Sophie's distress

[Rich]

When I arrived home last night, Deb had gone after Stormy and was not home yet - Sophie was frantic. She was running back and forth to the door whining and squeeking, jumping up and pawing my legs.  It was obvious that she was very upset by Stormy's absence. When Deb and Stormy arrived about an hour later, Stormy was obviously groggy and not feeling his best after his surgery. Sophie hovered around him like a mother hen.  During the evening as he slept on the couch, every time he would move or adjust his position, she would come to attention and check him out giving him a careful visual and sniff inspection.

Later after they had their 10 o'clock outing - greatly abbreviated since Stormy was still moving really slowly, Stormy lay down on the floor by the couch for some more sleep. At that point, Sophie took her stuffed hippo, a toy fiercely guarded as her favorite chewing and mauling object, and carried it over and laid it down by Stormy's head. She then curled up on his other side and kept watch.

It's hard, under these circumstances, not to be anthropomorphic about this and say that Sophie was trying to comfort Stormy by letting him have her favorite toy. Whatever the case, it is obvious to me that these animals have thought processes and emotions that we only dimly understand.

Sophie is 7 years Stormy's junior. Even if the outcome of the unknown growth in his mouth is good, it's very likely that Sophie will outlive Stormy.  After yesterday, I am concerned about how to help Sophie when that time comes when Stormy does not come home again.  Any input from those of you that have dealt with similar situations will help us prepare.

Thanks
Rich

[MindyKay]

Rich,

I have not had to deal with your situation, and I hope I don't for quite a while yet.

I thoroughly believe that dogs have a more complex thought process than we give them credit for.  Every day, I see the absolute joy in Ozzy's eyes when Roger comes home from work, and Ozzy will nearly turn himself inside-out whenever Amy comes homes, so I know they must feel some emotions.

[Jenny G]

What a sweet girl Sophie is!  When Annie "didn't come home again", Berman defintely became lethargic and - from what I can assume - depressed.  We just gave him extra attention and had our neighbor check on him throughout the day when we were at work.  Also - and this may be a huge coincidence or just sound weird - but after Annie went away with us in the car and didn't come back, Berman began whining and shaking really bad anytime he goes for a ride now.  He never had a problem before but he still continues this behavior - even after I put him in my lap or try to talk to him soothingly. 

We rescued Lucy about 1 or 2 months after we lost Annie - Berman had grown accustomed to having a buddy around - and this definitely got his mind off Annie.  He was too busy trying to make sure Lucy knew he was the boss!  Lucy, by no means, replaced Annie - but she she did help fill the huge hole we had in our hearts.

Just as it's going to be hard for you and Deb, it's going to be just has hard for Sophie.  This is why I never understand when people say "they're just dogs!" 

[Barb]

That is just so sweet.   I truly believe that our furkids have deep emotional thoughts - they pick up very quickly on our emotions and their behavior shows it.  Generally when mine go to the vet they both go - but occasionally they go by themselves.  The one at home is anxious until the other comes home and then the grooming, smelling all over begins.  Grooming as if to say - get that vet smell off of you and smell like home......

I have no advice for you, but will be very interested in hearing what those with experience have to say - My Brandy is almost 6 yrs older than Rudy and I too will have to deal with the same thing.

Hope Stormy is more awake today and can let his sissie know he is ok.   Sending both of your kids rays to get through this !

[Suzie]

Our critters do have incredible bonds with each other.  Miss Sophie is such a sweetie.  Poor big ole Stormy.  Our Newtie, also 14,  has had teeth problems too, it amazes me how much better he's doing since he had some teeth pulled.  Has Stormy gotten pain meds?  More rayz coming for a good outcome with the tests.  You all are in our thoughts.  So scary to have to wait.

[Roberta]

We had a simialr but it was not on Emma(17yrs) went it was whenAngus  passed away suddenly we had Oliver approx 2 and Emma at that stage 12. We had got Oliver so when Emma passed  (she was sick with something all her life} Angus would not fret, but when he went Oliver was a sad case he mopped and followed Emma who was a Alpha and needed no one, and that made our mind up to get Ingrid. The change in him was instantaniace. The watching the door and wanting to be lifted etc went.
So I think she will cope, but may need  a companion some time. I think they get used to having company of their own size.
But what a lovely sissie Stormy has.
Roberta
ps our two now have one of the greatest bonds we've seen between all we have had, they often go seek the other then kissies when they find each other.

[April]

That's sweet of Sophie!  I hope Stormy feels better ASAP!  They are truly bonded.

[TerriL]

It's interesting that you should post this because my husband and I were just discussing this sort of thing.  Oscy is VERY attached to Buelah and he gets completely freaked out when she is not around for one reason or another.  Toby is the same way with Oscy. 
I agree that it would be difficult to know and love your puppers the way we do and NOT believe that they think and feel far more than we can possibly know. 
I'm glad that Stormy is on the mend.  Maybe Sophie will be the very best medicine for him! 

[Doxherding Karen]

Guinness is 12.  Last August my six-year-old border collie/lab mix, Cooper stopped eating.  Lab tests showed liver compromise and the vet found a tumor.  We had him put to sleep.  For weeks after, Guinness was one very sad and quiet wiener dog.  Every time I came home, he would jump up and yip and wag his tail, then immediately start circling me and running from room to room, clearly looking for something.  That something was his companion Cooper.  In October I adopted Merlin, Dr. Beau Leaky, and Roscoe.  That's about 50 pounds worth of doxie for 50 pounds of Cooper.  Guinness warmed right up to them and loves to pretend he is alpha.  Rosoe barks if any other doxie pays attention to any other human, and Merlin and Beau just blow him off (Roscoe's ranting and raving: "Arf, arf, arf, arf, arf, arf, arf, af!!!!"  Their non-response: "Yeah...right...whatever.")  Keeping the cycle of dachshund love going for both dogs and people is the best medicine.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Oh no Rich! I did not know Stormy was having problems! Something in his mouth? Poor boy. He is the SWEETEST guy. Poor Sophie too. Got a tear in my eye to read about her reaction to him. Precious girl. (I can't believe she still has that hippo!). I am not sure what to tell you either, I have only lost one dog while I had another dog, and although Fred and Jessie were super close, she didn't show signs of grieving or missing him when he was gone, which surprised me to no end (and was glad I didn't have to see that happening on top of it all). I wonder if getting her a sibling at the time would help her, I have heard that has helped with other people, but that is not something you like to have to think about.

I hope all turns out ok with Stormy's mouth, let us know....I'll go see if I can find a post on the beginning of this.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I just found the thread...gads I feel for you guys. The waiting is absolute torture! I can imagine what you and Deb are going through. Many prayers and rays coming for all of you...please keep us posted.

[Delia and girls]

Poor Sophie! I agree with you - they have more emotions than we give them credit for. My first 2 doxies were 2 years apart. When Heidi went to the bridge, Nugget was about 13 years old. She actually liked being an only child except when we left her alone. She would howl something awful. We could hear her down the street. Unfortunately, I can only tell you what NOT to do - don't get her a puppy. That's when we got Gretchen, who was 4.5 months, and wanted to play. At 13, Nugget wanted no part of playing or Gretchen. This should have been obvious to us at the time, but...Looking back, we should have adjusted our schedules to not leave her alone. Ron and I,luckily, work in areas where we can do that. If we didn't, though, plan B would be to get her a companion about her age. Someone she could have cuddled with, like she used to do with Heidi.

I think this is why Ron and I go to such measures to not leave our present 2 girls alone (yes, we eventually got Gretchen a puppy - Ilsa - who is 5 months younger than Gretchie). We both realize that that was what we should have done for Nugget.

[papbouv]

Gizmo is 14 I think she really missed Jake when he passed she was not too happy about Patches coming into the house but now she sorta looks for Patches to go outside with her.She has absolutly no use for Buddy at all but that is because he is still so wild.Just give them extra pettings and Love.
Papbouv

[David C.]

Dogs always have the pack mentality.   When one dog leaves, the natural thing to do is to have one dog come back, and the circle remains intact.   Shortly after Rusty's passing in 2001, both Rudy & Max were clearly mourning their friend.   A few days later we brought over a friend's year-old dachshund.   That immediately perked both of them up.  For them, it was the completion of the pack cycle.   Max mourned Rudy, but by that time Max was already 16 years old and he definitely did not want additional canine companionship other than his hoomans.   Had this happened when either of them were younger, I am certain their behavior would have been different as anytime I separated them, the one that was "left behind" always freaked out.   Zora and Zeke have similiar behaviors when I separate them, and they have the additional bond of being blood relatives.

Sending rays Stormy's way.   We hope you won't have to deal with this issue for a long, long time.