<p>I was packing all my clothes tonight and I think my dogs know I’m going to be leaving… They kept nudging me. I know people say dogs can’t cry but I saw tears coming out of my little dog’s eyes…</p>
<p>They’ve also been following me around the house more than ever because I’ve been out doing stuff a lot lately. I’m going to spend the whole weekend this week with them because I’m leaving Tuesday.</p>
<p>My dogs (at least the little one) get really upset when I leave even for an entire day. I went on a two day trip last year and my parents said they didn’t eat a bite of their food. As soon as I came home they greeted me then went to their bowl. :P</p>
<p>I think my dogs and I are going to be complete wrecks.</p>
<p>We worried a great deal about how the dog would fare when son#1 left for school the first year (this was partially displaced anxiety and partially genuine concern for the dog). He walked around at night and did spend a lot of time sleepig on DS’s bed. However, he seems to “live in the moment” and siddles up to whomever he can fit next to, preferably my husband. He goes absolutely nuts when son#1 comes home. He howls and spins around and wags his tail like crazy!</p>
<p>Son#1’s departure from home was preceded by frequent comments about how much he (son) was going to miss the dog. We bought a recording picture frame, recorded the dog howling (to Bruce Springsteen) and barking, put the dog’s picture in it, and packed it away in his bag secretly. I wasn’t sure DS would ever put that picture up in his room but he did and soon his friends at college knew as much about the dog as his friends in high school did (did I mention that my dog is so well known at school that one of the girls in school stenciled my son a T-shirt with the dog’s name on the badk with a caricature?). I think your dog will be fine but I always feel so bad for ours when the bags come out. </p>
<p>That reminds me, I can’t believe we are now into our third year of this college coming and going process. A tough transition for everyone.</p>
<p>Just reading this thread makes me weep!! Our 12 yo Beardie is already getting anxious watching the “packing” process!! Although he (the dog, that is!) is a Momma boy, he’s been moping around the house and now sleeps outside S’s room. I think he’s also sensitive to S’s nervousness about going to college for the first time!!</p>
<p>Sadie was described as an Australian Spepard mix by the Humane Society. Frankly, I think she is so appreciative of her home that we can do no wrong. She was rescued from a neglect situation by a Humane Society volunteer. When we got her she didn’t eat dogfood, but was killing squirrels, voles, chipmunks instead. Her background at the Humane, socializing with other dogs, makes her happy to be at the kennel. She’s just a happy-go-lucky pup (well, she’s 9 now) who is just happy to be. On, and by the way…she is now most happy with dog food and treats!</p>
<p>SpringfieldGirl and feline are very attached to one another. We got her as a kitten when DD had already started spending several weeks away at camp each summer. You cannot tell me that cat didn’t miss DD; spent every night and most of the day sleeping on her bed, probably because her smell is strongest there. The poor thing yowls when she realizes DD isn’t home. When when SpringfieldGirl is home, the cat sleeps in the living room under the coffee table and hardly makes a peep.</p>
<p>You cannot tell me cats don’t miss their owners!</p>
<p>I think pets’ personalities run the gamut just like people’s. Their reactions aren’t always species-specific but…</p>
<p>My experience with pet/owner separation is as follows: the dog (Lab) was sullen but instantaneously forgiving and joyful, and the cat (Siamese) was bewildered (often vocal, angry and vengeful) and required much supplication!</p>
<p>My D’s cat died a few years ago. She still pines for her, and actually has a “shrine” on her bedroom wall which includes a retrospective of photos of the two of them together, and a collection of poems/essays D wrote through the years about her! The cat followed her everywhere (imprinted on D as a baby duckling to its mother) and every afternoon would plant herself on top of D’s homework seeking attention. </p>
<p>If that cat were alive today and D was going off to college I think they’d both be heartbroken. I hesitated to get her another pet for this very reason…didn’t think she could leave her “beloved” behind!</p>
<p>It’s a shame they can’t bring the pets with them, but understandable since it seems that most dorms can barely accomodate their human inhabitants–not to mention the health considerations.</p>
<p>I have to admit that my roomies and I acquired “illegal” pets (a golden retriever named Casey Jones and a black cat named Smirnoff–typical BC students–LOL) as soon as we moved into upperclass housing!</p>
<p>Good luck with your S’s doggie–maybe the dog could use a pet!</p>
<p>Our cats also get nervous whenever they see anyone packing for a trip.</p>
<p>Son is in the Middle East this summer and one of our cats acts distressed whenever he hears son’s voice over Skype. Cat doesn’t do that with anyone else.</p>