Does my dog remember?

Question

I got my dog Oreo when I lived in Alabama. Then I moved to Tennessee, and my grandmother came to live with us. My dog immediately bonded to my grandmother (and was beginning to like her more than she liked me), then my grandmother died of cancer last June. I don't know if my dog actually understood what was going on, but when the paramedics came in the house to get my grandmother, my dog was very protective, and I had to take her in my bedroom and close the door. Then my grandmother didn't come home (because she passed), but my dog would still go into her bedroom to look for her. One day, my brother said "Wanna go see grandma?" to my dog, and my dog got really excited and ran straight to my grandmother's room. I scolded him not to do that anymore. My dog was sad when my grandmother first passed, and would go my grandma's room and lay in her bed or by her rocking chair. Now, she doesn't do that, but I wonder if she still remembers her? What do you think?

***By the question I meant "Does my dog still remember my grandmother (since it has been 1 Year and 1 Month since my grandmother passed)I wasn't asking do dogs have the capacity to remember, thanx ***

Answer 1

Yes, I think animals, especially dogs remember....and I think even grieve when someone they love passes........dogs are very faithful and they remember particular scents connected with each person they encounter, but they also have a memory of people who treated them well and with whom they have bonded. Do you ever notice that when you get hurt..your dog always runs over to you to see if you are alright? They love you and consider you part of their pack.....unconditionally. That story was great and a loving testimony to the deep relationships we humans have with our dogs. Thanks for sharing........... DOGS RULE.

Answer 2

A definite YES. Dogs do remember. Like one other person said, if your G'maw came back the dog would remember her I am sure of it. I have had several dogs in my life time, one special dog back in November died after I had her for 11 years. She was very smart and remembered so much.

Currently I have a chihuahua and not only is she very smart and remembers people, she is very sensitive and has a lot of emotions.

Sorry for your loss, your dog should get better in time as long as people don't tease her like your brother did.

Answer 3

Oreo remembers. She understands what happened, she just misses granny. They bonded and Oreo misses her. Animals are very smart. They sense any human emotion and scent. Your grandmother's scent is disappearing which is probably why the dog doesn't go in there anymore.

Oreo will be ok. Give her one of your grandmother's towels, or something that smells like her. It will make her feel better.

Answer 4

Most dogs don't remember there own mothers because they are too young when they leave but your dog probably does remember your grandmother because it was old enough to remember. That's why Oreo got excited when your brother said grandma

Answer 5

Maybe your grandmother is still there? I don't know what your beliefs are, but nothing is impossible. Your dog can probably still smell her. I am sure you have some of her stuff around, probably in that same room. My dog will want things it can't see, we hide her toys so she can go find them. I know dogs remember, my boyfriend gave away one of my puppies, and 6 months later the people gave him back because they couldn't handle it. We went to pick him up, and he started barking like crazy. I stuck my hand out so he could smell me, and he went NUTS. He kissed me all over and jumped into my arms. Trust me, dogs do remember.

Answer 6

Absolutely -- I ran into my ex-girlfriend's dog three years after we broke up and he went nuts...my girlfriend and her dog lived with me and my dog for a year. Also...years ago, my Father and I moved into an apartment complex in my hometown. We had a Fox Terrier and lived in the apartment for about two years. My Father passed away and I graduated from school and moved several hundred miles away. I was dating someone from my old hometown and she moved into the complex where my Father and I lived. I went back to visit her and the dog got out of the car a dragged me to our old apartment door. She (the Dog) was very depressed everytime I pulled her away and went to my girlfriend's apartment. When we would leave, she would plaster herself to the window as we drove off looking back at the aparmtent where she had lived.

Answer 7

I think that your dog would still remember her. I think that you need to get your dog to do other things with other people so that he doesn't have so much time grieving about your grandma when he could be enjoying other people. Also, make sure he is socializing with other animals. But also make sure he has a little time to himself to remember about your grandma. Sorry about your grandma!!!

Answer 8

I think animals are alot more intelligent than we humans give them credit for. I also believe that they have emotions and yes your dog probably misses your grandmother and is sad. Give her lots of love and maybe the two of you can share your grief. Can't hurt.

Answer 9

She is probably just healing and getting over the loss. If your grandma were to come back your dog would remember her...they never forget! So sorry for your (and your dog's) loss.

Answer 10

Yes, Oreo remembers. Dogs are smarter than most people I know.