Hi Gigi!

We have two Golden Retriever brothers who are four-and-a-half years old. They are both very gentle and I have trained with them everyday. They have always slept together and played together. Recently, my mate and I separated and I took the smaller (70 lbs) of the brothers with me to my new home. We lived together for 5 years, and I moved about two and a half hours away. The relationship was toxic!

My dog is doing fine in his new home and seems very happy. “Daddy” says the other brother seems very depressed and sometimes does not want to eat. That is definitely unusual for him. He is a big lug (110 lbs).

I am worried about his brother. “Daddy” wants to have visits and sleepovers. I am willing to do anything that is good for the dogs, but I have only been gone a week and I don’t think that either dog has had time to adjust yet without the other. What should I do? Should I make time for the visits? Or? Please help.

Thanks,
Moving on to a better life

Dear Movin’,

Sounds like “Daddy” is using Doggy as an excuse for visits, sleepovers and a way to weasel back in! While change and saying good-bye is never easy, it takes time to adjust. Living in a stable and less volatile home is always the better option for peeps or pups. If it was the relationship and not your mate that was toxic, give it time and the Big Lug will be back to scarfing down the kibble lickity split. If “Daddy” was the toxic one, I say back your car up to his front door, grab Big Lug and make a break for it!! Daddy can lick his wounds by his own toxic little self.

Big Ups!
Gigi

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