A Trip to Moab & Other Absences

Last week Tom took a trip with friends to Moab, Utah, to explore sections of the Kokopelli Trail. This time he rode a motorcycle, but on previous trips he covered major sections on a mountain bike. He knows the area well and loves it. As much as we miss him, who could deny their favorite boy a much-needed getaway? These photos show how nearly unreal the whole area is. And, since we’ve had about enough of the real world around here lately, I thought I’d share.

 

We typically have a good tag-team approach to dog alone time around here, but when one of us is gone, and there is yet another family medical emergency (or two), our sweet critters have to cope the best they can.

After spending eight solid hours home alone last Monday, while I dealt with my mom’s latest face-first fall, Lilly stuck to me like glue when I got home. There weren’t any overt signs she had a rough day. I found no potty accidents, torn-up toys, ruined pillows, or messed up furnishings. But, Lilly clearly needed a long, heavy dose of Mommy Loving. So, I let the pups sleep with me that night, and I think that Lilly would have crawled inside my PJs with me, if she could have.

By contrast, I spent all day Tuesday home working and when it came time to snuggle at the end of the day, Lilly wanted none of it.

Both of us were gone again Friday afternoon into late evening for yet another funeral. (If you’re keeping score, that’s two in the family in recent weeks. I’m sad to report the death of my sister-in-law’s mom, just 10 days after her diagnosis with a rare brain disease.)

Because the memorial and reception spanned the afternoon and evening, Lilly was alone from light to dark, which we’ve known for a while is harder for her to handle. She is MUCH more likely to have a piddle accident in the house when we are gone after dark. I’m not sure if it’s just her biological timing or if it truly is a touch of separation anxiety, but we tend NOT to let her have full run of the house if we’re going to be gone after sunset.

SO, again, Lilly got to enjoy a cuddlefest when we got home Friday night to help her recover from the worry.

I have high hopes that this will actually be the first “regular” week we’ve had around here since late July. BUT, I’ve been saying that for over a month now, and it hasn’t happened yet.

Despite a few worries, I’m in awe of how well the dogs adjust to changes in my schedule, emotional state and routines. I wish some of their coping mechanisms would rub off. Other than a steady consumption of chocolate, I fear my usual strategies are wearing thin.