do dogs feel as much as we do?

[Josierivera_14]

since i found my male husky a home and my female husky a female home i miss them so much. its hard to live without them and i just hit depression from it. i have been having lots of dreams about them where I'm bak at my old house and i see them running and being happy and I'm playing with them like i use to. i miss them so much. my friend sent me pictures of my female husky and says she's doing great. she's a happy doggy and is being a good girl like i raised her to be. i guess my question is do they miss us or think about us as much as we think and miss them? or will she forget about me soon? i will be able to see her when she needs more dog food and idk when that will be. its hard to go see her because she's a 30 minute drive and don't have the gas to see her as much as i want. so what do you guys think? do they miss us and think about us like i think about them. I'm really sad without my babies its breaking my heart to be without them.

[ginger899]

Firstly I would like to say you must be a very selfless person, to care so much about those dogs. That for some reason you couldn't give them the home they needed, and so were selfless enough to be brave, and find them what they needed with others. That must have taken some doing, but you put love first, and that is a great thing you did.

What you are feeling is a kind of grieving. It's understandable. My heart goes out to you, because I can empathise with missing your buddies (I miss my girl, who passed away nearly 2 years ago)

Do they forget us? Never. They live in the moment a lot more than we do, and so will be able to get along with what's happening right now, in their lives -so long as they are happy and being taken great care of they will adjust ok.
But does a dog ever forget someone it has loved?? Absolutely NO! Never! They are incredible that way. A person who has loved a dog will always get a wonderful happy greeting from that dog if they meet it in the future -no matter how long they have been parted!

[tonyb286]

Hello. It sounds like you have had a fairly tough and challenging time ... but you did a fabulous thing in rescuing your best friend, who probably wouldn't even be alive today had you not taken her in. You have also thought about her  welfare first - instead of your own - by letting someone you trust adopt her and care for her, until such time as circumstances improve for you. I think you have been very brave and extremely conscientious. Don't pine over her too much - if she's being well cared for, then that's all you need right now. You have done your job as a loving and responsible dog owner. Take care ... and come back here to chat anytime you feel the need.

Tony

[Josierivera_14]

i am glad that they didn't have to go to a doggy pound. i am missing my boy already but his new family loves him and they send me updates and pictures. as for the girl. my friend has her for as long as we need her to be there until we find a house or a new apartment that will allow her. the last time i went to see her she was so happy to see me. she jumped all over me and never left my side. when i first got there she whimpered and cried in my lap like "you came back for me i missed you" it broke me into pieces. and then when i was driving away i can hear her crying and barking. that broke me even more. but my friend said he takes her for walks and that she is doing good. sometimes she stays by the gate and "waits for me" he sent me pictures of her doing this and i feel so bad. i think about he r everyday. i miss her so much. i had her from when she was this fluffy little puppy. i took her away from someone who was only feeding her chocolate. the person wasn't feeding her meals or anything and they were hitting her. i rescued her and ever since then i raised her. it just broke my heart that i have to have her away from me. i use to walk her everyday and brush her fir and sit outside with her for hours and let her run around. but now she's not here. i have dreams about her all the time and just wanted to know if maybe she thought about me too. she is kid. she's not just a dog. but now i am having my own and i know when my babys get here i won't be able to see her as much but i will be taking her back when we find another place. thank you guys. you put my mind a little at ease. but i will always miss her and my male dog. they were there for me when no one else was.

[Jerry_NJ]

First I am sad to read you had to give up you loved dogs - but they are alive and well, not gone.  I also read you can, even if rarely, go to visit them. The dogs will love seeing you even if it is a month or more between visits.  

On the other hand, they have and will continue to adapt to their new home if it is safe and loving.

We take care of a neighbor's dogs (a labaradoodle and a goldendoodle) and have had them for up to a week at a time.  During such times I have seen them sit side-by-side looking out the window that overlooks the entrance to our driveway and I know they are looking for their "mom" to drive in to get them.  

These dogs are always happy to be here when delivered, and they have known us their whole lives, but they are always very ready to go home.  Still once their owners drive out, we can let the dogs out (we have a large property) to pay on our property - they are ready and willing to chase a ball or play other games.  They eat and sleep well, in all aspects seem to have accepted the fact they are with us - but I know too they are ready to go home.

[tonyb286]

Hi. Dogs have good memories and are able to remember people even though they may not have seen them for months and even years. Evidence suggests this has more to do with smell than sight, but either way, they certainly don't forget people that have been important in their lives. However, there is a great deal of truth in the phrase "Dogs live for the day", because they are extremely adaptable to a change of circumstances, environment and the people in their 'pack'. While they don't appear to suffer the strong emotions humans have, particularly concerning the loss of a human counterpart, they can have temporary anxiety and fear in losing someone close to them (human or another dog). This anxiety seems to dissipate quite quickly (usually within a few days) and they then adapt to their new pack member(s), alpha leader (human) and environment.

All that said, I have had a dog that pined for another dog he was brought up with (the older dog passed away) and the pining went on for several weeks. I think the level of stress a dog experiences has more to do with feeling secure and safe, rather than the loss of the human or pack animal. I have also met dogs I haven't seen for some months who feel instantly contented in my company and seemingly happy to see me, so it does prove that dogs have longer memories than many give them credit for.

Tony

[Josierivera_14]

bump

[Josierivera_14]

i ment a foster home not female