A bit of help please?

[maelstrom mary]

This is not doom and gloom at all, but I would appreciate some input. It is a bit complicated.

Phoebe is just 7 years old, and her Mummy, Maddie was sadly PTS at the end of Feb age 12+. Pheebs has never lived apart from her mum, ever but she in turn has been the most wonderful mother to 3 (finite) litters.

Adelphi, her final daughter whom we chose to keep, so sadly died from such an unfortunate wound inflicted by a friends dog. This was Pheeb's daughter whom she loved...we were all devastated beyond belief, but Pheebs was also so distressed.

We are now so blessed to own Roxy, bred by Maddie's original breeder. Phoebe thought that Adelphi had been out on a 'dirty stop out' and had returned....when we brought Roxy home; she treats her as a daughter. Now Roxy is a show dog, and we go out and about, but Phoebe and her have such a good relationship.

We are off to sunny Spain and Roxy is staying with her breeder.
Pheebs is staying in our home with our daughter and her kids.... I do not want Phoebe to think that she is losing out (surely better than kennels?!!).

If Maddie had still been alive, she would have been at home here with our daughter, and Phoebe and Roxy would have been placed in our really excellent kennels

I do feel that Phoebe could be be feeling a bit neglected, and that is the last thing that I want, as we love her to bits; and if she did but know it, I have tried to find a solution whereby she'll just be here!

maelstromx

[Cheryl]

Are you wondering if you are doing the right thing for her? She's home, she must know your daughter, and the kids should help her get over her depression of losing both her own mother and daughter...you should feel confident for her and yourself, then when you return, she will be twice as happy. Or, second choice...if you stayed home w/her, you'd both be sad...and it would take longer to rebound;)

Would it make you feel better if your daughter had both Roxy and Pheebs at home w/the kids?

With mine, I know they are happy for a week if I must be gone. Three days is better, but anything after a week, I know something of their bedding will be shredded and also a collar as they do not get the exercise they and I are used to.

[greyghost]

Hi Mary, I know you go on hols soon so I would start to give them both some Walnut Bach Flower for the change that is about to happen. It won't be for long and I think Phoebe might even like the attention of being the only dog in the house for a while. It might feel strange for her at first but if you get Emma to be upbeat with her and positive she may even start to enjoy it.

If she starts to pace you can spray some Rescue Remedy around or rub it in between her ears. (Actually White Chestnut is best for pacing but at leat the RR might cover any other incidentals).

We all hate going away and leaving our 'babies' but needs must and we all need to recharge the old batteries sometime. You especially need a holiday after all you have been through lately so try not to worry too much.

Hope you have a great holiday and have a Mistella or two for me and give Sieglinde and Bryan (oh and Louis, of course) a hug when you visit them.