I feel so bad leaving this dog in this heat!
I’ve been pet sitting on Rover for 2 years. Last week, I booked recurring walks with a white German Shepherd. This is actually my first time booking weekly walks. I’m usually booked for house sitting. Anywho, I’m not sure when the owner’s workday starts, but I know she gets home at 5 PM. The walks are scheduled M/W/F at 2 PM.
Well, over the last week and few days here in North Carolina, it has been between about 85 and 95° F practically from morning until sunset — of course, feeling like 10 to 20° higher than that.
So because this 3yo dog has separation anxiety, the owner leaves him outside while they’re at work. She has a cage for him inside, but he has high energy, it’s a bit bent up, and he’s figured out how to force himself out of it without the door unlatching. I witnessed it during the meet & greet. She also sent me a picture she took when she came home to one of her rooms torn up (pillows, blankets, pee pads, anything with stuffing).
She doesn’t have insurance which could be one reason why she hasn’t gotten him anxiety meds to help with that. But I feel so bad having to leave this hot, panting dog back out in this heat shortly after a hot walk. One of her rooms barely has furniture in it! Literally a massage table, a bench if I remember correctly, and pieces of an insulated dog house she plans on giving away with the box it came in.
Maybe I’m not thinking realistically, but there is enough space in the living room to bring those things out there and at least give that dog the room to rest and play in with cool air. Am I unreasonable for thinking that way? If that’s not an option, can we at least give this poor furry boy some CBD gummies?! I will buy them myself!
Not sure if I’m venting or seeking advice on how to move forward with this, but it’s going to be so hot, and I’m about to leave in a bit to walk him again, and I just had to talk to people who would understand. I feel like he also thinks that I don’t care about leaving him in this heat, but I really do! 😫 When we turn around to go back home, I can tell by how much faster he walks that he’s excited to go back inside. Just to be left outside again. 😔
Also, with some of the other sturdy kennels I’ve seen for medium/large dogs at some of my other clients’ homes…. I’m just struggling to find a good reason why the dog is still outside.