Gone Girl

I know my blog has become a bit doggy of late, but Hugo has brought great changes to my life, most of them wonderfully positive. The walks, the games, the fun, the love - how did I ever manage before? The slightly negative changes are having to plan ahead when I need to go out, and then worry that he'll be OK in the car when I have to leave him there. Today I began a gradual process of leaving him at home while I ran into Framlingham to do a few chores. I didn't pretend I wasn't going out, but got ready and told him to stay, that I wouldn't be long. I was gone the best part of an hour, and when I returned he was in the garden room looking through the window. He must have heard the car, because when I felt his bed it was warm.

The worst thing is having to leave him with strangers while I go on holiday. Will he think he's been abandoned again, and lost the person he loves? It's an agonising thought. Various people have offered to have him while I'm away, but I think it would be too big a commitment for them, too limiting for a whole week. So I've been vetting kennels,and I'm sure it'll be fine.

The good thing is I've sussed out his favourite game a bit more. I tell him to "Go, Hugo, go on!" and he trots off and waits,and I call him and he throws himself rapturously at me, skidding across the floor and disturbing the rug. When he's calmed down I tell him to do it again, and off he goes and waits, and I call him again. OK, it's basic, but he loves it. And if he loves it I love it. End of.