Pets
Related: About this forumIt seems to be a 'thing' for Arthur when he sees me outside
When I work in the front garden, he sits at the kitchen window and makes sure he can keep an eye on me.
This morning I stepped outside and wandered down the walkway, out of sight of the front door, just to breathe in some morning air and congratulate myself on the stellar job of weeding I did yesterday. A noise caused me to turn around and there was Arthur, quite literally THROWING himself up against the screen door window, with a look of panic on his sweet little face. Naturally I headed straight back inside and gave him a cuddle.
Makes me wonder what he does when I do a trip to the shops. Maybe his brothers distract him.
SheltieLover
(59,464 posts)He loves you! So sweet!
wnylib
(24,226 posts)Sometimes I can hear her crying out from down the hall as I go to the elevator. It sounds pitiful.
She has a comfort toy, a little wind up chicken, that she carries around when she's anxious. I always find it in a different place when I get home. I never taught her to use the toy as consolation. It's not something you can teach. She simply latched on to it.
I've noticed that she is most upset if I leave when she is napping or in another room and does not see me leave. So now I make sure she sees me getting ready to go out. These days, my mask is a dead giveaway. Soon as I put it on (to go through the hallway and down the elevator) she knows. I point to myself and to the door and tell her, "It's all right." She has learned what that means from other times when she gets concerned about something. Then I pet her on the top of her head and leave. It seems to help. When I do that, at least she doesn't howl after I close the door. She needs the reassurance of seeing me get ready and giving her a little attention before I go.
To Arthur, you are his mother, since he was so young when you started caring for him. So he seems to fear abandonment because he is still a little guy. Maybe a treat just before you go out would make him associate your leaving with something positive. And when you return.
2naSalit
(92,371 posts)Usually a cat, I always tell them I'm leaving for a while and that I'll be back, pet them, kiss them on the head and reassure them again as I exit.
It's all I can do, they get a sweet greeting when i get home and that usually works. It kind of has to.