, just once. Foolishly I’d installed a wireless camera so we could watch her yelp. I believe that’s officially referred to as Guilt-o-vision.

Over the past few weeks Helaine and I have begun to leave for a few minutes at a time while Doppler waits in her crate. Can you really ease into this sort of thing?

It was all put to the test tonight. Tallulah’s mom Tracey was celebrating her birthday at a tavern in Downtown New Haven.

Everything was prepped. Doppler was left with a few treats, plus water in a plastic dish hanging on the crate’s struts. Helaine left the TV on and tuned to QVC. I hope Doppler had her credit card.

As soon as we were out of WiFi range I stopped the car, pulled out my phone and called up the camera.

Crap! She was barking already.

We drove to New Haven where we found a metered space on Orange Street. I got to use my credit card at a parking meter! I don’t want to seem like George H.W. Bush with the grocery scanner, but this was a first for me. Impressive.

I got a beer (my beer for 2012) and began to mingle. Tracey works at the old place so I got to see a lot of familiar faces. They asked how life was at FoxCT, but I’m not sure they were happy to hear how different things are up there. It is night and day.

Maeve Byrne came in from Boston first stopping to pick up the birthday cake from Cindy at Cakeworks in Hamden. Tracey’s cake is based on a doggie cake Cindy baked for Stefanie years ago.

Every so often Helaine asked to look at the dog via my cellphone. The barking continued.

After an hour and a half we headed back north. Doppler was quite excited to see us. It’s possible there are skid marks on the floor. Her paws were moving too fast for her body to keep up!

We’ll continue to stretch out Doppler’s ‘me time.’ I think if given the option of having to put up with solitary every once in a while to get the rest of the life she has with us she’d say, “Yes!”

10 thoughts on “Happy Birthday Tracey–Gotta Go”

  1. I’ve always wanted to set up a camera to watch our furry kid when we weren’t there. He does get into some “messy tissue situations” and I would love to see how he does it…=)

  2. I hope you don’t mind me sharing a few hints. Doing those short “in and outs” is a good idea. Don’t make a big deal of leaving! Nor make a big deal of returning – of course you say hello and such but don’t let her think its a miracle. Buy a Kong – fill it with peanut butter or cheese – freeze it – and then give it to her in her crate. Having something to chew and lick will reduce her stress. Dogs chew to relieve stress – that is why so much damage is done by dogs left out of a crate. Boredom too so provide a filled, frozen Kong or sterilized bone. Freezing it prolongs the time it takes them to empty it! I’d love to hear if this helps – I’m pretty sure it will. Doppler is sooooo cute!

  3. Susie is right on the money with the Kong. Our vet gave us one on our dogs first visit, and we have been using it when we go out ever since. We stuff it with peanut butter, small Milk Bones (you really have to pack them in so it’s a challenge to get out)or cheese. Our dog loves it. Before we go out we prepare it on the kitchen counter and our dog is in her crate waiting eagerly for her treat before we can finish. No stress in our doggy when we go out.

  4. Geoff, we have an english springer spaniel who whinnes and barks when we leave too.
    Its what dogs do. We put him in his crate, and the moment the door closes he starts.

    He does stop until our return and he here’s the key in the door and the excitement begins again.

    Been going on for over ten years now. Just keep increasing the time away and it will be fine. ( Just noisy ) 🙂

  5. Geoff, we have an English springier spaniel who whines and barks when we leave too.
    Its what dogs do. We put him in his crate, and the moment the door closes he starts.

    He does stop until our return and he here’s the key in the door and the excitement begins again.

    Been going on for over ten years now. Just keep increasing the time away and it will be fine. ( Just noisy ) 🙂

  6. Thank you for coming!
    I know it was difficult leaving Doppler but it will get better – every piece of advice on here is right on!
    Just keep trying.
    And seriously the camera has to go – it will ALWAYS make you guys feel guilty.
    And guess what? Your anxiety about leaving her alone?
    SHE FEELS!!! So chill out – Doppler’s hit the doggie lottery with you guys as a family, it’s ok to be alone for a few hours!!
    So great to see you and H!!! xoxoxoxo

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