Exactly a month ago, I had two dogs, Snoopy and Dino. They were brothers from the same litter and Snoopy was the elder by minutes. I kept them for 13.5 years since they were three weeks old. They were bottle–fed so you can imagine how close I am with them. There was not a single day through the years that we were separated by more than a few hours and I was there for them every night.
A month ago, Dino lapsed into a series of severe seizures and he died a few hours later. Before he took his last breath, while resting in my room, Snoopy came in and licked Dino’s face. It was as if to say farewell.
When Dino was missing that night, Snoopy walked all over the house looking for Dino. He went in to all the rooms, sniffing at corners and just searching. A few days later, I could see that Snoopy continued to wonder where Dino was.
It has been one month already that Snoopy is alone. He has stopped searching. I wonder if Snoopy knows that Dino has left us for good, or if he just thinks that Dino is away and will be back soon. I have heard of cases were dogs lapsed into depression, refused to eat and died, when the master passed away but I have not heard of the same when a canine brother died.
My sister was telling me that if Snoopy goes into depression, we would not know how to help him. What do you think? Does a dog know that another dog has died, or just away?
A month ago, Dino lapsed into a series of severe seizures and he died a few hours later. Before he took his last breath, while resting in my room, Snoopy came in and licked Dino’s face. It was as if to say farewell.
When Dino was missing that night, Snoopy walked all over the house looking for Dino. He went in to all the rooms, sniffing at corners and just searching. A few days later, I could see that Snoopy continued to wonder where Dino was.
It has been one month already that Snoopy is alone. He has stopped searching. I wonder if Snoopy knows that Dino has left us for good, or if he just thinks that Dino is away and will be back soon. I have heard of cases were dogs lapsed into depression, refused to eat and died, when the master passed away but I have not heard of the same when a canine brother died.
My sister was telling me that if Snoopy goes into depression, we would not know how to help him. What do you think? Does a dog know that another dog has died, or just away?
2 comments:
My condolences. But I think eventually Snoopy will understand the Dino will not be coming back. Please take special care that Snoopy eats and poop regularly. I suppose he will appear listless for a week or so, especially if Dino was the alpha dog. I've heard if you bring home a smaller puppy, it might help, but not an adult one as it might cause fights.
Take care.
Hi,
Thank you very much for coming by with words of comfort. Snoopy had always been the big brother to Dino. He looked out for him all the time and Dino would go to him, especially when they were puppies.
Snoopy seems to be doing fine emotionally; perhaps it helps that he is an indoor dog.
I won't be bringing in a new dog. Snoopy is also 13.5 years old. I have to brace myself for the day he leaves me too. Health-wise, he is not 100%.
I don't think I want to put myself through the same things with new dogs. It's too painful.
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