My daughter has two labs, today she is helping one of them go to the bridge. She is making the right choice, however, she is frantic about how to help the remaining dog with her grief. These dogs have been together for 10 years and do everything together. Any advice out there?
Gosh, I don't think there is anything that can be done about a normal reaction. Animals grieve, too, just like we do. The remaining dog will need lots of TLC and hugs and walks. It will take time, just like everything else does, to heal.
There's no question that animals grieve. When Stormy went to the bridge a year ago, after nine years of being together Sophie was definitely not herself. She ate little. Did not want to cuddle or interact with us much. I'm sure that given time she would have come out of it on her own, but three weeks later we found Sam and when we brought him home she became very interested in interacting with him and acted more like her old self. I think that in addition to missing their old companion, they find being alone to be stressful. (Our dogs stay home alone all day - if the dog had a person at home all the time their recovery time might be different).
Some say to take the friend dog with you to the vets or have the vet come to the home if they will they say it is better for them to see there friend gone they deal with it better like they had a chance to say goodbye too??? I never thought of it way but some of it makes since really hard to know what to do. Afterwards give allot of time and walks to the one left behind.
I think each dog reacts differently, I had a Dane and a doxie together for several years, they were the best of friends, inseparable. My poor Dane was ill so much and Jessie my doxie nursed him constantly. I was really worried about how she would react when we lost him but if she did grieve, I didn't see any sign from her. Like the others said I think the only thing is to give the remaining lab a lot of attention. So sorry for your daughters loss there is nothing harder.
I agree with the others - it will just take some time. If the remaining pupper is not used to being home alone during the day, a new addition might be the answer. I hate thinking about the time that I will need to help one of mine, but I know that I want the others to be there too. I just don't think they will understand if I take one away and don't bring them back. It is never easy to do - :comfort: for your daughter....