All animals grieve, some more than others, and it think it depends on how strong their bond was with the other animal as to how much it will affect them. We had a couple of donkeys on our yard when i was little, mother & son. The Mum died when she was in her late thirties, and the son (who was in his twenties) became compleatly listless, spend all day wondering around calling to her, and refused to eat anything. The owner tried everything, got him another companion but he eventually had to be PTS becuase he was so weak from not eating. Sorry, i know thats really depressing, but its an example of how much animals do grieve.

xxx

Glenice.

She described it thus - Buzz is out of site (! no comment) in the adjacent field. Through the gate in the hedgerow she sees a herd of bullocks violently stampeding to the right, followed by a loping white Buzz-like shape. Fifteen seconds later she sees a terrified bolting white Buzz-like shape tearing back to the left followed by a violently stampeding heard of angry bullocks. (perfect Tom and Jerry!) Another short space of time and Buzz racing for his life runs towards and past her towards another gate, bringing the bullocks behind him. She and remainder of pack just manage to get out of the field before the arrival of the bullocks. Buzz had clearly been 'bowled over' by his quarry, judging by the heavy grass and mud slide mark down his right side.

Buzz seems very content and is sleeping soundly on the partially destroyed dog bed behind my desk that he frequents during the day. I fear that Buzz is a little lacking in the 'fear factor', and has no appreciation of how close he came to being the main ingredient in a batch of JR paté.

Glenice.

Nancy

Yes,they do. Millie and Bella were the same age and we had them from roughly year 1 when we rescued them - so they were life long companions. When Millie had to be pts last Sept (exactly one year this Saturday) Bella refused to eat and vomited for three days. We brought Millie's body home and made a point of allowing Bella to see her and sniff her, so that Millie did not simply vanish from her life. Bella was depressed for about three months - moping, not eating properly, looking for Millie - until I got old Buzz in Jan this year. She did not like him at all but he gave her something to compete with in a barmy way. Suddenly she started wolfing her food down again - its was great to see. She seems much happier now, although she is aging herself too and she is naurally more sedate and subdued than she was even 18 months ago.

Of course I was very upset too when Millie died.

My view is that dogs and people have to learn about death, which is inevitable and natural, so we should support each other while allowing the griever to adapt. Sounds like Stumpy had a great end - natural, surrounded by loved ones, timely. I reckon you are doing the right things.

she was sooo good the other nite to - we had to call to see some family the other night who maggie has not met yet - i am soo proud - they were loving her and although she was a little nervous and unsure she allowed my uncle to fuss her. he kept talking to her in a low quiet voice telling her how good she was and how beautiful and she seemed to settle and enjoy it - when he walked off to get something and come back again she stretch her head out to him again ready to be fussed! this was such a big thing for her and i was so proud. she got lots of fuss and cuddles when we got home :) fingers crossed we carry on this way .

Karen

karen & maggie x

Nancy

Nancy

Nancy

Quote:

Lyn
One of the best known cases of a dog grieving for its owner is probaby Greyfriars Bobby - a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh after reportedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray, until he died himself on 14 January 1872

More recent, was the photo of a Jack Russell staying by dead white farmer who was killed in the (vile) Robert Mugabe's "purge" of farms in Zimbabwe by Mugabe's henchmen.

The sad story ☛.... [www.canadafreepress.com]

C

Nancy

Nancy

Nancy

things havent been going well

basil is extremely aggressive towards her and i'm at my wits end. hes just not accepting her whatsoever and i think i'm going to have to take her back to the sanctuary.

have spent the last 2 days in floods of tears which i know doesnt help but i'm so gutted.

he attacked her for no apparent reason yesterday quite badly and again this morning - i had to come to work today so i've had to leave them separated.

shes a total delight - still puppyish in her behaviour but a real wee pet. his behaviour towards her is starting already to make her a bit frightened and thats the last thing i want.

maybe basil just isnt in the right state to have a friend and maybe he doesnt want one? i just dont know

waiting on the owner of the sanctuary to phone me back with some advice

i have followed all the advice i've been given so far and its not working

hope to post later on

barbara :-( x

am i just being a paranoid mum!?

Hugs to you all, Karen - it must be all the more upsetting for you when you see Buster like this. How's Dixie coping?

Nancy