Dog who misses doggy daycare checks herself in [Video]

• Gem, a five-year-old shepherd-cross, had been a regular guest at the Happy Tails Pet Resort & Spa in Winnipeg.
• But because the pandemic forced many people to work from home, many dogs, like Gem, visited the doggy daycare less frequently.
• Gem missed the pet resort so much that she escaped her fenced yard, walked five blocks, and checked herself in!

The Happy Tails Pet Resort & Spa in Winnipeg was doing business as usual last year when a staffer was surprised to encounter a dog with no owner. Gem, a five-year-old shepherd-cross, had decided to check herself into the doggy daycare!

It was around 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday when the employee spotted a dog crossing the gate. They waited for a few moments for the dog’s owner, but the dog remained alone.

The pet resort co-owner, Shawn Bennett, recalled, “They were looking in the parking lot and saying, ‘Where’s your parents?’”

Gem’s parents didn’t show up, so the employee decided to just let her in. And she was so excited to be inside that her tail couldn’t stop wagging wildly!

It turns out that Gem was already a frequent guest at the resort. She used to come more often but after the pandemic hit, her family had to reduce her visits.

But the outgoing pupy clearly missed the doggy daycare too much!

The staff member contacted Gem’s parents, who were surprised to learn that their dog had escaped. She was able to get out of her fenced yard and walk the five blocks to the pet resort.

Still, Gem’s family wasn’t surprised that she went to the resort, so they allowed her to stay there for the day.

Shawn shared that they lovingly call the resort “Disneyland for dogs” since their guests love hanging out and playing there with their best friends.

Like Gem, many of their guests had been visiting less frequently now that most of their owners are working from home.

Shawn noted that the pandemic has drastically changed the lives and routines of people and pets alike: “Dogs that are used to coming to us every day or 3-4 times a week are not coming because their parents are home.”

He recommends making a routine schedule for pets that will allow for a gradual transition when owners come back to work, and to also watch out for separation anxiety.

Source: CTV News