The Irish Brothers Went To "Camp"

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We're back from our vacation, and I now realize that I worried for nothing.  We went to FL with our daughter's family and we were doing the Theme Parks, so there was absolutely no way we could bring the Doods.  I agonized over leaving them, and I imagined that they would be "lost" without their Mom.  I was fine during the day because we were so busy, but at night I missed them so much, and I assumed they were also lonesome.  Well, I was wrong.  They went to the Daycare (where they go for a day every couple of weeks), which is also a boarding facility.  They got to play all day (with a two hour nap) back in their "suite".  At night they had dinner and then an hour rest period, and then back to playing until 8:00 when they went to bed.  We picked them up last night and the owner said they were totally fine.  She said she never saw any signs of apprehension from them, and they got right into the new "routine".  She also said they played together a lot and seemed to be very bonded to each other (WTD????).  At home they spend most of their time antagonizing each other....I certainly don't see them "bonding" very often.  The one downside to this whole thing is that I had to take them off home cooking for the week and put them on the "dreaded RX food".  The Daycare doesn't have the ability to store frozen food, and with their digestive issues regular kibble wouldn't work.  So they ate Royal Canin for the week.  Murph actually LOVED it (he thought it was a treat), but Guinness...not so much.  Poor little guy ate enough to keep himself going, but that's it.  He missed his Mom's cooking.  He did lose two pounds which will make our Vet very happy.  Now I just have to keep those pounds off.  The owner said that because the Doods were familiar with the Daycare, and they know we always pick them up....it probably was just like a REALLY long daycare day for them.  I had forgotten about the fact that they really don't have much of a perception of time, so that kind of makes sense.  Anyway, they are just fine and right back to normal.  I have noticed that Guinness seems to have a little more "self confidence" and has been asserting himself more with his "brother".....I wonder if there was something about being with a larger "pack" of dogs for a week that would have caused this.  So, it's all good.  I'm so happy to be back with them, but I'm glad in retrospect that I did this.  We had such a good time with the grand kids, and now I know the boys can survive without their Mom doting on them.  Maybe it was even good for them.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I knew it would be okay :)  So happy it went well!

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

I'm glad you survived being away from the boys - sometimes it is harder for us than for them!  It is good to get away and recharge your batteries though, I'm glad you had a great time.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So happy to hear it was a great experience-yeah more vacations for doodle parents!!

My 2 bonded and watched over eachother also as they do when we leave the house, they sit or lay in the window together watching for our car!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I had a feeling they would enjoy themselves and be fine. :-) I'm so glad you both enjoyed your vacations!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Im so glad they were ok without you. We leave our 3 cats and Cooper for 2 weeks soon, a friend/work colleague will be stopping in twice a day to feed and play with them. I know they mostly sleep all day but ill still worry about them

[Jennifer and Jack]

You give me hope!!!! I am so glad to hear this.. I know they do fine, it is us who can't get over it, I am glad all is well, Welcome Home

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad the boys survived and you enjoyed yourself. Welcome home!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sounds like it was a win win situation.   I would have been so worried too.  Glad  you had a great vacation and welcome back!

[cheryl & oliver]

So glad to hear that all went well for the boys...I think when they are not with us, they will bond to each other, that is their link to us, each one represents home and what they are used to, so they really are bonded, just not at home, just like kids, at home they fight and carry on, but if they are away from home, they will stick with each other in different situations...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So glad to hear all went well.  Now you won't have to worry so much next time!