Yesterday afternoon we brought the pets up to the new house so we could spend the night here and the next morning the movers could pack up the rental house without the little ones underfoot. Ellie’s been getting a bit senile in her old age but was able to compensate at the rental house with a familiar routine and familiar place. But in the dark at the new house she got confused in the backyard and with a misplaced step fell into the pool. I jumped in after her and carried her back to the side and she was none the worse for wear. Gave my heart a good scare though.
While she had been fine during the day at the new house, late in the day the stress of the change was clearly confusing her. After we dried off and I changed into new clothes, she kept wanting to walk around the house, then out the front door, then back inside and out to the backyard, over and over again. I was exhausted from the long day but I walked beside her until she was satisfied.
These paths, this place, will feel like home soon enough, but not on this night. Eventually she was willing to stay with me in the main room, I sat beside her and rubbed her belly and stroked her head and finally she fell asleep. I curled up beside her on the floor as Sam slept on my chest until I woke up later and went back to the bedroom. Ellie soon followed and kept brushing up against me so I got up, we walked a while again before she settled down and we fell asleep on the floor for good.
She’s done much better after a full day in the house but still doesn’t feel quite at home, she’s resting beside me now with Sam asleep on my legs. And no impromptu swims!
Boolie 