Did she Understand
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| this happened to me recently. I had 2 sibling cats, both were 18. One succumbed to years of renal failure right before Christmas. Her older sister was distant to me after that, withdrawn, and stayed in bed most of the time. Within a month, she also passed away from congestive heart failure. I originally had 3 cats, and with the remaining sibling so seemingly sad, and the younger cat seeming very nervous about what was going on, I went and adopted a new cat. I was doing a slow integration, so she had a room to herself at first, with a door between her and the other cats. Sadly, the remaining sibling cat never met her, as within a few days of getting our new cat, she was diagnosed with and died from congestive heart failure. At this point, I was left with one freaked out kitty from the three I had not 2 months earlier. She'd never been alone in 12 years, and now her cat-family was just gone. She was living out of th e closet, she wouldn't come out. So I threw care to the wind and let the new cat out of isolation, and gave her free run of the house. Its 6 weeks later now. things aren't the same, but they are better for my younger cat. The new cat actually has her running around the house and playing-- something she hasn't done in years. She's out of the closet, and back in bed... of course, I'msleeping in the guest room, as I can't bear to be in bed without my cats. So I suppose I'm the one that's lest "well adjusted" to the situation. |
| Dogs grieve when a pack member dies. Shane wouldn't eat for nearly a week and moped around for another week or two. It was heart wrenching. If the other dog was the dominate one, it takes time to learn to "be your own dog." Some dogs take a few weeks, others blossom immediately. Give her time. Talk gently, touch gently tell her how much you too miss the other one. She'll come around in about a week to 10 days. You have to be strong and show her life does go on and it can still be fun. I'm sorry about about the older dog.  |
| My dog mopes for as much as 3 or 4 days when my wife goes out of town (or even for the duration of any short trip out of the house). He is without joy in his life, ignores me, just lies in the spot where he waits for Mommy to come home. No coaxing or comforting works. Now that he is used to this, it doesn't last so long, but even as I write this and Joan is running some errands, he's in the spot, lying down, waiting. As long as she is drinking water and eating something I would just go about your business as much as you can, a little extra reassuring only occasionally. |
| Dexter did the same thing after I had to let go of Taylor. We knew it was coming because she was in renal failure and we were glad she lasted as long as she did. He moped around and didn't want to get out of bed for about 2 weeks. During that time I started to look at finding another pup. One week later we rescued Bella. He started playing again and now they are best buds even if Bella pounces and bounces him more than he likes. |
| some understand much more than most would imagine, but they all grieve at the loss of their family members. some for a little while and others for weeks. when i put my last sheepie to sleep, his younger brother, a lab/mix was very sharp. i figured he knew what was happening as big brother could no longer walk and the family was in tears.when i got back from the vets, my youngest daughter did not evidently hear me and retrieved the leash and collar from the car. she plopped that collar on the kitchen counter. nero got up on the counter with nose to that collar and let out almost a human scream. still haunts me like it was yesterday. but, as time went on, like all of us mourning, attitude improves and life goes on which is what those we've lost want. pashka will come around. |
Quote: nero got up on the counter with nose to that collar and let out almost a human scream. still haunts me like it was yesterday. Oh argh!!  Over the years we've learned to let the other dogs have their goodbyes. Originally we had to take the dog to the vet for the final deed and then bring him/her home, but as we've aged and our vet knows us better, she comes here to do the deed ..... and then helps us with the burial in the orchard. Anyway, the other dogs are kept away during the act, but before burial we allow then to sniff the deceased. I think they understand death a bit. The grieving seems to be less......maybe that's what I want to believe. |
| I remember reading a book written by a woman who spent years and years observing the pack of dogs she lived with she kept notes like it was a scientific endeavour. I'm sorry I can't for the life of me remember her or the book's name. She was adamant that dog's understand death and she described bring a dog's collar home after euthanasia for the pack to sniff and she believed they knew what had happened based on her observation of their behaviour and previous behaviour when a dog had died at home. I wish I had thought to do that after we lost our first dog to an emergency at the vets. It took quite a few weeks for our dalmatian, who had come as a puppy straight from his Mom to us, to stop acting all scared and upset. Good luck. |
| Prior to getting OES Winnie, I had a brother-sister pair of English Springer Spaniels. The male had copper storage disease (liver) and passed on when he was 9 (thanks to a great vet, we had two good years after the diagnosis). My female grieved for a couple of weeks, acting just as you describe your fur baby is acting now. She wouldn't eat, she seemed depressed. I gave her lots of love and attention and some special walks. She slowly started getting better and after a month of being the "only dog" she finally stopped grieving and we had a good full life together! So, some special attention and hugs, special walks, and time will (hopefully) help heal the wounds. Keep us posted! |
| We lost our 14 year old sheepie the day after Christmas this year. We believe she had a stroke and we took her to the vet to be put down. We took our 6 year old sheepie (Lizzy) with us as well as our two teenagers. It was a very sad family affair. Our Lizzy didn't eat a full meal for 10 days. she nibbled and sulked and had me so sad. I felt like I lost both my dogs. It was hard to watch. I tried to take her to her favorite spots for walks, we even went out for ice cream and one day through the drive through for a Mc Donald's Cheese Burger. (I NEVER DO THAT) Lizzy enjoyed all of the silly antics and she finally came around, but it took a couple weeks. Two weeks ago we brought home our new sheepie. He is 10 weeks and is cuddled asleep on the couch next to me as I type this. My Lizzy is so thrilled to have a new friend and they became fast buddies!! It's been fun to watch. Good luck with your pup. It will take time, but they do come around! |
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