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Siwsan

(27,257 posts)
Mon Jul 11, 2022, 06:06 AM Jul 2022

It 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.

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It seems to be a 'thing' for Arthur when he sees me outside (Original Post) Siwsan Jul 2022 OP
He doesn't want you to end up in Nature's lost & found SheltieLover Jul 2022 #1
Ember gets anxious when I leave. wnylib Jul 2022 #2
Whenever I have a pet... 2naSalit Jul 2022 #3
That is what I have always done with my babies as well. niyad Jul 2022 #4
My ornjboi snoopervises my outdoor activities also. n/t TygrBright Jul 2022 #5

wnylib

(24,226 posts)
2. Ember gets anxious when I leave.
Mon Jul 11, 2022, 07:49 AM
Jul 2022

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)
3. Whenever I have a pet...
Mon Jul 11, 2022, 08:03 AM
Jul 2022

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.

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