PetKnows

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there, right? It’s no romp in the park. Ending a relationship can be difficult on everyone involved including you, kids (if any), friends, family, even your household pets. While your first inclination in any uncomfortable situation is to react, it’s important to stop and think about the consequences of your actions, particularly how they will impact your pets, and plan ahead.

I recently ended a relationship and had to change my living situation dramatically in the span of one week. While I will spare you the sorrid details of the break-up, I will tell you that between us we had three pets, Cowboy (Chiweenie), Scooby (Shepard mix) and Suki, (Himalayan). While the animals clearly had an established owner between us, these pets were bonded and spent much of the day getting into mischief together.

Knowing that my move to a new home would also impact Cowboy, I immediately started doing some research on how best to prepare for not only his new living quarters, but to also make the transition of not seeing his furry friends.

To ease the transition a bit, I also made arrangements with my ex to keep Cowboy in his home while I set up shop  so he wouldn’t have to be exposed to boxes, moving noise and chaos. This really was key into bringing him into a new environment and giving him time to explore the surroundings in a stress-free environment. Remember, animals feed off of your energy. If you’re stressed, they will know and react accordingly.

In the midst of my move, I did some research and uncovered some nice resources online including this mini list from Charlotte Reed at iVillage.com. In addition to placing his favorite toys, dog bed and treats in a similar scenario as my old home, I strategically scattered some of my laundry around my new apartment to make sure Cowboy knew my scent was everywhere and this was indeed home. Most of the articles I uncovered were consistent on the basics, including:

1. Keep your pets on their normal routine, including sleeping, eating and going for walks.

2. Try not to leave your pet alone right away and observe their behavior in their new surroundings.

3. Introduce your pet to new sights, sounds and smells of your new home, including your new neighbors.

4. Reward good behavior! This is your chance to reassure your pet.

5. If your pet has been social, continue to socialize them as often as possible.

So at almost two weeks, Cowboy seems to getting back into the swing of things, chasing balls, pouncing in the laundry basket and making new friends at the local dog park. While I’m struggling with teaching him how to climb stairs (he’s not a fan), he is quickly acclimating to his new home and is making strides each and every day.

And we lived happily ever after…