Let the word be out. . .I am addicted to puppy love.
The Daily Puppy has inspired my creative aspirations in ways I never could guess.
The Daily Puppy inspired Puppy Love. Puppy Love inspired "Bedtime Tails." "Bedtime Tails" is winding its way through the agent process. I still have yet to get my precious yes, but with five personal responses from agents and zero impersonal "form" rejections, I am led to believe my chapter book has hope.
And remember this little one from oh about one week ago -
This is Benjamin the Cocker Spaniel. I nearly cried from melting with puppy love when I saw this adorable face with his tiny body and floppy ears.
Benjamin inspired a short children's story in me. The story is entitled "Benjamin's New Home" and I hope for the story to find a home in the children's magazine, Highlights.
Puppy love is powerful. The Daily Puppy is addictive. Without either, I would not be driven to write. Inspiration from the sweet eyes of a little one can go a long way.
Pawfive just because.
In mid-July 2011, I noticed trouble with my computer. It would not boot up on the first attempt. It would not boot up on a second attempt. By the end of July, it would not respond at all. I came to the solid conclusion that my computer needed repair now, before possible damage to the system and more importantly to my data would be incurred. I took my computer to the store I originally purchased it from. The manager guessed a quick diagnosis before preparing shipment of my computer to an outside repair shop.
I left my computer with the store on July 23rd. I was told repairs would take 7 to 10 days. This time frame was acceptable. On August 3, the repair shop still had my computer and was in fact waiting for parts. One week later, the repair shop was still waiting. Several days later, the repair shop was finally repairing. On August 17, I received news that my computer was successfully fixed and shipped back to the store. I ran (well, walked very fast because the store is a mile away from my home and I am not a runner) to get my precious computer back.
One month without my computer and one month without productivity as a career writer was truly devastating and nearly a nightmare. I experienced separation anxiety like no other. I actually missed my laptop. Although I was able to keep busy with manuscript editing projects that do not require a computer, my life was nonetheless very difficult to cope with without the necessity of a computer. The separation anxiety I felt is not one I care to experience again. I never knew how vital having a computer really is.
This thought sparked a question in me for Puppy Love - Do dogs experience separation anxiety? According to the ASPCA, the answer is yes.
The feeling of separation anxiety is mutual in humans and in dogs - we miss in a heightened way those we love most leaving us even if for a brief period of time. We, as humans, rationalize the fact that the person or persons leaving will come back. Dogs, however, cannot see this fact. All a dog knows is that their people are leaving. This causes extreme distress physically and emotionally, and in a very short period of time. (Yet when the stress is removed via their people coming back, the dog is as happy as ever.)
The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist lists common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs, why dogs experience separation anxiety, medical and behavior problems that mimic separation anxiety symptoms, and treatment for separation anxiety. The most crucial aspect of separation anxiety in dogs is that the intense feeling must be calmed by showing the dog that being alone is okay and perhaps can be enjoyed.
Common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs include:
- Urinating and Defecating
- Barking and Howling
- Chewing, Digging, and Destruction
*The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist states here that a dog might chew through objects, door frames, or window sills, dig through doors, or destroy the household. This symptom of separation anxiety can be devastating to the dog's health because of possible self-injury, including injured teeth, cuts and scraped paws, and damaged nails.
- Escaping
*The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist states here that when a dog is confined when left alone and is anxious to a high level of degree, he or she will dig or chew through doors or windows to escape. This symptom of separation anxiety can be devastating to the dog's health because of possible self-injury.
- Pacing
- Coprophagia
*This is the most extreme symptom of separation anxiety in dogs because Coprophagia means, quite simply, eating excrement.
The above listed symptoms are common only if the pet parent is away. If the symptom(s) is exhibited in the presence of the pet parent, it is not an indication of separation anxiety.
Common reasons for separation anxiety in dogs include:
- Change of Guardian or Family
*The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist states here that separation anxiety is often formed when a dog is abandoned, surrendered to a shelter, or passed over to a new family.
- Change in Schedule
*The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist states here that separation anxiety is often formed when a dog's pet parent's schedule is changed, therefore affecting when a dog is left alone or how long a dog is left alone.
- Change in Residence
- Change in Household Membership
*The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist states here that separation anxiety is often formed when a known family member leaves, whether because of death or because of a move.
Some medical and behavior problems can mimic symptoms of separation anxiety. These issues must be ruled out before properly diagnosing separation anxiety. Incontinence due to a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes, kidney disease, etc. is not an indication of separation anxiety symptoms. Proscribed medications may cause incontinence and, therefore, do not indicate separation anxiety symptoms. Excited urination is common in dogs, especially during play or when being punished. This does not indicate separation anxiety symptoms. Dogs often mark territory through urination. This does not indicate separation anxiety symptoms. Puppies chew in destruction. They do not know that they are doing something wrong, in the presence of their family and when left alone. This, then, does not necessarily indicate separation anxiety symptoms. Lack of mental and physical stimulation can lead to destruction, especially when left alone. However, this behavior issue is not necessarily related to separation anxiety. Dogs tend to bark in excitement when their surroundings change. This behavior can occur when their parent is home and when their parent is away. Therefore, this is not necessarily an indication of separation anxiety.
If a dog has mild experience with separation anxiety, the best course of treatment is to associate the fear of being alone with something good. The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist recommends filling favorite chew toys with healthy food treats. These toys will provide a challenge for the dog to go through to get to the food, hence giving mental stimulation and reduction in fear of being alone. The challenging toy will make the dog forget his anxiety. Make sure to remove the toy upon coming home so that the dog only knows it is his or hers when they are alone.
If a dog has moderate to severe experience with separation anxiety, treatment will be more lengthy and will take several weeks if not months. The pet parent will want to start with very short durations of being away. For example, go through the motions of leaving - pick up keys, pick up purse or wallet, etc. In severe cases, this simple action will cause extreme distress. Perform this action, but do not leave. This will show the dog that his or her parent isn't leaving yet, thereby relieving his or her stress. Once a dog accepts this signal, move to a few seconds of being out of sight. For example, show the dog that you are behind a bathroom or bedroom door. Stay behind this door for just a couple of seconds until the dog accepts that you are not gone. Progress this action to front and back entry doors where the dog associates these doors with you leaving longer. At this point, stay outside a few seconds longer. When the durations are extended, give the dog the food-stuffed toy before waiting outside the door. The toy will already have been associated with good. With time, being out of sight will progress to several minutes and hours. This progression is long because the dog must continually associate their parent leaving and being alone with something good. If the parent speeds up the process to help their dog overcome separation anxiety more quickly, the dog's anxiety will worsen. Treatment must be daily and weekly. During this time, the dog must never be alone too long without understanding.
When treating a dog for separation anxiety, whether mild or severe, always provide him or her with stimulation. Mental and physical stimulation is excellent for a dog's health and of course will tire them out, thereby leaving no room for fear and anxiety.
The ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist site discusses separation anxiety in dogs in more detail than what is provided here.
There is a lyric in the song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Tears for Fears) -
"Nothing ever lasts forever." Separation anxiety woes are very difficult to go through, for humans and for pups. We know that negative situations don't last forever. We must teach our doggie friends the same.
A pup's happy smile is priceless.
I am relieved to announce that "Bedtime Tails" is in a new form. After detailed editing, my chapter book is ready to get back out there. I am most excited. . .
. . .Except for a rather spooky strange coincidence.
I checked in with Puppy Love the other day. The featured puppy at that time was Amelia the Boxer. Today's featured puppy is Rory the Bulldog. So? Both names are featured in one of my chapters - a young girl named Amelia and a canine sibling named Rory the English Bulldog. I wrote this chapter in early 2011.
You know, if this spooky strange coincidence had occurred in October, I would be spooked myself. Alas, however, I am taking this coincidence as a sign of hope that this time around, "Bedtime Tails" will get a pawfive in publishing.
