November 25, 2008
Doggy greetings
Sadie keeping my shoes nearby for comfort
Recently I was out of town for a couple of weeks. My husband stayed home and so the pets did not have to be boarded and were able to follow their usual daily routine while I was gone.
My 2 dogs, Minnie the collie and Tucker the keeshond, are predictable in the way they welcome me back after a trip. Larry and I walk up to the house. Larry opens the door, the dogs come rushing out thinking nothing is unusual. Then they see me. They stop, their noses go into action as they process my smells, then their bodies start to quiver with excitement and they run over to me joyfully for hugs and pets. They spin and twist and wrap themselves around my legs, both trying to get my attention. Aren’t doggy greetings wonderful!
I don’t get this much greeting excitement from them unless I’ve been gone for a couple of days or more. They understand routines, and are happy to see me when I come home from work, or from a trip to the store, but the quivering excitement level is reserved for greeting me only when I’ve been gone for days at a time.
Other dogs I’ve had in the past had different ways of showing their excitement. One dog, Raider (another keeshond), had to grab a toy whenever anyone came in the door. As I entered the house I’d see her run to her toy box, grab whatever soft furry toy she preferred that day, and then she’d come running to meet me with the toy hanging from her mouth and her entire body bouncing with excitement.
Another keeshond I had, Sadie (shown in picture above), had a fetish for my shoes. After I’d leave, she’d find a shoe or two and keep it near her while I was gone. I suppose the smell of my stinky feet was comforting to her. She did this even if my husband was home with her; it was me she was most attached to. Sometimes she’d grab my clunky winter snow boots and keep those nearby until I came home. That was quite a sight! Sadie really knew how to make me feel loved and missed.
What do your pets do to show you how much they miss you when you’re gone? I’d love to hear your stories!
