FREE places to go to avoid seperation anxiety??

I have now been off for 4 weeks and 2 days. The first two weeks I was good and went out during the day so Odin wouldn't get SA from me being home a lot. Well, last night we went to get him some treats for his training class that is tonight, and we got some food out. Archie stayed outside the store while I went in and ordered. Aparently Odin whined the whole time for me!! Grrr....

Well...I haven't been so good lately, because I have NO $$$. I think being home so much has not been good. I love spending time with him, but I don't want him to have issues when I start working again.

I have gas in the car, so at least I can drive somewhere. I don't want to go to the mall and just walk around, as that would be depressing having no cash, and I don't want to be tempted to use my Visa.

Any ideas on what I can do during the day that is FREE in the GTA? I wanted to go to Allen Gardens, but parking is too expensive down there (if they had free parking, I would go in a second!). Somewhere I can go an occupy myself without spending money? I was thinking of going to the airport and just watching people for fun...but parking there is expensive too...

How about going for a walk? Or a bike?

Don't have a bike...and it's too early for rollerblades. I have been for Many walks already...getting sick of that.

Aparently Odin whined the whole time for me!! Grrr

I think this is a very different situation than when Odin is safe and home and sees you leave.

My dog gets a bit anxious too under similar circumstances, but is perfectly fine alone at home.

My last dog did the same thing, even if my husband was holding his leash, if I went off into a store or into someone's house during a walk or if my husband left. It's like he wanted all of us together on our walks. He was also fine home alone.

What about volunteering somewhere? Meals on Wheels usually need people to help deliver for them during the day. Or advertising your services as a dogwalker?

Try the Toronto Tourism Board. They should have some suggestions.

There are lots of things to do for free - go to the library (they often have activies like lectures, films, etc and if that sort of thing happens here for sure it occurs in GTA :) ), walk, visit a park, if you do outdoor sports - find a pond to ice skate on or sledding. Check your newspaper to see what's going on in the community. Universities often have speakers. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen or a women's shelter or better yet, a children's hospital! (Mind you, at our C's hospital, we have a waiting list of ppl seeking to volunteer - once at the airport, the security person saw my ID card (I had forgot my passport and since it was just a flight in the Maritimes, used my hospital ID card as a picture) and she asked me how she could volunteer at the hospital. But you could check out Sick Kids. Volunteer at the SPCA or other recsues. There is LOTS to do for free. :) Have fun!!

I don't know where you live, but I think the THS may need volunteers.
Or if there are any elderly or disabled people in your neighborhood, you can offer to do errands for them! :)

Raingirl. My dog does the same thing when anyone of us goes into a store. I often take my stepdaughter (9) out for the weekend walks with me and she will go into the coffee shop to get my tea and a hot chocolate for her and he will leap and cry. I have gotten him not sit but he still cries and cries until she comes out. I often tie him up at the tree outside of the store with my SD and she will pet him and talk to him but he will be trying to look in all the windows and cry for me. Otherwise he doesn't have a problem when we go to work or anything like that. I don't think you should worryto much as I believe its a matter of wanting to know where a peice of his/her pack is.

If my wife and I are together and one of us leaves and the other stays Gabby whines a little bit. But, because we both work, she stays at home by herself during the week and seems to do just fine...she hasn't shown any SA signs. We have a dog walker come 3 days per week, but it is still a lot of time alone.

Raingirl - volunteering will get your outta the house, and will help you not focus on Odin while you are out. there are tons of palces that need volunteers all the time.

I have to point this one out, cuz i read it and laughed
CyberKittenfind a pond to ice skate on or sledding - you showed where you were from just by your post. It's been over freezing (high has been about +4 ) for a few days now... any ice that is left, is floating, not safe.
Though, I would LOVE to have your weather still, I like winter better.

Nathan Phillips Square was still skatable last week if you wanted to go skating. (If you are close at all)

you guys are further north than I am.
I'm down near Windsor/Detroit.. there is not skateable ice here, even lil ponds are unsafe now.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately, most of those things are downtown, and I was trying to avoid the downtown core, as parking is expensive, and the go train is $12 I don't have.

I actually skate a lot in downtown brampton, but I'm a little sick of that as well. PLus..its been so warm, the ice is super slippery, and it's my first season with hockey skates and I don't want to fall and break my neck!! I wish one of the local parks and rec had public skating during the day, but they don't.

I was thinking about volunteering, but I can't make a long term commitment, as I could be called into work with less than 24 hours notice. I called the local animal shelter, and asked if they need dog walkers, but they said they didn't. I also don't know any elderly people in the area so can't help there.

I went to the library once. It was nice. I looked for a while. I'm REALLY bad with library books though. I always forget to take them back.

I was thinking more in the way of attractions. Like indoor gardens, free conventions. I checked the tourism ontario website and aparently the maple festival is on now at Bronte Creek Provincial park, but it has an admission fee...

LOL! It's too bad we didn't live in the same community! I would let you come to my house and babysit my dog!!!!! He can't be left home alone because he gets so upset! I know I could change that behaviour but I love taking him with me everywhere! I miss him when we are apart :sad: !! I don't know who has SA more......my dog or me!!!

I was going to suggest the library or a mall. I sure know what it's like to be in a mall and have no money!!! I love the library although I never go!! They just have so much information to take advantage of!!!