Aa
One of two dogs dies, how to tell other one?
We have two dogs and one is quite sick. There is a chance she will have to be put down in a couple weeks, although we are hoping she will get better. The question I have is, since these two dogs have been companions for more than ten years, if we have to let one go, is there some way to let the other dog know what happened? Normally when we lose a dog, we have them put down at the vet's office, and then bring them home and bury them in the yard. But we have the two dogs now, and I'm worried if he'll wonder where his companion went. If anyone else has had experience with this, I'd really like some feedback.
She has pancreatitis, I began a thread recently concerning that, and she spent this past week in the vet hospital getting nutrients only by I.V. and nothing by mouth, in an effort to rest the pancreas, and she's coming home this afternoon. She may get well and have no more problems, or there's this chance she may go downhill again and the end will be near. Anyhow, while she's been out of the house this workweek at the hospital, the other dog sensed we were emotional the first day, on account of we don't like her being away at the vet hospital, so he stayed close to us. But he has adjusted to her not being here very well. We're thinking if we eventually have to put her down, he will adjust again the same way.
But there is some doubt in my mind about that, if she's put down at the vet office, and then brought home to be buried, normally we would just bury her fairly quickly without bringing her into the house. But we're wondering if we should let our other dog see that she has passed before we bury her. We could even bring her up on the porch and let the other dog see that she's died. We're also considering the idea of having the vet put her down here at the house, so the other dog can see what happens. Those alternatives sound rather gruesome, compared to just not bothering the other dog with the whole thing. But for anyone who has indoor pets and has observed how the other dogs do when one goes like that, we'd like to know your thoughts. We are leaning towards the usual way of doing things, having her put down and bury her when we get home, and not expose our other dog to anything relating to her death.
I'm just not sure, so I would so appreciate feedback from anyone else who has gone thru this, who keeps two or more dogs as pets in the home and has had a similar experience with one dying. How did the other dog do, not knowing? Or did you let them know somehow? Thank you guys SO much. GG
She has pancreatitis, I began a thread recently concerning that, and she spent this past week in the vet hospital getting nutrients only by I.V. and nothing by mouth, in an effort to rest the pancreas, and she's coming home this afternoon. She may get well and have no more problems, or there's this chance she may go downhill again and the end will be near. Anyhow, while she's been out of the house this workweek at the hospital, the other dog sensed we were emotional the first day, on account of we don't like her being away at the vet hospital, so he stayed close to us. But he has adjusted to her not being here very well. We're thinking if we eventually have to put her down, he will adjust again the same way.
But there is some doubt in my mind about that, if she's put down at the vet office, and then brought home to be buried, normally we would just bury her fairly quickly without bringing her into the house. But we're wondering if we should let our other dog see that she has passed before we bury her. We could even bring her up on the porch and let the other dog see that she's died. We're also considering the idea of having the vet put her down here at the house, so the other dog can see what happens. Those alternatives sound rather gruesome, compared to just not bothering the other dog with the whole thing. But for anyone who has indoor pets and has observed how the other dogs do when one goes like that, we'd like to know your thoughts. We are leaning towards the usual way of doing things, having her put down and bury her when we get home, and not expose our other dog to anything relating to her death.
I'm just not sure, so I would so appreciate feedback from anyone else who has gone thru this, who keeps two or more dogs as pets in the home and has had a similar experience with one dying. How did the other dog do, not knowing? Or did you let them know somehow? Thank you guys SO much. GG
I'm not sure what I feel this morning so I found this site and read the comments and thought I would share my thoughts and questions. I had two boxers last night I had to put the oldest down. Coco was 10 years old. She had been dealing with seizures for several months.Coco was on medication for the seizures. Last night she had a seizure that was not like any before. We ended taking her a Pet Vet emergency hospital. When we arrived they took Coco in and came and told us that her temperature. was up to 108* she had been in the seizure for about 2 hours. We had to travel to the hospital 40 miles away. We talked to the vet and decided that we would put Coco down. My wife and I had talked about this situation many times sense Coco was ill. It was very hard for me Coco was a Christmas present to me 10 years ago to the day. I'm feeling really guilty this morning missing her and her ****-eyed looks back at me when we talked. I knew she understood everything I would say to her. My other boxer Lalla knew something was up with Coco before we did last light. Lalla licked Coco's face cleaned her all up then turned her back on my wife and I and sat very close to Coco before the seizure stated. I was happy to read about the what happens to the second dog. Lalla is 9 years old Coco has raised her from a pup when we brought her home. They are both spoiled and live the good life. Which was one factor that helped me make the decision to let Coco go. They both have had a wonderful life I took both of them with me everywhere. When I couldn't take the I put them in their kennel. That was very nice. Yet it still made me sad to have to put them in the kennel. Now to today I' am very saddened hoping I did the right thing. Lalla knows somethings awry. She has looked where she knew Coco would be if not by her side smelled the area where Coco had her seizure last night several times. Lalla's low key this morning she ate well and later we will go for a ride which they both loved. Both boxers are females. I will keep an close eye on Lalla and pay her a lot of more attention in the times ahead. Its kind of funny as I set here writing this comment I think back just 2 days ago and realize how many photos I took of Coco and Lalla at Christmas. Thank all of you for your comments. It help me deal with my loss :-(
I'm not sure what I feel this morning so I found this site and read the comments and thought I would share my thoughts and questions. I had two boxers last night I had to put the oldest down. Coco was 10 years old. She had been dealing with seizures for several months.Coco was on medication for the seizures. Last night she had a seizure that was not like any before. We ended taking her a Pet Vet emergency hospital. When we arrived they took Coco in and came and told us that her temperature. was up to 108* she had been in the seizure for about 2 hours. We had to travel to the hospital 40 miles away. We talked to the vet and decided that we would put Coco down. My wife and I had talked about this situation many times sense Coco was ill. It was very hard for me Coco was a Christmas present to me 10 years ago to the day. I'm feeling really guilty this morning missing her and her ****-eyed looks back at me when we talked. I knew she understood everything I would say to her. My other boxer Lalla knew something was up with Coco before we did last light. Lalla licked Coco's face cleaned her all up then turned her back on my wife and I and sat very close to Coco before the seizure stated. I was happy to read about the what happens to the second dog. Lalla is 9 years old Coco has raised her from a pup when we brought her home. They are both spoiled and live the good life. Which was one factor that helped me make the decision to let Coco go. They both have had a wonderful life I took both of them with me everywhere. When I couldn't take the I put them in their kennel. That was very nice. Yet it still made me sad to have to put them in the kennel. Now to today I' am very saddened hoping I did the right thing. Lalla knows somethings awry. She has looked where she knew Coco would be if not by her side smelled the area where Coco had her seizure last night several times. Lalla's low key this morning she ate well and later we will go for a ride which they both loved. Both boxers are females. I will keep an close eye on Lalla and pay her a lot of more attention in the times ahead. Its kind of funny as I set here writing this comment I think back just 2 days ago and realize how many photos I took of Coco and Lalla at Christmas. Thank all of you for your comments. It help me deal with my loss :-(
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with lindapalm. Dogs will sometimes grieve very deeply. My Misty's 'best friend' who was a neighbour's dog, grieved deeply for her when she passed. I was afraid he wouldn't make it. It took him about a month to slowly come out of his acute grieving phase.
I was grieving hard too of course, but every day went to see him, and tried to distract him by doing the things he loved best. In his case it was chasing sticks about a field, and me giving him affection.
It can be hard to do those things when you are also grieving deeply, but restoring their normal life and day-to-day activities which they used to get pleasure out of -is a good thing to do. Car rides, meeting other people and other dogs etc, walks, favourite places.....
This helps to lift up their spirits.
I hope something will work.
I am very very sorry for your loss only recently.
I was grieving hard too of course, but every day went to see him, and tried to distract him by doing the things he loved best. In his case it was chasing sticks about a field, and me giving him affection.
It can be hard to do those things when you are also grieving deeply, but restoring their normal life and day-to-day activities which they used to get pleasure out of -is a good thing to do. Car rides, meeting other people and other dogs etc, walks, favourite places.....
This helps to lift up their spirits.
I hope something will work.
I am very very sorry for your loss only recently.
Instead of adopting another dog right now, which you said didn't feel right, would it help Sophie if you got her out of the house a lot, take her for rides, visiting, etc.?
I saw what has happened with you, and I wanted to share, The mother of our dog Sophie, who is 11 years old. Passed away on Dec. 8th, Sophie lost her brother Mario almost three years ago, but she always had her rock, her mother Sarah. who was 12 years 8 months an 8 days old miniature Schnauzers. Sophie was in the home for the intire time of her mothers illness, even our two cats knew what was happening they all came to her sunday the 7th an said there goodbyes.
We me an my husband took Sophie with us On the morning of the 8th an I picked her up an said Sophie say goodbye to your mommy an she put her paw on her face, an then of course she was gone.
Not just my husband an I are so depressed , we actually cremated Sarah an got a clay paw print. The issue is that our little Sophie has not snapped back she is super depressed not herself I had to take her into the vet as well to check for the same issue as her mom, any ways its very very very sad and hard on them. She stays upstairs a lot I have to go up an get her an get her to come sit with me downstairs.
I was actually an the aspca an going to adopt a dog for her today older one but it just didn't feel right. I believe the dogs know, but it is a good thing to let the other say goodbye.
all to sad my heart is broken now not just with the loss of Sarah but for Sophie an I don't know what to do . Take care I am there with you same boat horrible....I am afraid Sophie will die of a broken heart.
We me an my husband took Sophie with us On the morning of the 8th an I picked her up an said Sophie say goodbye to your mommy an she put her paw on her face, an then of course she was gone.
Not just my husband an I are so depressed , we actually cremated Sarah an got a clay paw print. The issue is that our little Sophie has not snapped back she is super depressed not herself I had to take her into the vet as well to check for the same issue as her mom, any ways its very very very sad and hard on them. She stays upstairs a lot I have to go up an get her an get her to come sit with me downstairs.
I was actually an the aspca an going to adopt a dog for her today older one but it just didn't feel right. I believe the dogs know, but it is a good thing to let the other say goodbye.
all to sad my heart is broken now not just with the loss of Sarah but for Sophie an I don't know what to do . Take care I am there with you same boat horrible....I am afraid Sophie will die of a broken heart.
I think this is right. i am currently going through this. I lost one of my fellows on 2nd Nov. His daughter is with us. There has never been a time when this girl was alone and now to be all by herself is having an impact on her. We did not bring him home after he was euthanised, but buried him in a pet burial ground. this girl knows that he was suffering, but probably doesn't know that he is no more. She has been seeing us cry all day. She has become very quiet, doesn't respond when we call.
We then have started taking her for frequent walks, talk more to her. We don't take the other guy's name as she becomes alert and starts looking for him. We cook what she likes to eat. But the girl just curls herself up and sits in the corners or under the cot. Its hard to see her go through all this and not being able to vent it out. I just pray that she comes out of it soon.
But yes, giving them the extra attention, playing with them, taking them to the park are some of things that we could do to ease their pain.
We then have started taking her for frequent walks, talk more to her. We don't take the other guy's name as she becomes alert and starts looking for him. We cook what she likes to eat. But the girl just curls herself up and sits in the corners or under the cot. Its hard to see her go through all this and not being able to vent it out. I just pray that she comes out of it soon.
But yes, giving them the extra attention, playing with them, taking them to the park are some of things that we could do to ease their pain.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
