You know it’s back-to-school season in Bend when the yellow buses appear, the mornings feel crisp, and you can’t find a parking spot at Trader Joe’s because everyone’s stocking up on lunch snacks. While you’re wrangling backpacks, packed lunches, and new schedules, your pets are also feeling the shift—and sometimes, they’re not too thrilled about it.

At High Desert Veterinary, we know pets thrive on routine. Summer often means extra walks, more ball tosses, backyard adventures, and the occasional ice cream run where they “accidentally” get a lick. When that suddenly disappears, your pets might wonder, Hey…where’d everybody go? That change in rhythm can bring stress, boredom, and even health changes.