June 2022
Wherever I lay my dog bed… that’s my home
If you’ve known me for a while now you’ll probably know that my life is never straight forward! And so, June 2022 continued in the same vein. I’ve been working non-stop and only slowed down this week when a chest infection hit me (thank you to all my clients who had to be rearranged at short notice).
The timing hasn’t been great either because having been at Smithbrook Kilns for over three years, I’ve now found a new place to live! I’m still in Cranleigh but moving to one of the new build estates. And it reminded me that Rupert and Edie will have to adjust to a new home too.
If you go to the Tips & Techniques page, you’ll see the article I wrote for a local magazine this month about separation anxiety. It’s a very common problem that I deal with a lot and probably one of the most stressful issues for dogs and their owners. But what about when you move home? For the first four years of her life, Edie lived in one place only. But in the last four years we’ve moved about a bit and she’s had to adjust to a new home, a new environment and new walks. Last time, I moved from a bungalow to a flat so she’s even had to get used to asking to go out for a wee!
So how do you help your dog adjust to their new home when you’re moving? Firstly - don’t panic. The more anxious you are, the more anxious your dog will get. Watching me pack has made my two a little confused and they aren’t sure about the boxes around and why things are being put away. They’ve actually been staying with Kathy while the main packing goes on to keep them relaxed as well as giving me the space to pack things without them in the boxes!
On the day we move, I’ll make sure that I have their food, their bowls and their beds in a separate box or bag. These things will be in the “essentials” with the kettle, tea bags, milk, sugar and biscuits (lots of biscuits!). I won’t wash the dogs beds before we move either. I want them to have the same smell as “home”. And if I’m really concerned I’ll start using the Valerian compound or Skullcap & Valerian tablets a few days in advance so they are less anxious. I may even use it myself!
Once the furniture is all in I’ll drive the dogs over to the new place and let them explore. We’ve been to the outside a couple of times for them to have a pee and put down a marker outside, but they’ve not been inside yet. And this is going to be a big change for them as well as I have brand new carpet throughout. Pearl grey. It’s lovely. How long it will stay lovely is a different matter.
I’ll make sure that their beds are in the bedroom and their day beds in the lounge with a bowl of water down for them in their bowls. Their travel crate (which I always use anyway) will be set up with their blankets in. Their toy box will be there. Everything will be ready for them. But I know that Edie will be rolling wildly on the carpet and Rupert will be jumping on and off the new sofa!
To be honest, I’ve been very lucky… or made my own luck. As long as the dogs are with me, they are happy. Wherever I am, they are chilled. And I will be popping back to the Kilns to meet up with my friends there so they will still get to have a mooch round. Although the new Knowle Lane park will be a huge attraction for them and well within walking distance for me too.
Finally, a sad bit of news for Kathy and me. Her 11 year old Bedlington Terrier, Poppy, sadly passed over the rainbow bridge last week after an aggressive tumour was found on her spleen. I was honoured to be there when she passed and got the chance to say goodbye properly. All of us miss her very much already (she was the top dog in the pack) and we’ll be at Windsor Dog Show on the 1st July flying the flag for Team Poppy.
Stay safe and cool!
Sara, Edie and Rupert xxx
