Dearest Rachel –
Well, bang goes that approach.
Still, I had to try. I said I was going to just yesterday, and that I would report back. So, here’s my report:
Chompers doesn’t like being in the bathroom with me any more than he likes me being in there showering by myself. You might think the warm tiles might be a little comfortable for him to lay on while he waits for me, and can see that I’m right there – although that’s a whole other level of slightly uncomfortable for me, to be honest. But I’m thinking, anything to keep him calm, right?
Wrong. I don’t think he started in any sooner or later than when he’s in the sunroom, but it still happens, and no matter what I might say – nor how calmly I tried to explain to him that I was unable to accommodate him at the moment (and I did try to keep calm, really I did. If it’s my frustrated yelling that upsets him, I can’t go around doing that, no matter how much I feel like doing so) – it just wasn’t enough to keep him from going through the whimper-whine-bark cycle.
I don’t even think that the room muffled the sound outside. By the time I got out, Daniel was awake. Sure, he insisted that he had woken up organically, and then heard Chompers barking, but I think he’s just trying to be charitable. He knows the difficulty I’m having with the dog, after all, and knows I’m trying whatever I can to keep the old boy as satisfied (read, ‘quiet’) as possible.
But I guess I failed this time.
Oh well, it was worth a try.
Now we know it doesn’t work.
Anyway, I’ll talk to you later. Jan’s here – early, of course (generations of my family would be so proud of her!) – so I’ve got to go.
I love you, honey. Wish you were here.
