One of my dogs (Digger) died yesterday morning and I think that my other dogs are grieving. Digger was run over and my other two dogs saw her body. My boy dog sort of looked at Diggers body then turned away but my girl dog (who was also Diggers mother) sniffed her body as to see why she was not waking up.
I don't think that my girl dog remembers that shes Diggers mother but since it happened both my dogs haven't been themselves. They're heads are always looking towards the ground and they don't seem happy.
Do you think that my dogs are grieving for Digger?
2007-09-13 01:43:41 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, animals raised together greive. Just give her time to adjust as you would a human. When Queen, a family friends female Red Chow died of old age, her life time mate, about 16 years old then, would wander up and down the dirt roads of the farm looking for her. He had a few restless nights, but when a puppy came to stay with us later on, he was happier. He would stand over their bowls looking at me as though I needed to put food in Queen's dish too. I took it away and put it on top of a storage shed. He saw me, and sat underneth for a long time. He looked for her every time the mail carrier, a passing police car, or milk tanker came. We lived rural on a very off the beaten path. After time, I gave him back the dish, because he wouldn't eat. He put it in the shed where he slept, and until he died, two years later, it stayed there. Yes, they realize when other animals are not there, and miss people too.
2007-09-13 02:17:41 · answer #1 · answered by sj w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The loss of Digger has altered the pack, and that will effect the emotions of the other two dogs. Give them time to get back to normal.
2007-09-13 01:55:53 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel-Pit Police-DSMG 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh absolutly! They have emotions and grieve the same way we do. They have memories too. I think the mama knows it was her baby.
I think dogs can feel remorse and saddness and even anger.
My GSD grieved for our other dog when he died. Wolf didn't eat right for a few days and he slept on racoons bed(even though it was way too small for him. Dogs areemotional, it will take a while to heal then they should be back ot normal.
sorry about your loss.
2007-09-13 04:34:37 · answer #3 · answered by j_lynn_griff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, They grieve just as we do. They see that diggers not around and that something has happened. It'll take time for them. Console them and give them more attention than usuall. Especially to have him taken from you in such a horrible way.
My heart goes out to you and your other dogs.
God Bless
2007-09-13 01:59:06 · answer #4 · answered by Virginia B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, dogs do grieve. The understand death and can be very sad too when they've lost a friend. Try to show them a little more attention and let them know that you are sad too.
2007-09-13 01:52:04 · answer #5 · answered by katysru19 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! I'm really sorry for your loss! Dog's are pack animals, and one of the pack is no longer there. It's very normal for them to get depressed and grieve for the other dog.
2007-09-13 02:22:10 · answer #6 · answered by Chihuahua Addict Adores Scooby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
**HUGS** Don't forget to grieve with them. Go do something special together.
Our dog not only grieved his last family when he first came to us but he knows who left and looks for them when someone comes home. He really doesn't like it when three leave and one comes home!
He also worries when someone is sick and tries to ask about people that aren't there like they should be. I was recently in the hospital for four days (C-section birth so it was all good) and my older daughter and husband told me how he was trying to ask where I was.
2007-09-13 16:36:00 · answer #7 · answered by toonew2two 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes dogs do grieve in the same way we do and it can take a while for them to get over it the best way to hand this is to keep everything as normal as possible for them but if i was you i would not let them off their leads for a couple of weeks as they can be unpredictable at this time.
i lost my collie a year ago and my gsd who was only a year then still looks for her in the mornings not as often as she did so its getting better
all i can say is give them and yourself time to grieve and ignore people that say you shouldnt
tracey
2007-09-13 01:57:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! One year ago in June, my boxer witnessed my neighbor brutally shoot and kill my beagle mix. For months she would lay in the upstairs bedroom and look out the window across the field looking for her friend. She would cry and was scared to be outside without someone right there with her. It's been over a year now and she's very protective and clings to the cats I have, both in the house and my one barn cat. All animals build relationships with each other, and other species, including humans. Love your animals a little more and they will respond. Depression hurts them too. God Bless.........
2007-09-13 02:05:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes dogs can grieve . and they do so for quite a while . I am sorry for digger and you and the other dogs .
2007-09-13 01:50:35 · answer #10 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋