I know that there are a lot of people who think dogs don't have 'real feelings' or emotions.  But I think they do.  Here's my case...

When ever I leave for ANY amount of time and my son or Brad is home with Apollo ( my son is NEVER left home alone for more than an hour ) they always call me and tell me that he sits by the door for like an hour to an hour and a half.  Then, once that time has passed he'll go into his crate and sulk.  My son says he tries to get him to play fetch, tug of war, etc.  but Apollo shows no interest.  Today I was gone for about 3.5 hours and I called to let Brad know I was on my way home.  I asked what the pups were doing... Emma was laying with Brad on the couch and Apollo was in his crate.  Brad said he tried to get Apollo to lay with them but he just sulked to his crate and stayed there.  When I came home ( APollo can hear the garage door ) Apollo was there at the door leading from the garage to the house ready to greet me.  Tail wagging like crazy and everything.  My concern is that I think Apollo gets REALLY depressed when I'm gone.  I can't understand why.  When the pups are left crated because no one is home I always leave KONGS or other 'busy' things for them to do in their crates.  I hate the thought of Apollo being soooo sad when I'm gone.  Even when someone is here, like I said he just sulks.  I'm with Apollo ( and Emma ) 99.9% of the day because I work from home so he is rarely crated or away from me.  And yes, if I can take him with me I will.  So he's used to going practically EVERYWHERE with me.  But sometimes I just CAN'T take him.  Does anyone have any thought or opinions on this?

Oh yeah... Emma isn't bothered by my absense.  Nothing fases this little girl! 

Awwwww, Jolene, that's sad, but oh so sweet, too.  He just totally LOVES you!

Thanks, ya'll. Apollo doesn't howl or bark or have destructive behavior or anything like that. Maybe I've just got him S-P-O-I-L-E-D!!!

Jolene, Apollo is just missing you.  He seems o.k. tho. Just some of these pups are more sensitive than others. When I'm gone during the day, Savanna is fine. However, once I get home, she can't get close enough to me. (my Mom lets the girls out during the day when I'm at work, Savvy just chases the cats or lays in the shade.)

When I leave Annie I try and sound very upbeat and not let her hear any guilt in my voice. It was pretty bad for a while until I started doing that. Ratties are very smart they know how to Manipulate us.

~ Jolene ~  Maybe you could still give Mario his Kong (or another special treat that he only gets when you leave) even when he's home with Brad or your son? If Apollo enjoys his Kong (or other goodies) when you are all gone, he would most likely still enjoy them even when just  you will be gone... and would spend his time with the Kong, instead of standing by the door? Since you work at home most of the time it sounds like Apollo hasn't experienced being left home "X" number of hours 5 days per week, like many dogs do.  My 2 just know that if we get up to the alarm clock then it's a "work day" and they know the routine of a work day. I always put my shoes on last before I leave the house, and as soon as they hear me walking in my shoes they both go to their crates without even being told (though they don't have doors on their crates)  and wait for their "goodbye cookie" they get every morning when I leave for work. I always talk to them in a really "cheery" voice and tell them I'm going to work so I can bring home the dog food & treats --   -- and that I'll see them soon! Dogs really have no real concept of time... if you've even noticed when you go to the mail box for 1 minute and come back in... they act like you've been gone for hours??  Mine just understand "weekend days" because all of us girlies LOVE to sleep in... and when there's no alarm to wake us up... then we all know it's fun time all day/all night long!