How did I become a bad dog mother?

First off I am pretty mad right now. I am mad at me, Lou and some anonymous neighbor.

Like most newly wed couples Jerry and I got a dog. Lou, the cute little Jack Russel. Who is extremely smart and not too crazy. She came everywhere with us and we made a point of getting her out. She loved her dog bed and her blankets.

Then we had kids. The lamest excuse out there for being a bad dog owner. I am sad thinking about how Lou's quality of life had diminished because of me. We took out the dog door, because James was starting to crawl through it. I took away her walks because I was pushing a stroller. I took away her blankets because she shreds them. I still discipline her the same. She will always have to sit on her bed when we are eating and she can't jump up on your lap unless she is invited.

Lou has been extra nutty lately and I know she is bored. I don't need to talk to the dog whisperer to figure that out. I don't want to get another dog to keep her company. That would make be the bad dog parent to two dogs. I need to fit in walks and and activities with her and the kids. Oh boy one more thing to do. I don't want get rid of her. Because we really do love Lou and we would miss her.

Here is where the neighbor comes in. Yesterday was a drive Jerry to SLO day. This morning when I was going to get the mail there was a note from the "neighbors" (I don't know which ones). It was stating that every time we leave our dog barks and it is unbearable. This leaves my heart beating faster because there are so many holes here and now I have to go find out what they mean. Every time, even when I run to the store, or are evenings worse, or is it just when she is cold, or just on the rare occasion that we actually leave for a whole day. Which we have had a few days lately where we have been gone, but actually we are home more than we are gone. Stupid anonymous notes.