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
Mindy will get better, it will take awhile, though. Try to spend as much time with her as possible, keeping her busy. Also, try not to let her see you upset about losing Barbie, it will only confuse her more. Good Luck.
We lost one of our yorkies Barbie on Saturday jan 28 on her 15th birthday
She had kidney failure. We didn't know she had it. She went quick. We also have another Yorkie mindy who is 12 years old. They were together all these years and now mindy is without her. We are worried about mindy because she loved Barbie so much. Her bark is even different and she is really quite and she used to bark at me to get off phone now she could care less. I dont know what to do. She is really quite now she used to be more loving to us.
She went with us to see Barbie before we put her down and I was crying
We wanted her to see her before she died. My husband took mindy and left
The room and I held Barbie while the doctor gave her the shot
We hope mindy will get better soon. I know I am very upset myself
We aren't getting another dog as of yet.
She had kidney failure. We didn't know she had it. She went quick. We also have another Yorkie mindy who is 12 years old. They were together all these years and now mindy is without her. We are worried about mindy because she loved Barbie so much. Her bark is even different and she is really quite and she used to bark at me to get off phone now she could care less. I dont know what to do. She is really quite now she used to be more loving to us.
She went with us to see Barbie before we put her down and I was crying
We wanted her to see her before she died. My husband took mindy and left
The room and I held Barbie while the doctor gave her the shot
We hope mindy will get better soon. I know I am very upset myself
We aren't getting another dog as of yet.
This is so sad :(
I am so sorry you are having to go thru this.
We, too, had 2 dogs that were bonded. He died from congestive heart failure. She didn't know what to do without him.
When he passed, I laid Buddy on his blanket and pillow (spoiled babies) in the living room. Cleo sniffed him and layed by his side. She knew he was gone. She was part of the burial ceremony as well.
Luckily a year before his passing, I had adopted another pup. So Cleo had her there which helped tremendously. A year prior to his death, he had fallen and paralyzed himself from the shoulders down (dachshund). I packed him around with us every where we went, he went also (in an elongated laundry basket). But poor little Cleo would not leave the porch and I had to carry her out to the yard as she wouldn't leave his side. She kept trying to get in his basket and lay with him.
He recovered and Cleo was fine then. But this allerted me to the fact she would be lost without him and hence the adoption of another pup. Now that he is gone, with Zoey's presence, Cleo (deaf dachshund) has recovered.
This is a horrible thing for an older dog, to lose their partner. I would definatly have the vet come there to your home to put him to rest. Your family can also be there when he passes. It would be better for him to die in the comfort of home rather than the cold sterile atmosphere of the vets office. Your other dog could be present. This way she will know. She won't keep looking for him. So sad :(
Hang in there. You are in a terrible spot. My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry you are having to go thru this.
We, too, had 2 dogs that were bonded. He died from congestive heart failure. She didn't know what to do without him.
When he passed, I laid Buddy on his blanket and pillow (spoiled babies) in the living room. Cleo sniffed him and layed by his side. She knew he was gone. She was part of the burial ceremony as well.
Luckily a year before his passing, I had adopted another pup. So Cleo had her there which helped tremendously. A year prior to his death, he had fallen and paralyzed himself from the shoulders down (dachshund). I packed him around with us every where we went, he went also (in an elongated laundry basket). But poor little Cleo would not leave the porch and I had to carry her out to the yard as she wouldn't leave his side. She kept trying to get in his basket and lay with him.
He recovered and Cleo was fine then. But this allerted me to the fact she would be lost without him and hence the adoption of another pup. Now that he is gone, with Zoey's presence, Cleo (deaf dachshund) has recovered.
This is a horrible thing for an older dog, to lose their partner. I would definatly have the vet come there to your home to put him to rest. Your family can also be there when he passes. It would be better for him to die in the comfort of home rather than the cold sterile atmosphere of the vets office. Your other dog could be present. This way she will know. She won't keep looking for him. So sad :(
Hang in there. You are in a terrible spot. My thoughts are with you.
1 Comments
Thank you for your comment.
I was reading this post to try to answer a question about my little Chiuaua who has had my Schnauzer around since I brought her home as a puppy. The Schnauzer got out of the yard and was struck by a car and died. We were horrified and very upset. The Chiuaua seems to be doing great, and if nothing else, seems to want to play and be around us. I love having two dogs in the household, and now am wondering if I should leave well enough alone and just give all my attention to Maise or get another small companion for all of us? What to do?
This story breaks my heart as my husband and I are faced with this exact situation. We lost a yorkie yesterday to pancreatitis and his buddy is home really wondering and worried about her brother. This has been a very long week with the battle of hoping our Charlie would get well enough to come home. He lost his battle and now we have to think about Ruby. After reading the comments above I do agree to let her greive in her own way and I don't plan to introduce her brother to her before we bury him. Thanks to all for the advice as this has been another tough decision that we did not want to screw up!
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.
