We had to put my dog down yesterday, she was suffering from an incurable illness, now my other dog is grieving. They were together 5 years and were best friends. Is there anything I can do to help him? How long should this go on?
2007-08-11 14:32:39 · 12 answers · asked by Hair Goddess 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When we lost our German Shepherd dog Max, our 2nd dog Ginger grieved along with us. We kept her schedule, walking brushing, bathing, feeding times, etc. We had just adopted a third dog (we have a three-dog limit). Ginger mothered the younger one like Max mothered her, and her grieving came out in the weirdest way. She went to the door the day that Max passed, and her squeally high-pitched bark turned to a low gruff bark and we both thought "Max?" but it just happened that her voice changed then and she was staring at the door when she barked and no one was there.
Also, Max liked stuffed animals for humans and was very gentle with them. She had these two huge stuffed animals and at the end stages of her illness, she would lay on them underneath a large ceiling to floor window. Ginger never cared for them. We stacked them in the bedroom and then kept finding them under the window in the living room and wondered why the other (of us humans) kept putting them out there. Finally, after a few weeks of this, one said to the other "Why are you putting those pillows back out there?" That is when we realized neither of us was doing it but how did they get back out there? Then about a day later, we saw Ginger dragging them back out and I kid you not, she set them under the window. Didn't play with them, I guess she felt Max around and felt Max wanted them. Animals do grieve! It was HARD, losing her! But we all did fine and the hurt turned to warm memories that we still share today. I see Max in Ginger as she has mothered our third dog. About 2 yrs later, we ended up with a bottle feeding pup (foster rescue) and that one stayed on with us. So we are back to a three ring circus. The grief will pass. Try googling "The Rainbow Bridge" which has lots of support in the form of chat, messaging, writing, poetry etc to aid with grief.
2007-08-11 15:02:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
I lost one ( Desire) in June of this year & I have a male & female out of my girl Desire.
Losing her did not seem to bother the male, but the female grieved for a week to ten days. I just tried to show her more attention & love. I also washed the dog beds & anything that may have had Desire's scent on it. She is eight years old & had been with her mother her entire life. My heart broke to see her so sad.
Is this dog that is grieving now the only dog in the home? If so I think in a couple weeks I would get her another friend.
I wish you & your girl all the best!!!
2007-08-12 03:30:57 · answer #2 · answered by ® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog grieved for months. She was 10 years old and our five year old dog died suddenly.She quit eating and would only sleep facing the wall all day and night. We actually got another puppy after about three months of her not coming out of it and it actually helped. It gave her a distraction. I don't always suggest this but it did work for my dog. Sorry about your loss. Blessings!
2007-08-11 15:06:06 · answer #3 · answered by live*laugh*love 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can get a nother dog thats how we had to because we put our dog who was a Yourkie terrior and now we have a maltese who is 2 years old named Toby. We waited about 5 or maybe 4 years to get a nother dog!!!!!
2007-08-11 14:56:29 · answer #4 · answered by Whitesoxfan4life2002 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's only yesturday that he/she lost his best mate. I would imagine it would take some time to learn to live without that sort of company. I am very sorry for your loss. I wish you and your other dog well.
2007-08-11 14:41:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
dogs grieve just like we do...it is only natural. extra affection and love always help. i agree with the stuffed animal thing someone else put on you answers too! eventually the void will fill in with daily life adn things will go back to normal!
good luck...
2007-08-11 14:59:13 · answer #6 · answered by Kerry B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't have an answer for you. I just want to express my condolences. Losing a beloved pet is truly like losing a family member.
2007-08-11 14:43:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sorry for your loss. I lost a dog last year and my other two were so miserable, they even knew how upset I was and they would console me as much as i consoled them. It took a few weeks for my dogs.
Just give him lots of love, they know what happened, through your emotions, he Just needs you now as much as you need him.
Again sorry for your loss
2007-08-11 14:37:55 · answer #8 · answered by ♫♪Sasha Woo Woo♫♪ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i am sorry for your loss, i have too lost a dog, i would suggest just like the others, make him feel special, maybe if you are not ready for another dog, just give your greiving dog lots and lots of attention
Best wishes
2007-08-11 14:56:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get him a very soft stuffed animal and put it where he sleeps....he will begin to bond to it. Also make sure you hold him and walk him frequently so he knows he is special.
2007-08-11 14:41:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋