I feel horrible for leaving Shadow home alone for 10 hrs

[Bruce's_Mom]

I too work...And this will really kill some of you, sometimes I work as much as 12 hours a day...I have had to make this work for both Bruce and I, because when I was in law school he was never alone, and with me working full time I had to come up with a plan...So now Bruce plays with his "grandma" on Mondays and Tuesdays. She picks him up after I have walked him and left for work in the morning. She will usually keep him for 5-6 hours of the day, and take him to the dog park, walk him, play with him, etc or just take him to to errands with her, then leave him back at my place with the TV on to wait for me. Wednesday I make it a point to get up and give him an extra long walk, and mid-day he gets a 15 minute walk from a dog walker. I try on Wednesdays to get out of my office by 5:30pm no matter what and just do whatever I have left from my house. Thursday and Friday he goes to daycare...Everyone can come up with something that works for them and their pooch, every person and dog has different needs.

It does I have to admit get my goat when people get down so much on folks that have to work. Not all of us have the luxury of working from home or being stay at home parents. For those of us that do not have that luxury it sure is better for us to work and be able to provide a safe home, adequate medical care, food, toys, etc for our pups than to not work and provide substandard care. For example, if I did not work my Bruce would likely just have his tooth pulled instead of getting a $1000 root canal that is healthier. I know a lot of people say you should think about these things before getting a dog, but my dog is healthy, happy, well cared for, and well adjusted so I think working folks can manage just as well as those that do not work outside the home.

[ILUVSADIE]

Originally Posted by Bruce's_Mom

I too work...And this will really kill some of you, sometimes I work as much as 12 hours a day...I have had to make this work for both Bruce and I, because when I was in law school he was never alone, and with me working full time I had to come up with a plan...So now Bruce plays with his "grandma" on Mondays and Tuesdays. She picks him up after I have walked him and left for work in the morning. She will usually keep him for 5-6 hours of the day, and take him to the dog park, walk him, play with him, etc or just take him to to errands with her, then leave him back at my place with the TV on to wait for me. Wednesday I make it a point to get up and give him an extra long walk, and mid-day he gets a 15 minute walk from a dog walker. I try on Wednesdays to get out of my office by 5:30pm no matter what and just do whatever I have left from my house. Thursday and Friday he goes to daycare...Everyone can come up with something that works for them and their pooch, every person and dog has different needs.

It does I have to admit get my goat when people get down so much on folks that have to work. Not all of us have the luxury of working from home or being stay at home parents. For those of us that do not have that luxury it sure is better for us to work and be able to provide a safe home, adequate medical care, food, toys, etc for our pups than to not work and provide substandard care. For example, if I did not work my Bruce would likely just have his tooth pulled instead of getting a $1000 root canal that is healthier. I know a lot of people say you should think about these things before getting a dog, but my dog is healthy, happy, well cared for, and well adjusted so I think working folks can manage just as well as those that do not work outside the home.

to that!!!

[crystalsmom]

Izzy mentioned an Xpen and I think that is the answer for long periods of time, they really need lots of room to walk around.

[AngelWorks]

I work at home so even though I'm here with Milo, he knows when I settle down at my desk, he's on his own.

He usually occupies himself quite well. Naps, playing and chasing the cats.

However, as soon as I move away from my desk-----------Milo is right there, with a toy in mouth, looking to play.

When I go out of the house and leave him alone---- I can't make it past 4 hours---I am such a baby!

However, when I was working and had my son's lab at home--I would come home at lunch and play with him. I was a stay at home mom till Zack-the lab-- was 5 years old and so I felt guilty leaving him for 8 hours.

Dogs know when they're loved--- whetehr you are with them 24/7 or not.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by mynameishadow

aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww he is so adorable! I was only able to see the pic on your main page since I don't have a myspace account I couldn't log in.

Looking forward to seeing his pics!

I'll post some tonight

[lara2913]

It is a very long to to leave him alone and I think it would be a good idea if you could look into a doggy care or walker. If you get a dog walker then go through a reputable organisation or company who are insured. Don't leave him in a crate, either puppy proof a room for him or get a large x-pen, he needs to be able to run around and play. Obviously leave a comfy bed, toys, and water. It is certainly not ideal, but hopefully you can make it work.

[yorkiegirl83]

I plan on working or going to school in the future and won't be home all day with the babies.

I'm converting a spare bedroom into "their" bedroom, and my fiancee can come home on lunch breaks to play with them.

It's a hard situation, but you're doing the best you can. Maybe you can look into a dogwalker 3 times a week that is insured and bonded so you don't need to worry about a stranger coming into your home.

You could get references, ect to make sure they are trustworthy

[ARCHIE]

It does I have to admit get my goat when people get down so much on folks that have to work. Not all of us have the luxury of working from home or being stay at home parents. For those of us that do not have that luxury it sure is better for us to work and be able to provide a safe home, adequate medical care, food, toys, etc for our pups than to not work and provide substandard care. For example, if I did not work my Bruce would likely just have his tooth pulled instead of getting a $1000 root canal that is healthier. I know a lot of people say you should think about these things before getting a dog, but my dog is healthy, happy, well cared for, and well adjusted so I think working folks can manage just as well as those that do not work outside the home.
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[Magneticgal]

Is there any way to get home on your lunch hour? I know that isn't always possible- believe me I understand!! I am lucky that I now have an office job so I can do that. BUT when I worked at the hospital, I could never have escaped long enough to come home for lunch. I am also lucky that my dad, who is retired, goes over and lets her out and plays with her while I am at work. BUT I know not everyone has that luxury. Make sure when you DO get home, that you make Shadow a priority. Plenty of people work and have dogs. As long as you take great care of him when you are there, he should do just fine. I know there are HUGE debates on this issue. It totally reminds me of the "stay-at-home" mom VS the "working" mother. The reality IS that most people HAVE to work. It isn't like its even an option for most people to stay home EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO!!!! SO you do the best that you can!!
Good luck!!

[Magneticgal]

VERY well stated Carol- I couldn't agree with you more!!

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

It does I have to admit get my goat when people get down so much on folks that have to work. Not all of us have the luxury of working from home or being stay at home parents. For those of us that do not have that luxury it sure is better for us to work and be able to provide a safe home, adequate medical care, food, toys, etc for our pups than to not work and provide substandard care. For example, if I did not work my Bruce would likely just have his tooth pulled instead of getting a $1000 root canal that is healthier. I know a lot of people say you should think about these things before getting a dog, but my dog is healthy, happy, well cared for, and well adjusted so I think working folks can manage just as well as those that do not work outside the home.
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[Akina]

Originally Posted by Kiwiglaze

Well, I'm in the central valley in CA and there are three different day care places here (I mean a business, not dropping them off at a person's house). It is not very expensive at all, a full day (7am until 6pm) is $17. You could do just one day a week and that is less than $75 a month.

If I have doggie day care here, I am sure you have it in New York. Maybe you could ask your vet for a recommendation?

Get out of here!! Really???
I pay $28 a day for full day!!!
And that is a discount since I bought 10 visits pass.
Only problem with daycare is she comes home so dirty....
She probably play hard with other dogs and also they don't really clean after she goes to the bathroom... (you know, poop tend to stuck in the hair...)
So I have to give her a bath every time she goes to daycare so I can't have her there more than once a week!!!

[sassypup]

I leave Zoe home alone for 7 hours/day and that piggy sleeps all day. We too sometimes think about the long period of being alone so we take turns coming home for lunch and having lunch with her when we can, even though we both live 1/2 hour from work.

Do you think you can find a daycare 1-2x a week? Some places are really reasonable, like $20-25/day. We do that occasionally.

[mminichan]

Originally Posted by mynameishadow

You leave her in a cage for 8 hrs plus?? aww

I know..I am a bad mom But I have been leaving work early and work from home...so, it might be less than 8 hours....

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by Magneticgal

VERY well stated Carol- I couldn't agree with you more!!

Bruce's Mom stated this and I agreed whole heartly with her. Glad you
agree also.
Yes, you can work and have a wonderful loving pet also. It may be alittle
harder at first to train a pup but with patience and persistance it can be
done. Think of all the homeless animals there would be if those of us who
worked did own them. It would be mind boggling.

[mminichan]

Originally Posted by Kiwiglaze

I think a lot of people have to work and since most workplaces aren't very accomodating towards dogs, many dogs end up staying at the house for long periods of time. It sounds as though you already have one day where she is with your mom, so that's great!

Have you thought about daycare for one or two days a week? Many reputable companies offer daycare and some (like mine) have two-way windows where you can pop in anytime and watch your baby play(like during lunch break)!

My baby goes twice a week to day care and loves every minute of it. When we get out of the car to drop her off, she pulls me to the door and can't wait to see all her friends. It makes it a lot easier to leave her when she is so happy to go to daycare! She stays inside all day, so no worries about escaping, and it is at my vet's office so I trust that they can take care of her if she gets sick or something. I can't tell you what a relief it is when she is there because I know she is having a great time and she is SAFE.

That is so nice of your company offer pet day care!!! I wish mine does that!!