Question regarding separation....

[confused]

My GF and I have two dogs, one mix and one chi. They are both a year and a half and grew up together. They have never fought and get along exceptionally well. Both dogs see me as the leader and the chihuahua definitely looks up to me (I did the training and give food, take him for walks, etc).

I may be moving out of the house soon (relationship reasons) and while I would like to take both dogs, I am afraid this may not happen for two reasons. Firstly, he is technically my girlfriends and secondly, between work and school, I am afraid I wont be able to care for two dogs properly.

I am reasonably certain that this will be an extremely difficult transition for the chihuahua which really pains me. I am afraid that he will become very bitter and sad and not the little friendly dog he is now. (As strange as this may seem, parting from him is harder for me than parting with my gf.)

Is there any way I can help transition him to the loss of both me and my other dog? Is there anything i can teach my gf to do to help him through this?
Will it be easier for him with a cold-turkey approach or perhaps a more regulated approach? Will it be harder for him if I see him in a few months?

Any advice is greatly appreaciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Dixie_Amazon]

Sorry you are having to go through this. I really don't know what to say. I know dogs that have adjusted to owner leaving for college and having to stay behind with their parents.

[veguroev]

You are such a nice guy!! Not everybody thinks of their pets when a relationship ends the way you are thinking about yours. That says a lot about you:) I'm sorry that you are going trough this. Can you keep the Chi on your days off? maybe that can help him some sort of split custody???