[Nanci]

Well . . . Our "To Do List" from the buyers has been completed . . . our contract on a home in Ohio has been accepted . . and we are shoulder deep in BOXES!!!! This has been the most challenging 4 months of our lives!!! I NEVER . . EVER . . want to pack an entire house on my own again . . and sell it . . and have a husband BUY a house in another state with me only seeing pictures!! There is not enough room on here to even describe the fatigue Im feeling today as I had to pack all my husbands tools (over 400lbs worth) all by myself. The last 3 weeks I have packed all the rest of the house also. It was 90 degrees and I started really early . . but Holy Moly it was HOT out in the garage!! We do have movers coming for the packing of the furniture, but this is called a "partial pack" . . . seems like a full pack to me! Poor Sami and Carley have been a bit stressed as they see things disappear! Sami has been acting out BIG time . . racing off with anything he can get his MOUTH on!! He rips tape off of boxes straight away as soon as I tape them up . . steals my markers . . and this is the worst of all . . . the past 2 nights he has POOPED in the living room during the night!!! OMG!!! He has not done that in over a year!!! He did eat a very green pecan and I thought it was that the first night . . but now again last night!! Is this normal??? I know they feel stressed when we do . . but I just couldnt believe it!! As gross as it sounds I know it was him as their poos look a bit different. I dont scold him . . just put them both out and clean it up before they are allowed back in the room. I have not packed any of his toys, beds or belongings . . what should I do?

 

[Nanci]

AND . . as a side note he is "bullying" Carley . . when they play she runs under the bed for refuge as he cannot fit there . . but today he grabbed her ear and was trying to pull her out until she squeeled . . he has NEVER made her squeel before . . even when she was tiny!! I know he misses my husband Freddy and is probably a bit overstimulated with all the people in and out fixing problems . . and he normally takes several naps during the day and hasent been able to due to all the caios! I try to stop a few times during the day and love on him . . but honestly I am on countdown and have a lot to accomplish in the next 10 days . . but then they will both be in a diferent environment and I am afraid he will "Melt down". The saving grace is at least Freddy will be back with us then and hopefully they will both find comfort in that. We will be in a rented flat for a month . . and then have to move into our new home . . so a lot more changes are in store for them both so any advise would be appreciated . . I'm about at my wits end!!

 

[dmgalley]

Oh Nanci I am sending you tons of hugs and strength. Poor you packing and all that stress. I am sure he is just very stressed and not sure of what the heck is going on in his life. I have noticed a few times when Jake was frustrated with me he would go over and whack Willow (of course she loves it)
He will settle down but i am afraid it may be a bit with the move and all.
I would save as much of their stuff out as you can until the last moment and I think it is good not to really scold him. I am sure they are very confused and missing daddy.

 

[Nanci]

Oh Donna . . that was my first laugh in days!! (the whacking comment) as Carley usually runs back for more . . but not that time!!

 

[dmgalley]

Jake's new thing, now that Willow can out run him, is to grab her by the tail. That she does not like at all!

 

[Florida Cockapoo]

They probably are feeling the stress like you, but when things settle you can give them all the love they need.

 

[tessybear]

Our poos are so sensitive to our moods they have definitely picked up on your stress. They must wonder why their home has been invaded by boxes too. Once you have moved and start to relax they will do the same I am sure!

 

[Marzi]

:hug:
Hang in there Superwoman Nanci - I'm imagining you in your sparkly superhero costume spinning out from behind a large packing box with tape in one hand and a poo bag and detergent in the other...
The end is in sight.
Freddy better have an impressive list of 'how to spoil my wife and make her life wonderful when we are back together again', to work through...
Poor Sami - he is just showing what you are feeling. He is am empathetic little chap.
My dogs love playing with a big box filled up with some scrunched up paper, dog treats and toys and ferreting around in it. But on balance I'd not play that game with yours until you've got to Ohio and unpacked all the others... otherwise they'll be even more helpful

 

[lady amanda]

Nanci! you sound like you are doing it all right. I would see if there is any way that you can calm him to have a nap a day, I am sure he would be a better boy with a nap, I know how hard that will be though.
it might take him some time to really settle, and with moving into the flat for a month and then moving again, he may have a few more poops and a few more outbursts...but once her realizes that the new place is his home I am sure he will settle down just fine. Keep strong! I can only imagine how hard this all is physically and emotionally. you are a strong lady.

 

[wilfiboy]

I think he's very intuitive and letting you know that he agrees with you that the situation is shite :tapedshut::laugh::laugh::laugh:
Your on the last leg Nancy, you'll all feel loads better soon.... Just dream of sitting in that garden with Freddy, Sami and Carli ... Not long now xxxx

 

[RuthMill]

I think he's very intuitive and letting you know that he agrees with you that the situation is shite :tapedshut::laugh::laugh::laugh:
Your on the last leg Nancy, you'll all feel loads better soon.... Just dream of sitting in that garden with Freddy, Sami and Carli ... Not long now xxxx

I agree with all of the above!

All will right itself. You've down a splendid job Nanci!

 

[Cat 53]

I hope you are keeping a bottle of wine on ice as a treat at the end of a long, hot tiring day. Your poor doggies are wondering what on earth is going on and probably missing your attention too. It's difficult on your own I know, but it's the last leg now. Stay strong, you are nearly there.

 

[Nanci]

This is the first chance I have had to sit a moment and all the comments have really lifted my spirits so much!!! Thank You!!! I have spent the day taking all the curtains down and patching the holes, then painting. My hands are so beat up and actually HURT!! I have also finally finished the garage and all the tools today. On the up side . . Sami did NOT poop in the house last night!! EEEKKKKK!! I stopped today and took him outside for play time with his ball and a game of chase. I dont mean to sound like I'm excluding Carley . . but she seems oblivious to it all . . Sami is VERY sensitive and sticks to me like glue . . hence his overstimulation and aggression. Since I'm still now he has flopped down on the coffee table (his favorite place) and is out!!!!! On a funny note (finally) . . I was in the garage early AM and was taking one of their crates apart (they gave them up months ago) and I had her Buddy Dog stuffed animal incarcerated in there (Carley LOVES him . . but Sami has lacerated his face and he had stitches . . I planned on bringing him back out for the travel in the car to Ohio for her) I had gone back inside and noticed I didnt see Carley . . I called and called her and looked in EVERY room . . had already checked the garage . . but went back again . . and there she was . . She had jumped up into my car while a door was open . . had Buddy in her mouth . . . was in her car seat in the front of the car with her feet up on the window . . as if she was saying "I'm in here . . "I can't bark cause I will drop Buddy!" It was probably THE cutest thing I have ever seen her do!! I would LOVE to have had a picture of that moment!! Priceless!!

 

[wilfiboy]

She knows your nearly ready ... Come on mum xx

 

[JulesB]

Hang in there Nanci. I was lucky my parents had Betty whilst I was packing to move but even then the last couple of nights my parents were there to help and Betty was soooooooooooo unsettled and the morning of the move was horrible as she didn't know where to go as every time she sat down things were packed around her. Luckily I got the dog walker to take her for the day and she came home to the new house and settled straight in. I hope yours settle down as quickly. Hang in there you are doing a great job and hopefully you are nearly there. X

 

[Nanci]

Jules u nailed it on the head! Even tho their toys are still out . . everything around them is being packed up . . then the 9 hr drive . . then a little flat for a month . . then finally their forever home!! They are feeling insecure right now and it will get worse before it gets better . . but at least Freddy will be with us and they will settle in better next week. Freddy has not seen them for 6 weeks so he is in serious withdrawal and looking foward to us all being together again!! tomorrow is 8 more days!!

 

[JulesB]

It will all be worth it in the end xx

 

[loopyloo]

Oh Nancy! You and your Poos have had such a lot to cope with in the last few months. It's a wonder that you've still got the energy to think straight. Have you thought about using something like Bach Rescue remedy for both you and the dogs to help cope with the stress? I always use it when we're packing to go on holiday-not quite in your league, I know, but I always find it stressfull and Raffy sometimes gets a drop in his water too, if he's getting a bit over excited.
At least you're on the homeward straight now and have a whole new experience to look forward to.
Feel free to vent all your stress to your forum friends.
I hope the move goes well for you all.

 

[RuthMill]

Aw Carley,how cute!