TOAD THE FRENCHIE!

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We thought we'd seen it all, but clearly, no. There is a French bulldog with a dedicated instagram page just for his halloween costumes! 

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/toads31daysofhalloween/?hl=en

Written by Elesha High

October 10, 2020

We've been around. And, we've seen some things. Yes, even in 2020. As  COVID-19 restrictions lift, (or if you are TEXAS, opening all the way up it seems), it has signaled lots of changes in our lives. One of those things is going back to work.

Sure it seems as if it were yesterday (or was it a year ago?) (or has it been 50?) when our worlds were turned upside down. Everything and everyone was engulfed in the disaster, and even if you weren't directly affected, it impacted your life. For most, it meant working from home. This caused ALL KINDS of problems, between juggling family, your children who were likely virtually learning, and learning HOW ON EARTH you could carry on work from home.  I could go on all day about the upheaval all this created for everyone (I speak from experience as my office has been turned into a middle school classroom), but I'll almost guarantee your pets relished this, and reaped the benefits from this unlikely new normal.

Notice how at first, your pets probably looked at you as if saying, "oh, you're home..again.?" But guess what? They got used to it. I mean, who wouldn't? Extra attention every day, regular walks (because, what else could you do in lockdown?), and having their human around, is their cup of tea, or in their case, big belly rubs.

As the months dragged by, the new normal STILL sucked for us, but our pets weren't upset. AT ALL. It is something they expect now, and they have no idea that the rug is about to get pulled out from under them. I cringe thinking about that. But, what if you knew that you could make this transition easier? We found the following tips inspired by this article in The NY Times by Jen Miller, and we are adding a couple of our own too.

START LEAVING

Ok, sure, this sounds harsh, but according to Patricia McConnell, PHD in dog training and behavior, a  this will prepare them for when you are going to be gone for longer stretches of time. If you have been going to the store, and doing some regular errands outside the home, your fur babies are likely used to you leaving for short spurts. But it's different if you were quarantined. Start off small, like 5 seconds, then next time, for 10 seconds, then for longer stretches, mimicking what you would do when leaving for work. Putting keys, purses, wallets and the like in the same spot will get them used to knowing the routine for leaving. 

KEEP THEM BUSY

We already know that pets love chew toys, balls, and the like. But, there are some toys, such as a treat ball dispenser, that will help them pass the time, and they'll have the reward inside: the treat!

KEEP THEM SAFE

Put your pets in a zen state, so to speak. We know that might be difficult with your pets missing you, but a comfy place, or room that they are comfortable in, along with their favorite bedding, a view (or not), and something that smells like you. Think about where you normally keep your pets when gone. If they are used to roaming the house free-range, along with starting them off slowly with leaving, they should be ok. Suddenly placing them in a laundry room when they aren't used to it, or have never been kept there will induce stress. Crates are another option. A lot of pets think of this as their safe space. 

PLAY SOME MUSIC

Music can alleviate stress, anxiety, provide a calming background, or energize and uplift humans! Dogs are no exception. But did you know that they prefer Reggae and soft rock? I had no idea until I stumbled upon this article in BBC news! 

Researchers studied different genres of music being played and these two stood out, even though the dogs displayed different tastes of music being played. This fascinated me!

GET A PET SITTER FOR DROP-IN VISITS, OR DOG WALKER

You knew it was coming, right? But, it makes sense, and not just in the transitional sense. 

Every pet parent, home and every pet has different needs. Even in normal times. Even if you are a pet parent that wants your pet(s) to acclimate to your being gone, and not being dependent on you being there EVERY SECOND, they can benefit from a pet sitter or a dog walker in many ways. Besides, you'll see the difference in your peace of mind. 

The first example is obvious: Someone is at their home taking care of their needs, loving on them, and giving them several or just one potty break a day. This can enrich them , re-center, and distract them, and they get to see their favorite pet sitter. Also, if there are any special needs pets, or elderly pets or puppies, it's a no- brainer. This mostly eliminates (depending on their health, and other circumstances)accidents in the house, but potential bad behavior too. 

The same goes for a dog walker. These simply give the pets a break to be active, and/or social, and if they were already used to daily walks, it helps to not deviate from that. 

All these tips are just for starters. We know that these times are crazy, and unpredictable, and you might feel sad and guilty for leaving. But if you are reading this, your fur babies have the best pet parents who want the best for them!