Are their dogs Yorkies? I think not or you would have stated that fact. I don't want to sound mean, but THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL! Everyone here has given you good advice, but so far you deny it. I fear that you will make the wrong choice and leave your dog with your relatives just to keep the peace. Is that worth losing him? Is it? Please, please, please listen. There are 50000+ members here at YT, the majority of which would advise you to keep your dog at your own home for the 3 days a week you are at work. 10000 of which have owned Yorkies for longer than 30 years or so, which works out to be 30000 years of Yorkie owner experience! (at least).
You have stated your fear for his safety. Your mum has alerted you at least once that your pup's whereabouts were unknown by the people you trusted to care for him in your absense. These feelings and situations are red flags! Do not ignore what you know and feel.
Yorkies are different than other dogs. People do not realize this until something happens. They cannot ever be left to fend for themselves, in any situation.
Your choices are:
1. Explain exactly how you want your dog cared for and offer them compensation so they understand that you are serious about your demands. If they hesitate or argue, explain that 50000 of your friends who own Yorkies have advised you to insist these changes be made immediately. If they cannot or won't do as you ask, politely thank them for their help and tell them you must keep him at home from now on, you really don't have any choice in the matter.
2. Tell them that your circumstances have changed, thank them for their help and tell them that their services for daycare are no longer needed. Your pup will be on a new schedule at home to help prepare for the new pup's arrival, and that you appreciate their interest but it must be this way.
3. Make up something that you feel comfortable with and that they will understand and not be offended by, and keep your dog at home. And if it's alright with them, you would bring him over for playdates on the weekends ....
4. I know this probably sounds rediculous and silly, but I consulted a Yorkshire Terrier Psychologist/Behaviorist/Trainer and I am choosing to follow their recommendations for keeping my dog at home during the week. He needs to learn to be on his own at times when I am at work and to further his development, I am putting him on a new schedule... Thank you for taking care of him for me and we could still stop by for a playdate each week or so...
5. After the loss of your first dog, you have become totally neurotic and prefer at this point in your life to keep your dog at home because you are worried about him going off and getting into trouble on his own. The stress of it all is becoming too much for you to bear and you hope they understand, but that you will be keeping him at home from now on.
If they choose to be offended, they will get over it in time. You, on the other hand, will have a much harder time getting over the loss of a 2nd dog as a result of a decision you couldn't make for fear of hurting someone's feelings. I know it's important for you and that you know in your heart what you need to do, or you wouldn't have asked us for help. It is hard dealing with relatives and emotions. But your little dog needs you to help make him safe, to keep him out of harm's way. And you are the only one that can help him. So, please do it now, tell them he'll be staying home because you love him and need him to be safe all the time and that you could never forgive yourself if something were to happen to him... |