YnotTurbo
Alpharetta Georgia
Senior Member
Joined: 04/20/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
I feel your pain. My dad passed away last year and his parrot knew something was not right. He and my dad where best friends for 28 years. I couldn't find anyway to make the bird talk like when my dad was alive. Luckily my dads girlfriend took him. He liked her so I felt good knowing he would be ok. Animals have feelings just like us.
Navy Chief
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie w/6.7 CTD, 6 speed auto, Factory Exhaust Brake.
2007 KZ 41CKS3 Montego Bay Sportster
2006 Kaw KDX 200
2008 Can AM Outlander Max 650
2006 Yam R6
2007 Suz GSXR 600
Golf cart
Real Trucks Don't have Sparkplugs!
|
MomziIIa
Charleston WV
New Member
Joined: 05/09/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I'm not so sure that dogs truly 'forget'. When working with rescued dogs, those who were abused by men never forgot it and often developed dislike of any male. Some are terrified of brooms... others of newspapers... and some develop quirks such as aggression to any man that wears a ball cap. They remember. They also seldom forget abuse - or kindness. I have a strong belief that their emotions and attachment to their 'pack' run deeper than we truly realize right now.
On the other hand, the pit bulls pulled from the horrid life with Michael Vick have been rehabilitated and are becoming exceptional dogs. It takes a patient and loving person who can be successful with behavior modification.
There have been several reports of dogs who lost their owners and returned daily to their grave sites, stayed by their passed master's body until it was found, and look for them to return home each day. I think of saving articles of clothing is an excellent idea.
Not all dogs - but those whose bond has been forged so deeply by a loving human. 10 years is a long time in a dogs life - I am sure your friend's dog will mourn his passing. But... like us... we grieve and move on. So it goes with many of the higher intelligent species of animals.
Here's hoping that your friends family - 2 and 4 legged alike - find peace and comfort, healing in time.
Barb and Jim
Rescued Border Collies, Loch and Shy
2008 32TS Cardinal TT
We don't tow - we stow! Leave the gas and truck $$ to someone else. 
|
corgi-traveler
Bakersfield, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
old guy wrote:sad as it sounds, dogs when rescued do adapt to new owners.
Many do. Some don't. Some dogs are "one-man" dogs, and not very open to having anyone else in their lives. Others, perhaps most, will gladly go home with anyone willing to give them a scratch behind the ears.
Samantha (the poster)
Tim, spouse and driver of the Corgi-Bus
Beth, Buddy, and Pippin - Pembroke Welsh Corgis
1988 Bounder Ford 460
|
CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/07/2003
View Profile
|
My friend's little dog was truly a "one man dog" and hates other dogs. She tolerated their cats until they passed away of old age. She's never been taken for regular walks because both her people were very disabled. It's the classic case of the scrappy little chi who never becomes socialized. She's Poquita's full sibling but Poquita has always been so mellow. I like to think we raised her right but maybe we just got lucky. I'm not counting on the poor little thing to recover from losing her daddy. She was his whole world and vice versa.
|
dturm
Munster, IN
Moderator
Joined: 01/29/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
Sorry for your loss, Judy. Unfortunately, I've seen this frequently in practice. The grieving is the same when another pet in the household dies. Some are affected more than others. While grief itself doesn't really kill these guys, if there is an underlying medical problem, the stress of the loss can cause major decompensation of the existing problem.
Susan gives great advice. I've found that exercise, special attention suffice in most cases. Addition of nutraceuticals, herbals or prescription meds can speed the recovery and ease the side effects of the stress.
Doug, DVM
Doug & Sandy
Megan (14 yr old Golden)
2008 Southwind
2001 Honda CRV
Check out blog.rv.net
|
|
|
sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/05/2004
View Profile
|
Our second dog, Chaos, was extremely attached to our first dog, Josey. He loved her dearly from the first day he came to our home as a puppy. And she was fond of him, but not nearly as in love as he was.
When she died, he grieved as much as we did. We brought her body home and let him see & sniff her remains before we buried her. I felt this was important, as it would help him know she was dead. He helped us bury her and pawed the ground after she was buried. And he laid down on the soft soil and stayed there for a couple of hours. He came in that night, but visited her grave again the next day, sitting nearby. On and off for a few weeks he visited her grave. We'd not be able to find him, then would spot him next to her grave out back. It took about six months, but he eventually stopped visiting her grave. His personality also shifted as he became "top dog" rather than existing under her leadership. He's now buried next to her. He never got along with another dog ... just the one love in his life.
I believe dogs grieve, and just as with humans, each in their own way.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
|
CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/07/2003
View Profile
|
sue.t wrote: We brought her body home and let him see & sniff her remains before we buried her. I felt this was important, as it would help him know she was dead.
Sue, I talked to my friend today and she told me that after the paramedics left last night, the sheriff who stayed behind told her to let the dog out of the bedroom, that she needed to see her deceased "dad" so she would understand. I thought that was an amazingly kind and sensitive thing to do. My friend says it seemed to help and the little dog got to kiss her daddy goodbye. She told me the pup is sad and clingy, but hopefully she will bond more to her mom now. The husband's favorite lap blanket is still in his favorite chair, so maybe that will be some comfort, too.
|
Spike88
New Glasgow,Nova Scotia Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 04/04/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
First of all I am sorry for your friends loss.
Secondly dogs DO NOT forget in a few weeks. Neither do cats.
I believe animals grieve the way we do they just cant cry that we see. Your friend may find comfort in comforting the dog as they have both lost a loved one. Old clothes etc do help and in time they adjust however like it was stated some never recover and doe from a broken heart just as some long married spouses do. She will need to watch the pooch and do what is best in time. I am sending prayers for them both.
Margie UPS~44
|
kokosfriend
Nashville, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 09/06/2004
View Profile
|
This is such a terrible loss and I know that you are a comfort to your friend. Bless you for being there for her
Barb
kokosfriend
|
Justdilly
Va.
Senior Member
Joined: 05/03/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
I'm sorry for the sudden loss of your friend.
Perhaps the little dog can sleep with his "Mom" or at least sleep with her "Dad's" pillow and blanket in her bed. I hope she won't have to be left alone in the house for awhile.
97 Chevy Silverado 3500 diesel, crew cab, dually 4x4, 5 speed
04 Wilderness 300BHS
|
|
|
