Feeling SO guilty and missing my doodle time

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

As most of you may know, our son and DIL and 21 month old grandson moved in with us briefly until they could find a house. We now have 4 adults, 4 dogs and one baby in our home. Basically I call it "9 mouths to feed". As that is all I seem to be doing. Planning meals, shopping for meals, and then preparing and cleaning up from meals. At any given time from 4:30 am to 7:30 pm, someone is either eating, looking for food to eat, or asking what there is to eat or what we are going to eat for the next meal. Ofcourse the dogs and baby do not ask, they just wonder around aimlessly looking for food by either whining, barking or climbing all over my legs.

I have been mostly taking care of our grandson as son and DIL are working and at the moment I am not, so I am the obvious choice and not that it's at all a hardship, actually it's a pure pleasure, but I am finding that the only time I have with my doodles is time spent feeding them, filling water bowls, a quick brushing every 2 weeks and otherwise trying to get them to stop eating the baby's toys or steal his food. I have had very little if any time to spend training, which we did every day, I have only taken them on 3 walks or to the dog park in 6 weeks and it took me 3 weeks to give one of them a much needed bath. There is no grooming, no ball throwing, no homecooked meals, no cuddle time on the couch, no car rides to Petsmart for treats, no slow fun walks to smell all the smells in the neighborhood, no trimming of hair around eyes or ears, no brushing of teeth, no nothing!!!! I am in the same house with them and I miss them terribly. I feel sad for them and wonder how in the world owners with children give their doodles the time and attention needed.

 

I promise myself and them that I am going to spend all day tomorrow just being a doodle mommy! Maybe then I will feel less guilty for a little while.

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sounds like it was a fun morning for everyone! Glad you are finding some balance!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Found a way to incorporate some doodle time with grandma time. I brought Murphy to the playground with the toddler this morning and he was so happy to smell every inch of the place. All the food and drinks and toddler feet smells left on the ground! He must've thought he hit paydirt!  Worked out well. Now going to join DD with her doodle at the dog park for a 2 mile walk with them. Starting to feel like doodle time is coming back. YEAH.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Adina, I need you to rub off on me please.. You are so logical and make so much sense. Me, when it comes to Jack,  I think with my heart totally....my brain shows up weeks to months later if at all!!!

[Adina P]

That's the right attitude Sue!  I think when you don't have kids around and you love your doggies it's normal and natural to WANT to find all sorts of activities to do with them.  And then when you can't find time for those activities you feel guilty.  But aside from perhaps feeling thrown off from having their routine disturbed, I think few dogs really care WHAT you do as long as they get to hang out with you.  They're not thinking "oh no, my teeth! my teeth!  Who's gonna brush my teeth?  what if I get cavities?" or any such things.  If they enjoy getting their teeth brushed/groomed, etc then I'm sure they just feel like they won the lottery when they DO get it, but most of the time they will be okay and won't at all feel 'neglected' or have their feelings hurt.  They want to be NEAR you most of all.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thanks for putting this into perspective as I know you are so right. They aren't complaining at all. They are just happy to get to lay at our feet in the kitchen or at the computer. The baby gets to play with them more than I do, and they have lots of fun with the two guest dogs that are here too. Always something going on or someone coming and going. Okay...no more guilt. I will just miss them.

[Adina P]

I think it's harder on you than it is on them.  They are probably just enjoying all the extra company =)  Mine don't get half the attention yours get and that's just the way it is.  I think...I'm SURE...Rosco got much more attention when he was the only dog and I was just dating Clark and living alone.  But life changes and I think dogs go with the flow pretty easily.  I totally understand missing time with them, but don't feel guilty, dogs are quite understanding and go with the flow.  They are often happiest just being near their people.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Found some doodle time today and yesterday, however there is so much doodle maintenance due that I have only gotten in nail clipping, ear cleaning and hair pulling, face trimming and some doodle cuddles when done.  But I am making it more of a priority now that I have vented to you all and the maintenance is done so I can enjoy my guys again,  Thanks.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

WOW! You really need a doodle day! I would let the rst fend for themselves as they are staying with you! You shouldn't have to do ALL that the baby is enough! You just have to give yourself a little time and your doodles-you may feel guilty about that also but at least it's worth it .Things will settle down, take care!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Oh Sue!!  You poor thing!  I hope you can find some doodle time very soon, for sanity's sake!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Wow, Sue, I got tired just reading your post!! LOL!!  I bet your doodles are missing their "mommy time" too!! Maybe you can schedule one doodle day a week until things get back to normal?