We had a fantastic weekend! Friday started out a little rough (barking and whining when I left, unlike the rest of the week), but I came home for an early lunch to no barking. We went for an eval at a place very close to my apartment and Poppy did well of course. Unfortunately, they won't take her for boarding over the holidays because she has had kennel cough in the last month, so that was a huge disappointment. The owner of this training, boarding and daycare center was very thorough, which I take as a good sign and since it's so close, we'll be signing up for daycare in the new year. I had to pick my parents up very late from the airport and I couldn't take Poppy with me as I can't fit her crate and their suitcases in my car, so I left her at my apartment. I was gone about 2 hours and left her with a kong and came back to no whining or barking, so hopefully that was kept to a minimum, being kind of late at night (though it was Friday). All our walks were fine.

We spent all Saturday together. We had another eval at a place kind of far where we are 7th on the waiting list for this weekend (and as of Saturday, there has been no movement, so I extremely doubt we'll get in) but it's always good to get her into another place and meet new people. I really liked this place a lot! The only downside is that it is kind of far (depending on traffic) and the dogs sleep all together. I am not sure how I feel about that yet, though I wouldn't mind trying it once, just to see how Poppy acts because I KNOW how she'll do in a crate (scream and cry and bark all night long). They offer a free day of daycare, just to see how the dog acts before taking them for boarding. I have to go out of town again in January (all these trips were booked before I got Poppy) so I may try this place at that time. Poppy seemed to really like it a lot when one of the workers brought her back after my tour and the eval, she was so happy and excited! it was funny, the only thing I said on her papers was that she has separation anxiety and that is exactly the only thing the worker said about her too. At least I know what I have to work on this week! We also went on a very long walk in the afternoon to get my watch fixed. I took her into the small independent shop and thankfully the owner didn't have an issue with her and one of the other costomers kids' was waiting and Poppy warmed to her very quickly, which was awesome! She normally doesn't like kids, but this kid probably smelled like dog and was very gentle. Awesome!

Sunday, we ran a bunch of errands. Back to Costco to get my tires rotated and then to my parents house for laundry. I left her in the bathroom while I ran to the market with my mom and I left her in her crate and we were only gone for about 30 minutes and she was screaming when we left and she was screaming when we came back, so I assume that went on the entire time. Oh well. We went for a walk with my dad, as we do every weekend and it was nice. In the late afternoon, I found a hiking group on Meetup.com and we met up for a nice long hike, Poppy's first! She did really well and everyone loved her. I think we are going to try to join in every Sunday we are available as it's good for both of us and close to my place. Poppy pretty much crashed out the rest of the night (as did I) and we both slept soundly. When I took a shower last night after getting back, I put her in her crate with her kong (and Rescue Remedy) and she hardly made a noise! It was the least amount of noise she had ever made, I was so happy! But I am not sure if that was because she is getting used to it or she was just pooped out. We'll see tonight.

This morning when I left my apartment, I gave her Rescue Remedy with her breakfast and she was surprisingly fine while I was still at home, but the MOMENT I left, she started screaming her head off. At first I thought it was because it was Monday, but she was fine last week! So weird! waited outside for about 5 minutes and it didn't stop at all. She howled as I walked down the hall, there was nothing I could do. Oy. We'll see what happens at lunch and tonight and tomorrow. I got a new, smaller Thundershirt in the mail tonight, so we are going to try it all week and see how it does. And then I ordered some calming chews online and they arrive tomorrow, so we'll try those too. Lots of things to try, plus training next month, so lots to look forward too!