Jack, Re-dux
The last time I posted about Jack, he was neurotically chewing his tail and had just been put on Prozac. Well, he's calmed down a lot since then. We figured he was more than likely suffering from separation anxiety, so we let him start sleeping in our room at night with us like Sandy does. We had hesitated previously, because we were worried he'd try to get Sandy to play and keep us up half the night. But he actually settled in just fine. We do occasionally wake up to licks on the nose or some "please get up!" whining, but mostly we all sleep through the night. It's a relief not to have to wipe up blood off the walls all the time, although occasionally I do find some I missed. We were able to take him off the Prozac with no problem.
So now he's settled back into a routine. And even though he's calmer, we DO NOT deviate from the routine. There can be extra surprises thrown into the day, but nothing must be eliminated, or else it's chaos and anarchy with hell to pay.
Breakfast and potty first thing, of course. Then it's begging for everyone else's breakfast, then napping or pacing once the kids are at school. Napping if it's quiet outside, pacing if the lawn guy is mowing next door.
It's a thrill and a half if the day includes the volunteer fire department sirens going off, because Jack loves to howl along:
Both Jack and Sandy turn into the Hounds of Hell if the UPS guy dares to ring the doorbell. I think he's scared of the dogs; he pretty much just drops the package on the porch and runs now.
Around lunchtime it's another potty break, then begging me for my food. Then back to napping. Pacing starts again about the time the girls are due home from school. He watches for the bus. However, he barks like Freddy Krueger is busting through the door when the girls walk in.
Later is dinner and potty. His internal dinner clock goes off about 5:00 exactly. He will pace and whine and constantly try to catch your eye until the kibble finally hits the bowl. It's scarfed down in seconds, then it's time to beg us for our dinner.
The cat tends to come down in the evening; she spends her day either on Lauren or Becca's bed, under my bed, or on a chair in Chris's office while he works. Jack goes after her, she hides behind the end table and Jack plants himself, hoping he'll get the chance to chase her back upstairs. He usually does.
That's exhausting, so it's time for some snuggles as we all watch a little TV together.
There may be a walk in the evening if it's not too cold; otherwise there's a last potty at 9:00. If he goes out at 8:30, he MUST go out at 9:00 again or he will fret and carry on until you finally give in. It's best just to wait. The he FINALLY passes out for the evening. This is when the cat comes back downstairs and usually ends up curled up right next to Jack. Go figure. He doesn't even move when Chris comes downstairs to tell me good night. This is pretty much his position until he goes up to bed when I do:
Every single day. Lather, rinse, repeat. Do NOT deviate. And all will be calm and well.
So now he's settled back into a routine. And even though he's calmer, we DO NOT deviate from the routine. There can be extra surprises thrown into the day, but nothing must be eliminated, or else it's chaos and anarchy with hell to pay.
Breakfast and potty first thing, of course. Then it's begging for everyone else's breakfast, then napping or pacing once the kids are at school. Napping if it's quiet outside, pacing if the lawn guy is mowing next door.
It's a thrill and a half if the day includes the volunteer fire department sirens going off, because Jack loves to howl along:
Both Jack and Sandy turn into the Hounds of Hell if the UPS guy dares to ring the doorbell. I think he's scared of the dogs; he pretty much just drops the package on the porch and runs now.
Around lunchtime it's another potty break, then begging me for my food. Then back to napping. Pacing starts again about the time the girls are due home from school. He watches for the bus. However, he barks like Freddy Krueger is busting through the door when the girls walk in.
Later is dinner and potty. His internal dinner clock goes off about 5:00 exactly. He will pace and whine and constantly try to catch your eye until the kibble finally hits the bowl. It's scarfed down in seconds, then it's time to beg us for our dinner.
The cat tends to come down in the evening; she spends her day either on Lauren or Becca's bed, under my bed, or on a chair in Chris's office while he works. Jack goes after her, she hides behind the end table and Jack plants himself, hoping he'll get the chance to chase her back upstairs. He usually does.
That's exhausting, so it's time for some snuggles as we all watch a little TV together.
There may be a walk in the evening if it's not too cold; otherwise there's a last potty at 9:00. If he goes out at 8:30, he MUST go out at 9:00 again or he will fret and carry on until you finally give in. It's best just to wait. The he FINALLY passes out for the evening. This is when the cat comes back downstairs and usually ends up curled up right next to Jack. Go figure. He doesn't even move when Chris comes downstairs to tell me good night. This is pretty much his position until he goes up to bed when I do:
Every single day. Lather, rinse, repeat. Do NOT deviate. And all will be calm and well.