Will he remember me?

[Abby and McDuffy]

I'm heading home from Sweden in a week, and I'm so excited. I'm finally going to be able to see my pupper! I'll have been gone for more than three months, though...but I can't help but worry that he'll have forgotten me. People have told me that of course he hasn't, but I can't help but worry that the bond we had will be different. Has anyone else had any experiences with leaving their dogs for extended periods of time?

[Sue G]

It seems to me that dogs don't have a real good sense of time. I've never left Ozzy for more than a night, but my other dogs greeted me pretty much the same whether I had been gone a week or gone to the mailbox. Then again I've never been gone more than a week I don't think. I have had people tell me that they get "snubbbed" by their dogs if they leave for too long, but I've never had that happen.

[Hagar]

The longest I have left Renny was for two weeks. He was at a Pet Resort when I went on a vacation. I was concerned whether he would remember me. All I can say is WOW, what a welcome!! He was jumping on me to the point that I could barely write the check to pay for his stay. When we got to the car, I got a major face licking and another when we got back to the house.

I'll bet McDuffy is very happy to see you.

[Nikki]

well in about 10days I ll be able to answer that I have been separated from scotty for about 2.5 months. Well i have been separated from angel as long but she was able to visit me.

But I am sure he will be able to remember you!

[josie&holly]

Hope the flights back across Atlantic are normal again after the closure of airspace this side of water due to Volcano ash, so that you do get home in a week and I am sure your Cairn will know you. A friend of mine was in hospital/convalescence for just over 3 mths and her dog was so pleased to see her when she arrived home!

[kjwarnold]

Yep, he'll remember you. We had to leave our first Cairn, Willie, with my Mom & Dad when we lived in London for a year. It was like we never left when we saw him again. And a few years ago we were gone about a month when we took a trip to Australia. Packy wet his pants, he was so excited to see us! He cried and about licked my face off! Made me cry, too!

[oscar's mom]

My DH and I went away for 14 days when Oscar was a year old. When we came back he was angry for 1 1/2 days. I think he thought we re homed him. He loved where he was staying I think he was confused when we came back. We have since gone on vacation several times, once for 21 days, and brought a baby home. He was fine with that. Maybe he liked his caretaker better. Not sure.

Is your dog in his own home? I think that would make a big difference. End result he will get over it. Have a good trip.

[cbmckin]

I'm pretty positive he will remember you. He has your smell and all the things about you filed away in the puppy brain of his. Bailey or girl was apart from my now husband Jeremy for over a year while we were engaged and dealing with a long distance relationship. When they saw eachother again, she totally remembered him. I think he got an hour long face licking. Also - she get's to see my brother maybe once or twice a year and she remembers him too. She runs right up to "uncle colin" and licks him all over and flips over for the belly rub she knows he's going to give her. I can understand the worry though, it's hard to be away from them for so long! Hope your trip goes well!

[kintra]

I'm a college student, so yes, I have to leave my doggies for extended periods of time. I am able to get home more than most college students, but sometimes there is a month or two that go by when I don't get a chance to see the pups. I've found they know the second I drive up (or at least walk in the door). ZaZa comes screaming into the room, chattering away (the great thing about MinPins is their talking:D) and Zach starts squealing and going crazy until I put Za down and start petting him.

[Brianne_Kathrine]

I have never left my dogs for more than 11 days, but I have not seen my mom's dogs for as long as 7 months. After a 3 month absense from my mom's dogs, they were very excited to see me and clearly remembered me.

[SparkyJonesMom]

I'm sure he'll remember you! It'll be a great reunion! Also, I love that you say "pupper." That's what my husband and I call our two Cairns. The puppers!

[Puddlesmama]

I have a feeling there is going to be a HUGE puppy party when you get home

[Abby and McDuffy]

Thank you all for taking the time to reassure me! I'm not feeling worried anymore, just excited to get back and have things be normal again. As normal as they can be what with my new little brother and the move to Arizona in two months at least. What can I say? When it rains, it pours! I'm crossing my fingers that the volcano doesn't make me have to reschedule, because I really just want to get home.

It's nice to find another 'pupper' owner I love it, it's so cute!

[Hagar]

I too hope you don't run into any travel delays on your way home.

Be sure and let us know how the reunion goes.

[Abby and McDuffy]

I know, I'm hoping I don't either....but I have a gut feeling that everything will go just fine, and my gut feelings are usually correct, so I'm not too worried! I'll definitely let you all know how it goes too. I can't wait for Tuesday!