...a dog pic, the first of many, probably.
I took a redeye on Saturday night.
When Ellie saw my open suitcase on the bed, she went into full shadow mode. Every time I sat down, I'd get a paw across my forearm. Every time I opened a door, she'd be on the other side of it waiting for me. At one point she even planted herself in front of the bathroom sink as I was organizing my toiletry bag, looking up at me with her mopiest please-don't-leave-me eyes.
In the years when I traveled for work, Ellie stressed about the suitcase, but less so. Now that I'm home with her much more, she turns into a nervous wreck every time I pack. I understand, I think: she doesn't know where I'm going or for how long or if I'm ever coming back, so even a small duffle bag feels big to her. Poor girl, her heart breaks every time I leave—which means mine does, too.
How do your pets handle goodbyes? Please tell me (if you’d like), that I'm not the only one who gets the guilt trip.