One of two dogs dies, how to tell other one?

[ggreg]

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

[AllAnimalLover]

I have 2 miniature schnauzers and when my husband passed away, they were 6 years-old.  I took them both to the funeral home to view their daddy. Most funerals homes will allow you to do this.  Before we went they were depressed, lathargic and wandered around aimlessly.  Afterward they were so at peace and went into full-blown taking care of mama mode.  They took on the roles of alpha dogs.  Now they are 14 years-old and recently, July 14th, one of them died.  Max, the surviving schnauzer is completely lost (he is also 98 years-old and has his own health issues) so I have to factor that in.  For 3 days he laid in his brother's bed and ate out of his bowl.  He was very clingy to me and whined a lot. He never lost his appetite.  It's been 1 week now and Max is starting to be a dog again.  Today he even picked up a toy and wanted to play.  (only for about 3 minutes LOL)  The only advice I have is to love, love, love your dog. And don't be afraid to talk about the deceased dog.  I ask Max all the time, "Where's Raleigh? Where's your brother?"  He looks around and then looks at me for reassurance.  I tell him he's okay and Raleigh had to go somewhere.  I'm so blessed that he is comimg around...I was worried I would have to put him down...just give your surviving angel love and time...

[Keja976]

I have two dogs still in good health but worry about this exact problem, If one dies should I show the body to the remaining dog? I have a friend at work who had their dog put to sleep at home and the vet suggested they let the other dog come in after to see the body so they could understand. It is a traumatic time for the whole family when your well loved friend dies and my concern with my dogs is that they are litter brothers and Im not sure they would cope if ones of them dies. I have found the posts on this forum helful and my thoughts go out to anyone going though this very upsetting time.

[Nieo24]

I need your help with my dogs can i have your email please, or can you tell me how to deal with my depressed dog after losing the elder one

[Nieo24]

I need your help with my dogs can i have your email please, or can you tell me how to deal with my depressed dog after losing the elder one

[Nieo24]

I need your help with my dogs can i have your email please, or can you tell me how to deal with my depressed dog after losing the elder one

[Jerry_NJ]

As already noted two replies above, a new post would get more attention and even more focused help if the subject line points to the specific issue:  Re-homing a dog of 10 yr.  Here I assume "Re-homing" carries the right snapshot issue.  If you make such a post I think it would be fine to simply cut-and-past you replay above.

You raise a complex subject but one I suspect is all too common/normal.  There may be some experience out here in blog-land that will help put your mind at rest.  From my knowledge of dogs I think you situation is one that  will hit the surviving dog real hard - and from the one experience I've had with a chocolate late lab, they are big loving babies, more so that a black lab, say.  The chocolate  really needs attention.