Separation Anxiety

So i think we've decided (after some online research) that Tinker has separation anxiety. I can't completely rule out UTI without testing done, but her behavior is almost identical to when charli fostered her. (and i can get the testing done if need be...)

The good thing about separation anxiety is that it can be treated behaviorally. (it can also be treated with medication but i don't feel that is an option for us.)
So here are a few things we're going to be working on:
1) only leave your dog for very short intervals and come back before the anxiety sets in. Slowly move it from 30 sec to 1 minute to 5 minutes, etc. After 1 hour, supposedly the times can be substantially lengthened
2) when you leave and come back, dont make a big deal, do it quietly and without a fuss (i had the leaving part, but i love making big of her when we come back... oops)
3) desensitize your dog to sounds that trigger anxiety. for example if your dog associates your leaving with the jingle of your car keys, jangle them 10 times in a day until it not longer affects your dog.
4) While dogs are social creatures, create independence in your dog, let them know they are capable of doing things

The last one is the toughest because in some ways i love to baby her and while she's independent she is not as independent as a sighted dog. I have hope though. There are things we can work on. OH OH and leave a soft radio for her to help with the quiet (that actually seems to help.) We're also going to buy an x-pen for her so we're not making a big deal of when we leave (ie: setting the bathroom up) and then she has her own space wherever we go.

Thank you Charli for your kind words. This little girl is my pleasure in life and I just want her to live the rest of her days as happy as she can be. Whatever happens, the 3 of us with work through it as a team and of course, as a family.