dog depression

Question
Hi my name is Kristina, and I am a student at Florida State University.  I am currently a sophomore, and I have a question about what to do to help my dog.  My dogs name is Pepper and she has been a family pet for about 8 years now, although she mainly follows me around and sleeps in my bed and all, but when I went off to college last year I was in a dorm not allowing dogs, so she had to stay at home, and I missed her and my mom said she began to act strange after I left, now this year I live in an apartment and I wanted my dog because I missed not having her with me all the time, but my family would not let me take her and decided I should get my own dog, because Pepper was the family dog and not mine, so I got a puppy named Layla, and have her at college with me.  The two dogs got along fine and after I left my mom said that Pepper wont do anything anymore, she just lays around and won't even play ball and run around like she used to, I don't know what to do and I feel so bad and want to do anything to help her.  I suggested to my mom that I could bring her up here for a month or so also with Layla but she said it would be to hard on her seperating again afterwards.  Please let me know anything I could do to help the situation and help my dog become her old self again.

Answer
Hello. I read your situation and although dogs can get sad when someone goes away, i am thinking that the dog is just getting older and changing a bit in its personality. I believe as long as your parents are taking care of the dog, that she will be ok. Dont worry about it...do what you are doing and just show Pepper you will be back every now and then.
nancy