Need Advice

[dominosarah]

Snickers is showing signs of mourning.  He hasnt eaten alot today.  Just follows me around and when i cry he comes and sits on my lap.  He is not a lap cat normally.  I have washed all of the beagles bedding etc.  He lays right where she did on the couch.  He goes on the basement steps and cries so i go and sit with him, pet him and cry with him, just cant help it right now.  He is also laying where the beagles food dish was.   How long do they usually mourn?  I dont like seeing my boy feeling so bad, just breaks my heart.  Anything else i can do for him?                  sara

[zodiacqueen]

Sara I am so sorry that you're going through such a terrible time.  I wish there was something that I could say or do to make it better.  But, it will take time for you, Snickers, and Cali to come to terms w/ this.  I really do believe that animals mourn in their own way when they lose someone close to them.  I'm glad you have them to comfort you, and you to comfort them.  All of you need each other!  

I would keep a close eye on Snickers and give him some extra TLC, like you really need me to tell ya that.  LOL  I've always told you what a sensitive boy your Snickers is!!  It may be worth a try to avoid crying in front of him.  I know I sound nuts, but I've either heard or read that somewhere.  Some pets are like psychic sponges and "absorb" our feelings, both the good and bad.  So, if this has some grain of truth to it, it's worth a try to see if Snickers feels better.

I'm pretty sure he'll be fine and eventually, so will you.  Damn, I wish to God there was some magic words I could say to you right now!  =(

Lots of Love and comforting hugs to you, my friend
ZQ

[Jade59]

Hi Sara, oh, I am so very sad for you.  I'm glad to hear S ate a little something. I don't know your feeding schedule, but you might try putting some food down for S and encourage him to eat when you eat.  This will be good for You, too, since you probably don't have much appetite. You guys can help each other stay fed and hydrated.  Cali, too.  My only experience with an animal in mourning was long ago.  My parakeet saw her partner and friend die and lying on the bottom of the cage.  My girl stayed fluffed up and depressed for about a week and yes, it's heartbreaking to see them suffering.  And everyone is right, S is reacting to your sorrow as well as his own.  As you slowly feel better, so will everyone else.

My heart goes out to you, Sara.  We are all here for you so please let us know if we can help in any other way.  Love and such big Hugs to you...♥

[dominosarah]

I was going to retire both the Snoopy water dish and her Snoopy bowl but decided against removing the water bowl.  There is enough change without her being here and that water dish has been his drinking bowl too.  He ate a bit this morning and had some water so i feel better about that but oh the crying he does, he just yodels.  I know i should be strong for him but my emotions are running on overdrive.  He knew she was sick and would lay by her and not move a muscle.  What a comfort he must of been for her.  I remember the vet telling me to watch him and Cali as they would probably mourn, and they are.  Cali isnt as bad but she is looking for the beagle too.  I really hate this.  Thank you for taking the time to help me out here~~~~~sara

[LindaTX]

Sara, I am so sorry for your loss.  This is the same thing that happened last Spring to TJ when we lost his littermate of 15 yrs, Masena.   It was so hard on both of us....I was there and watched the two of them being born.  TJ was lost without her.  He would come up to me and sit on my lap, look directly into my eyes like he was expecting an explanation.  So I sat and talked to him for the longest time.  I think it helped us both.  I know it did.

[opus88]

oh Sara how truly human these little creatures are, Snickers is indeed mourning as you are, he is missing the beagle but he's also picking up on your vibes too.
this is so sad, how do we relate to another animal that their friend isn't coming home and have them understand what the heck we are trying to communicate? I wish I knew....it takes time, some but NOT all my animals showed signs of mourning, and it usually only lasted a few days....but I have read of it lasting much longer too. depends I guess on how close the two were.
All I can suggest is to give Snickers alot of extra attention right now. All the Beagles dishes and bedding will trigger scents of course, but I wouldn't be in a rush to remove all that either.....you both need these items nearby so you can come to terms slowly with her passing.....
Just keep an eye on him, I wouldn't want to see him go off his food as some will do...remember kitties unlike dogs cannot go without food for much more than a day without the liver beginning to shut down.
Hugs to both of you....♥

[nancyjac]

He probably is mourning as much for you and he is with you.  He is trying to comfort you just as you are trying to comfort him.  When you start to feel better, he will start to feel better.  Just make sure he doesn't stop eating and drinking altogether.  My condolences to both of you for your loss.