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When someone in the family passes away, what is a good way for the dog to know and understand that - he's not coming back, grieve the loss and move on?
If at all possible, let them see the body. I know that's not always a possibility though or you are probably past that point right now.
My Tucker knew when we came home without Taylor. He went out and searched our van then started whining and howling. It was so sad. When we lost Maggie and again with Tucker, my Truly knew when she saw the empty collars. She knew that we wouldn't bring an empty collar home. She had already known both dogs were ill when we left with them. It just takes time to adjust to a new routine and living without their friend. For Tucker, we eventually adopted Maggie and he was thrilled for a companion again. Truly already had other dogs in her pack to turn to. It just takes time
Sophie knew Kona was dying, when we took her to the vet for the last time Sophie knew she wasn't coming back. She was sad for a couple weeks and then lonely for about a month and now four months later she seems to be doing well and is embracing being the only child. We just gave her a lot of attention and treated her even more special than normal. I'm not sure how she would have reacted if it was a human in her pack. When my husband is away on business she is always on edge for him to return. If one of her humans suddenly wasn't there I think she would be very confused, if there was an illness she would probably sense more.
Are you talking about person in a multi person pack or a person where the pack is now gone?
In the first, it's partially up to the personality of the dog to overcome the loss of a pack member and reach the point of accepting the dissapearance. The remaining people can assist by simply keeping the dog's attention on other things to fill any voids. Don't telagraph your grief. Make things fun.
For the second, 1/2 lb of brisket each day, treats, playing games, treats, walks, treats, more brisket and a soft spot on the bed will have that dog wondering by weeks end "Who was I suppose to miss?"
When my dad suddenly got sick and the paramedics came to get him my brother said Phoenix who never slept on the bed was up in his bed snuggled up to him.She would not get off and had to be lifted off and put outside. My Dad died in the hospital 24 hrs later . I am sure Phoenix knew something was wrong when she got in bed with him. She came back to live with me but because I had a trip to take I left her alone at my Dad's house for a week with someone from my brothers house coming over to feed her daily. Yes she was depressed when she came to live with me, So Jazz, Dazzle and I took her lots of exciting places and she soon seemed to be her happy self and settled back into life at my house. She had lived with me for 1.5 yrs before she went to live with my parents. I think the best time for her was after Jazz had died and it was her and Dazzle and I then added the puppy, Chaos as Phoenix took a real interest in keeping an eye on the puppy and it seemed to add some spunk back into the old girl.
When my mom died she died at her home so their two dogs and my two dogs were all there and I think they all understood what was going on. Henry her collie X Mal who seemed very intune to her cancer and watched her like a hawk had a hard time to the point that his Lupus flared up and he pulled almost all his hair out. He did recover and was doing well but a year later started having trouble standing up and being a BIG dog he was too heavy for my dad to lift up so he had to be put to sleep.
Greyfriars Bobby is a true story about a dog who I think never left his master's grave - I think he did go and eat, do his business, etc. but he returned to the grave every day. Hachiko was a dog who used to go to this Japanese train station to wait for his master to return from his teaching job, even after his master died. Hachiko kept this up for years till he himself passed on. The movie, starring Richard Gere, was so SAD and made me almost bawl, and I never cry at movies. Just thinking about it now, I feel like crying. I wished I never saw that movie. Dogs are loyal to the end and beyond.
When my dad suddenly got sick and the paramedics came to get him my brother said Phoenix who never slept on the bed was up in his bed snuggled up to him.She would not get off and had to be lifted off and put outside. My Dad died in the hospital 24 hrs later . I am sure Phoenix knew something was wrong when she got in bed with him. She came back to live with me but because I had a trip to take I left her alone at my Dad's house for a week with someone from my brothers house coming over to feed her daily. Yes she was depressed when she came to live with me, So Jazz, Dazzle and I took her lots of exciting places and she soon seemed to be her happy self and settled back into life at my house. She had lived with me for 1.5 yrs before she went to live with my parents. I think the best time for her was after Jazz had died and it was her and Dazzle and I then added the puppy, Chaos as Phoenix took a real interest in keeping an eye on the puppy and it seemed to add some spunk back into the old girl.
When my mom died she died at her home so their two dogs and my two dogs were all there and I think they all understood what was going on. Henry her collie X Mal who seemed very intune to her cancer and watched her like a hawk had a hard time to the point that his Lupus flared up and he pulled almost all his hair out. He did recover and was doing well but a year later started having trouble standing up and being a BIG dog he was too heavy for my dad to lift up so he had to be put to sleep.
Dogs are intuitive - they know when the end is near and they sit beside their beloved humans, giving them comfort, trying to help them cross over peacefully in the absence of fear. It was so nice that your mom passed with her furry friends so near. It took a lot out of her dog pals but I am sure they would have it no other way - they wanted to be with her at that time, not only to say goodbye, but to show their love for her. That's what friends are for.
To be clear, it was my father-in-law that passed and it is his dog we are talking about. Ricco still has his mom...but he knows something isn't right.
The day dad fell, Ricco was standing over him, as to protect him, until mom got home. When she did, the EMT's were with her to take him (father) to the hospital. He was bleeding into his brain stem (blunt force trauma) to the back lower part of his head. He did not pick up his feet (he more or less shuffles his feet). He tripped on the brick fireplace and fell, hitting the lower back of his head. He was able to crawl to his phone and call his wife.
Ricco (dog) saw everything...and this was three weeks ago. He had surgery that evening and never regained conscientiousness. After exhaustive testing, he was pronounced brain dead and was taken off of life support. All the while, Ricco (the dog) was and is searching for him. (This is the longest they have been a part, ever.)
He is eating but not much and has little zest for life. Ricco is 4.5 yrs old and a French Brittany.
I know dogs morn the loss of a pack-member but the pack member in this case is his human. His mom is taking him for a ride in "dads" truck...and I think with some high value food items (treats), she perhaps can get him out of his slump?
So...we are all grieving...including the dog. At least as humans, we can communicate and understand what is going on. Ricco's having issues.
Again, thank you in advance for your help and all suggestions are appreciated.
~LuvABull
Last edited by LuvABull.Denver; 04-13-2014 at 03:09 PM..
Reason: Grammar - need a spell check and grammar button!!!
To be clear, it was my father-in-law that passed and it is his dog we are talking about. Ricco still has his mom...but he knows something isn't right.
The day dad fell, Ricco was standing over him, as to protect him, until mom got home. When she did, the EMT's were with her to take him (father) to the hospital. He was bleeding into his brain stem (blunt force trauma) to the back lower part of his head. He did not pick up his feet (he more or less shuffles his feet). He tripped on the brick fireplace and fell, hitting the lower back of his head. He was able to crawl to his phone and call his wife.
Ricco (dog) saw everything...and this was three weeks ago. He had surgery that evening and never regained conscientiousness. After exhaustive testing, he was pronounced brain dead and was taken off of life support. All the while, Ricco (the dog) was and is searching for him. (This is the longest they have been a part, ever.)
He is eating but not much and has little zest for life. Ricco is 4.5 yrs old and a French Brittany.
I know dogs morn the loss of a pack-member but the pack member in this case is his human. His mom is taking him for a ride in "dads" truck...and I think with some high value food items (treats), she perhaps can get him out of his slump?
So...we are all grieving...including the dog. At least as humans, we can communicate and understand what is going on. Ricco's having issues.
Again, thank you in advance for your help and all suggestions are appreciated.
~LuvABull
I am so sorry.
I know you will be good to Ricco and do everything possible.....to do that you will have to take care of yourself first.
Greyfriars Bobby is a true story about a dog who I think never left his master's grave - I think he did go and eat, do his business, etc. but he returned to the grave every day. Hachiko was a dog who used to go to this Japanese train station to wait for his master to return from his teaching job, even after his master died. Hachiko kept this up for years till he himself passed on. The movie, starring Richard Gere, was so SAD and made me almost bawl, and I never cry at movies. Just thinking about it now, I feel like crying. I wished I never saw that movie. Dogs are loyal to the end and beyond.
I seen the movie not too long ago. Yes, it was a sad movie and I got a little choked up while watching it.
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Dogs
He had surgery that evening and never regained conscientiousness. After exhaustive testing, he was pronounced brain dead and was taken off of life support. All the while, Ricco (the dog) was and is searching for him. (This is the longest they have been a part, ever.) 
At least as humans, we can communicate and understand what is going on. Ricco's having issues.
