Where is Bill?

I just got back from spending the weekend at my in-law’s house up in the Bay Area. When we arrived on Friday night, we were happily greeted by my mother and father-in-law. Lama was in heaven; he’s totally in love with my father-in-law, Bill. Bill plays with Lama, talks to him about the stock market, and even uses his fancy massage-therapy skills on him while they watch Mad Money together.

Saturday was an interesting day–Bill left for his 50th year high school reunion at around 9:00 in the morning, and he wouldn’t be back until the following day. My husband and his mother left for a family birthday party around 9:30 a.m., and then I left for a friend’s bridal shower at about 11:30 a.m. By the time I left, I could tell that Lama was uneasy about everyone leaving. I felt bad, but what can you do? Isn’t it true that dogs have no sense of time? Well, that’s what I was hoping…

I got home around 5:00 in the evening, and Lama was so happy to see me! He jumped all over me, and then we went for a nice walk. Around 6:00 p.m. my husband and his mom came home–Lama was even more excited that the family unit was coming back together! After a while, he didn’t seem so excited, and he just sat by the front window. We could all see it on his face, he was wondering, “Where is Bill?”

I tried to explain to him that Bill went to a party that was far away, so he was spending the night, but Lama didn’t seem to understand. After he got tired of waiting by the front of the house, he headed into Bill’s office where they usually check their stocks together. He slept in there for a bit before making the rounds back to the front of the house just to make sure he didn’t miss Bill’s arrival.

This morning we had to leave early, and Bill hadn’t yet returned home. Even now that we’re back home Lama continues to seem out of sorts. I wonder how long this is going to go on. My mother in-law suggested we tape a picture of Bill to the inside of Lama’s house to ease the longing. I may do that.