Help! I have to leave my puppy alone tomorrow!

[DisneyJen0504]

Help!I have to leave my puppy alone tomorrow! I dont currently work, so she is usually only alone for a few hours a day when I need to run errands. When I need to leave the house, I gate her in our kitchen. There she has her crate, pee pad, food and water. She is used to the kitchen but still struggles with separation anxiety when I leave and barks and cries for a little while. The longest she has been alone is about 2 and half hours and even that long crushes me!
Tomorrow, I need to drive over an hour away to visit my grandma in the hospital and obviously cannot bring Chloe with me. I am anticipating being gone anywhere from 6-8 hours depending on the weather/traffic. I tried calling some friends, since my family will be with me visiting, but they arent able to help me out by coming to hang out with Chloe a little while, as it is pretty last minute. I am not close enough with any neighbors to have them stop in.
I recently started using Comfort Zone for dogs in the kitchen (not sure yet if it helps), I have a tshirt I wore a few times to put in her bed and I play music while I am gone. I am terribly worried at how she will handle being alone that long.
Help-is there anything else anyone can suggest? DH keeps telling me it is just one day that she will be alone this long but I feel awful!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She'll be ok. Remember to leave a light on if you think it will be dark before you get back. She'll probably sleep a lot.

The other thing you could try is a Pet Sitter. Check your Yellow Pages or even go to your local vets, there are usually business cards or brochures there.

Wish I was nearby, I'd love to have a puppy visit for the day! aw:

 

[MsDisney23]

She is so cute! If I where close to you, I would watch her for you. I understand how you feel. I am with Jamie alot andhate to leave her as well.

 

[sweet angel]

Hmmm, I'm in Jersey. Probably nowhere near you though. Wait til you decide to take a vacation -- that's pure torture!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

She's a doll. I wish I was closer - I'm come check in on her.

You could leave the radio or television turned on to comfort her. Other than that I think you have everything covered. I know it's hard to leave and there is tremendous guilt when doing so, but I'm sure she'll do just fine.

I remember the first time we left Diesel. He was crated and cried so loudly. We warned our neighbors of the noise in case they heard him, it was his first time alone without us.

 

[ItsonlyExperiment626]

Leave your pillowcase and some other clothing which you have worn in her crate so she will have something with your scent snuggle up to. Make it up like a nest and leave the radio or TV on. Another idea is to leave a picture of yourself somewhere where she can see it. She will be alright, but they sure do know how to pull on your heart string.