Another good night alone!

Good girl, Zephyr!

At first, she was bit whiny, but that only lasted about 20 minutes, and it was a really soft whimper...almost like a squeak. Certainly within acceptable volume levels for when I get my own place. =)

Nothing of mine destroyed, and no accidents on the floor!

It’s important to note that she didn’t get quite as much exercise today. I didn’t walk her, but I had her running full speed through the house and in the yard for a decent amount of time.

Proof that exercise is the key

Immense improvement over last night’s temper tantrum! Zephyr was quiet and relatively calm all night long. She did whine a couple times and she let out one quick howl-cry, but all of that was while she was playing with the treat ball, so I’ll associate the little bit of noise with being frustrated at the toy.

The difference between yesterday and today was that (A) I took her on a 2-mile walk, like I had been doing the week before, (B) I gave her the Clomipramine pill a half hour earlier, and (C) moved more stuff out of her reach.

I’m pretty sure it was the walk that was the key. These things are good to know! =)

No exercise = crazy dog

Oh my god...Zephyr had her first really bad night in about two weeks. I’m glad I had the camera running.

No more than 15 minutes after I left, she was making noise. All the same stuff as when she was crated, but to a slightly lesser degree. Still unacceptable. She only took a handful of 5-10 minute breaks during her tantrum, which lasted exactly 1 hour and 11 minutes. She also got destructive for the very first time since leaving her out of the crate.

All the stuff (of mine) that she got into was on the night stand. First, she went after my 120GB portable drive. O.o It’s dented up, but luckily, it still works fine. Phew...

Next, she went after the box that Uru: Complete Chronicles came in. Meh, What do I care about that? At least she didn’t figure out how to open the jewel case with the CDs in it...

When she got done with that, the noise-making was pretty much over and then she slept for about 2 hours.

Then got her paws on an old school book of mine from ITT Tech. She really beat the shit out of that, including the instructional CD that came with the book. After ripping the book up for a while, she slept again for a few hours before diving back into the book.

When she got done with that, she made her way to the weird red plush/rope toy I gave her. She de-stuffed it in about 2 minutes and spewed stuffing everywhere, but hey...that’s actually something I gave her...

I have a feeling that lack of exercise is the culprit here. I really didn’t do much with her today, aside from chase her in the yard for a short while. I had a feeling that it was insufficient, but I still didn’t walk her. Egg on my face, huh? I think I may also give her the Clomipramine pill at 1:30pm instead of at 2pm. Maybe that will help it take effect sooner? I should think about a new brain toy for her. If she’s getting bored with what she has, I need to be cycling through them, but before I do, I need something I can change out with.

I think I should look at this as a learning experience. At least she held her bladder till I came home (which, by the way, was not until the end of my shift...I totally forgot to come home halfway through).

A bit of a setback?

Well, I haven’t been making videos of Zephyr, as it seems she’s been well under control and quiet. Tonight, my dad made more noise than usual, which clued Zephyr in that someone was home...someone she could not have access to. Dad told me that Zephyr whined and howled for about 20-30 minutes. I wish I had a video going so I could see for myself.

Zephyr alone with Dad - Episode 3

Wow...goofed up big time. I thought I started my Zephyr surveillance when I left, but apparently I started in 10 minutes before I left, and when I thought I turned it on, I actually turned it off... good going, dumbass. =P

It seems to be no consequence, however, Dad said she was good and quiet. <Insert huge sigh of relief here>

Each day, it’s becoming more and more a relief. I didn’t even use any Rescue Remedy tonight. hehehe

Zephyr Alone With Dad - Night 2

YES!! Two in a row! I’m overwhelmed with joy! This is all so beneficial to her. I’m well on the way to believing her separation anxiety is over with! This also means I can have her in an apartment and #1 leave her alone without destroying everything and making noise, and #2 that she can tolerate outside sounds that she can’t get to and still stay calm.

I love you, Zephyr!!!

Zephyr alone with Dad home...

Wow! Zephyr was home alone tonight with my Dad back home for the first time. I also closed my bedroom door with her in it, so that she wouldn’t be able to see Dad coming and going. I put music on for her in hopes that she wouldn’t hear him moving about so easily.

I was SOOOO stressed that she’d flip out over both having the door shut, and knowing Dad is here, but no...she was wonderful!! My little baby was a perfect little angel! I’m so proud of her!!