Last week I left Flossie overnight with a stranger.
It wasn’t as dramatic as it sounds. I’m going on holiday next month for the first time in five years. Flossie is an anxious girl and I’ve not been able to leave her overnight with anyone since my partner died in 2019.
So this was a big thing. We’ve been building up to it for a while.
I’ve found a wonderful dog sitter who’s going to look after Flossie in my house. She’s been getting to know her over a number of weeks. She’s spent time with me and Flossie in the house, we’ve been for walks together, and she’s taken Flossie out on her own.
Last week was the big step – the trial overnight stay before I go away for real.
The plan was for the dog sitter to arrive and take Flossie out for a walk. While they were out, I would disappear to stay with friends.
I was a little nervous. It’s just been Flossie and me for over four years. We have such a close bond and I wasn’t sure if she would be upset to find that I’d vanished while she was out.
I needn’t have worried.
I received updates throughout the evening. Flossie looked relaxed and happy. There was a photo of her lounging on the sofa watching TV. In another she was sprawled out on the rug. There was one of her balancing treats on her paws.
Clearly, she was having a great time.
When I returned home the following morning, she was pleased to see me, but not in an over the top way. She seemed a little subdued when the dog sitter left.
And that’s just how I wanted it to go.
I can now go on my much needed holiday, knowing that Flossie will be well taken care of in the comfort of her own home, and she won’t miss me at all.
As published in the Bath Chronicle, 27 August 2023
Suzy Pope is a certified copywriter and newspaper columnist specialising in pets, business and lifestyle. If you would like help with a writing project, please get in touch.