Sad Dog

Russ has been in Australia all week. His being away is nothing new. As a consultant he is often away working, but this week is different. Not different for me, or for Carter, who is consumed with exam prep and basketball. The one in our house who seems most out of sorts with Russ so far away is Shay Shay.  
She has taken to sitting alone in rooms Russ might be in, like his office or sitting on a chair alone in the dark living room just in case he comes in the front door or the garage so she would not miss him. She listens for the garage door to open and is despondent that it has not produced him for a week. It is not that he has been away for so long, but somehow I feel like Shay knows he is so far away.  
Today Shay was sitting snuggled next me me as I was scrolling through photos on my iPad. She did not appear to be watching the screen, but when a big picture of Russ’ face flashed up on the screen she picked her head up and looked at it and made a tiny crying sound.
Right now she is lying next to me facing the door, most certainly hoping that he will walk right through it. If anyone does not believe that a dog has a broad range of emotions and loves as deeply as any human, never actually knew a dog.  
I love Shay Shay, and while I know she loves me I also know she does not adore and worship me the way she does Russ. I wish that she could read a calendar and understand that he is absolutely coming home to her in a couple of days. It breaks my heart to see her moping around with the tragic look of someone who has just lost their puppy. Ironic isn’t it. I wonder if in the dog world they say, “You look like you just lost your human”?
For now she will just have to do with me and Carter. We aren’t so bad, but hey, I understand, we just ain’t Russ. I guess I agree with her. There is no replacement.