Will my dog forget me while Im at college?

Question
I have a blue Chihuahua named Balou and we are very close.  He is 3 years old and I have had him since he was 6 weeks old.  This fall I will be moving from Seattle to LA, to attend USC.  My mom will be taking care of him- and although he likes her very much, I am definitely his favorite.  He waits for me to come home, and gets really excited when I do.  He also gets kind of depressed when I leave on short trips.  My question is, do you think that my dog will forget about me while I am away at school even though I will probably visit every 4-5 months?  And am I being a cruel owner by leaving?  Will I break his heart and will he be depressed the whole time, or will he be able to move on without forgetting about me?

Answer
Dear Mo,
Thanks for the quesiton. I don't think your dog will forget you and I do think he will adapt. Dogs are very adaptable- that's one reason they have worked their way into the lives of many people in many different situations. Have fun at college!

AT
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