I do try and keep some balance. I have to remember at times that Jemma is a canine and I need to allow her to be one. I'm afraid if I do the 24-7, all about Jemma, then God forbid if I HAD to go away or she had to stay overnight at a vets or something. She wouldn't handle it well. But I do feel guilty if I'm out shopping and she's been alone for a extended period of time plus my hours away at work. 8 hours a day now
. I'm afraid that she might feel I left her. I think in one respect, being away 8 hours a day can be a good thing. Gives her a little more independance and she seems to be handeling it well now. I just don't make a big deal in the morning when I leave. I sort of ignore her about 10 minutes before I leave, then just leave like normal. She watches me out the window as I drive away...sniff sniff.
And I don't make a big deal when I come home for about 10 minutes. That seems to calm her down quickly. BUT, after that 10 minutes, boy do I make up for it for the rest of the night. She cuddles so close to me in bed. In the morning she either kisses me awake or lays half her body across my chest with her nose 2 inches from mine waiting for me to wake up. I'll move my head a tiny bit, keep my eyes closed and she is fiercly wagging her tail. Yeaaaa, Mommy is waking up. lol I just love her to death.