In pre-pandemic times, you could walk through urban streets towards the end of any work day and see dogs … waiting. They waited at fences, on lawns, driveways and verandahs, or appeared at windows with cocked ears and hopeful smiles. When their people finally got home – often 10 or 12 hours after leaving for work – the dogs danced jigs of relief and happiness. All too soon, though – despite their persuasive canine charms – the bloody people left again, and the dogs returned to waiting.
According to a study, one in five of the nation’s 4.6 million pet dogs – and a quarter of all pet cats – were acquired during the pandemic.Then came COVID-19. All over the world , humans abandoned their mystifying daily exoduses to places unknown and stayed home 24/7 – sometimes for months on end. Dogs were ecstatic. It didn’t matter that their people just sat about in soft clothing watching TV, or baking things, or writhing about, doing strange exercises.
The downside, of course, is that with lockdowns seemingly coming to an end, and many people back at work, there are even more lonely dogs wondering what happened to the good times. “Imagine being an alien from another planet,” says Quain. “The people looking after you don’t speak your language and have a different biology, yet lead you to believe they’ll [be with you] 24/7. Then the rules just suddenly change.
Instead, she suggests trying to negotiate more flexible working hours, or working as much as possible from home, or – where it’s permitted – taking your grieving pooch to work with you at least once a week. Failing any of that, she recommends getting advice from a vet or trainer.