My Dog Oscar was very much my husbands dog, he died recently, how will my dog grieve ,?

Answer 1

The manner your dog will grieve in depends on Oscar's personality and his attachment to you. Dog's exhibit many of the same symptoms that people will and can grieve for months.

Oscar may become very depressed, lethargic and not act like his normal self. You may see him looking for your husband at certain times when your husband would have come in or when they would have done something together.

If you want to help Oscar get through this, I would recommend first just giving him extra attention and then work on finding an activity that you and he can do. Something Oscar enjoys or maybe even try something a little different. But keep in mind, he could grieve for a few months. This is a great opportunity for the two of you to bond and support each other through the grief process. Also keep in mind that animals are very sensitive and perceptive, so he will also pick-up on your emotions.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Best of luck to you and Oscar.

Answer 2

First I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. How tragic! Your dog will grieve much in the same way you do. The main difference is he does not understand what has happened. He knows your husband is gone, but probably thinks he will be coming back. I bet he watches the door anticpating your husband's return. Spend more time walking the dog, cuddling with the dog, playing with the dog. It will be good therapy for you. Your dog will lean on you because you are the only one there. Make sure the dog is eating enough, because they can get so depressed they do not want to eat. Again, I am so sorry for your loss!

There was a true story about a train conductor and his dog. Every time the conductor went to work, the dog went with him to the train station and waited there for his master to return. One day the conductor died and never came back. The dog waited there for his master who never returned. That's where the dog died.

This is a similar story, but not the one I was referring to. It shows the faithful nature of a dog and its master. Maybe the story got told different ways. I just always thought it was interesting.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MTFTBshep.html

Answer 3

I'm so sorry for your loss. Oscar will probably go off his food a bit and will lose interest in things that he used to enjoy, maybe going for walks and/or playing. He may also howl occasionally. Try to ensure he has plenty of company and make a lot of fuss of him. Whilst he won't understand what has happened, as well as missing your husband he will also react to you grieving. The more upset and depressed you become the more confusing life will be for Oscar. Good luck to you both.

Answer 4

Your dog will grieve in his own way, he probably will want to snuggle on your husbands clothes or anything that will smell of him. He will pine for a while but with lots of love and attention he will get better. Dogs are quite resilient. But im more interested to know why your more worried about his dog than yourself. You need to grieve too! I hope you can both get some piece of mind by comforting each other. x x x mariska

Answer 5

I have heard of animals grieving themselves to death. I hope this is not the case with Oscar. My father's blue-heeler LaCota follows his every step and when he was in the hospital he stayed at the back door and wouldn't eat until Daddy came home. That is true loyalty when they bond to one person like that. Maybe you could try doing some of the things your husband did with him and that would help or if you have a son or brother maybe they could.

Answer 6

I am a bit confused whether it was your husband or his dog that died, either way I am very sorry for your loss, your dog will grieve, he will generally be depressed, may try and look for his companion, and could go off his food, I know a dog thats behaviour changed radically after his owner died, she became, nervous and aggressive to any strangers, time will tell how the dog will cope.
I hope you are coping ok too
xxxxxxxxx

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your loss. Oscar will more than likely sleep more and not eat his food as much or not at all. Just spend time with him and take him out to do new and different things. This should help Oscar and yourself in the long run. Again sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

I recently took a trip for 6 days (and it was the first time I ever left my Lucy) and my roomate stayed home with Lucy (mini dachshund) and she would cry at my bedside and then pooped in her own bed for the first time EVER!!! When she called to tell me I thought she was sick or something so I called the vet but he said she is just letting you know that she knows you are gone and is not happy about it!! and that was her way of telling us. Your dog will find a way to express himself so look out for any signs and give him lots of love... you can be there for eachother.

Answer 9

some of the answers you got are a bit daft ..but some are good . . dogs do grieve..having had dogs most of our lives we have seen how they react ..it will take a bit of time but ..he will turn all of his affection to you .. in our dogs when we lost one of our dogs ..the other one left changed his eating pattern and diet and never went back to his old ways your dog may become very protective of you good luck and take care

Answer 10

I'm very sorry about the loss of your pet. If you have other dogs, they may not want to get up for a while. One of my dogs passed five years ago, and his great grandaughter, who is still live and well, slept more than normal, and didn't want to play for a while. We got another dog months later, and they both live together now. Your pets will recover, it takes time for them to realize that they aren't coming back.
Best of Luck