When dog's crave company

Cats are independent by nature, Dogs on the other hand require constant attention, amusement and or company. It's why they're known as man's best friend.

My sister, whom we share Freedom with, packed her bags over the weekend to leave for a camping trip. Freedom, my black lab, immediately noticed the suitcase and sniffed the contents inside and realized that she was leaving. How did my dog know this?

Clothes, regardless of how many times you wash them, leave DNA and or some sort of scent behind. Freedom recognized the concentration in scent and registered that as my sister leaving for a long trip.

Although my sister leaves often for trips and I am always at home with him, he still hasn't gotten used to the separation anxiety. In fact separation anxiety happens in all dogs, some last longer than others.

When my sister and I leave for work, he finds other ways to show that he craves company. There have been times we often find him wrestling with a toy or with a blanket as though it was a defenseless pray. He "pretends" to be in the wild, much like how when we were younger we had imaginary friends.

Freedom will even rummage through the garbage or tear newspaper as a form constructive activity or solitary confinement. This is often mistaken as destructive behavior.

To help cope with lonliness my sister and I have started to do a few things. We found a $5/hour day care center by our house. When my sister and I are doing our monthly grocery shopping, we drop Freedom off at Daycare for an hour or two. Seeing his friends once a month not only has improved his behavior but has also made him a happier dog.

Secondly, my dog was happier when we had our rabbit and degus around to give him company at home during the day. Sadly, those have since passed away. Instead after work, I walk and volunteer once in a while to walk a neighbor's dog so at least he has company.

Luv Freedom & Sheila