My wife and I have a papillon dog aged 2 years. He is very much our dog and spoiled to say the least. We are soon to go on holiday and we are concerned that he will pine for two weeks. My children aged 18, 17 and 16 will be remaining at home with the dog but although they are well intentioned, I think they will only go through the basics of looking after him. Is he likely to suffer psychologically when we are away (2 weeks) or are we worrying about nothing. We hope that he will quickly adapt when we are away and the children do like him but they don't share our adoration. He has us wrapped round his little paws. I would welcome any advice or reassurance. Please E mail craig264@hotmail.com

I think you will find he will cope very well. As long as he is in secure surroundings and with people he knows he will be fine. He might make you suffer when you get back by ignoring you for a time and sulking but really he will be ok.

Try and make sure that you do leave him for periods before you go away, even just for a couple of hours so that he is used to being without you, and knows that you do come back to him, and difficult though it may be, try to leave him without making too much fuss, just going as if you are just going out to the shops as normal.

Make sure before you go that your children know what to do if he is ill, maybe arrange a dog owning friend that they can go to if they need advice, and possibly mention to your vet practice that any bills will be met when you return so that your children are not worrying about the cost of taking him to the vet if they need to. Having done all this, leave (without fuss as I mentioned before) and HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY.

Joan