Dogs mourn don't they?

Gee's this is too hard. It just seems to bring up so many good dogs that have gone to heaven. I feel for you and your two dogs, and you with the grand pa's poodle. It is so amazing that these dogs were blessings in disgise.

We have had a lot of dogs in our day as we raised and trained dogs (shepherds) for Police Services. Well one day I received a call from Detroit Police K-9 We need three dogs now. I said okay I have 3 females. I will get them into the vets for the x-rays and bring them out.

So I would put Raven, Dana, and Teka in the car. While at the vets we would start off with Dana. This dog was a dream in its self. She would occupy my daughters time playing stick and caring on like she was the CREAM OF THE CROP" Well Dana would be first to be x-rayed/ I am,always in the rooms when the vets do their work. So Here Dana was laying on the table. I took one look at her and new. The Dr had taken one x-ray already. So I picked her up and said your done for now girl. Dr. Jim said no leave her there I need a few other pic's. I looked at him and said nope you have what you need.

I placed her on the floor and held her. When the vet came up to tell me the bad news. Dana had a 4th degree hip on both sides and the speers were already showing arthritis. I looked at him and said put her down. He looked at me and said your sure. I said yes I will not allow any of my dogs suffer.

I went home with the two other dogs that had cleared their x-rays with 150% Then had to tell my daughter what had happened. Steph just wailed and cryed like no tomorrow. My husband was getting ready to go to work and Steph at 8 yrs old said to her dad.

Daddy when you are going down the street and you happen to see Dana. Sitting at the corner can you stop pick her up and bring her home. Daddy she really wants to come home and she is waiting at that corner for you. Daddy can you help her come home PLEASE.

You know that this tore our hearts apart to hear our Mentally Challanged child go through this. These kids get some much from the dogs and cats that come into their lives. Its very hard on them to let go. I know that I had to do what was best for our girl Dana. But by doing so we would devistate our child at the same time. Just aweful

[SeniorPetLover]

When one of my dogs pass, I always let the others sniff their body before internment or cremation, provided they pass away at home...I think dogs are very astute...they know when something is wrong, but they are much more quick to deal with their grief than I am...I mourn for days...

[Ashlea]

I had 2 dogs as a child. Jess and Kim. Jess was 5 years older then Kim. She started to show her age at 14 and we were gearing ourselves up for "the day". Kim surpised us all by being diagnosed with full lymphatic cancer. We had her put to sleep. Jess stopped eating and passed with help a month later. She gave up. I still cry for my girls.

[DanL]

My Dad's dog definitely was mourning after he died. She laid on the rug by the front door for days waiting for him to come home. She basically pined away and her health failed and we had to have her put down about 2 months after he died. It was so sad, we all felt bad for her but there was little we could do to help her.

My husband hads Uncle had a Pit bull real nice girl. She would end up sick and have to be put down. Not a month latter his Uncle ended up dieng due to his heart break for the lose of his dog. Wow when you think of the bonds that we as humans have for their animals and the same for the animals for the humans. No wonder we call it unconditional love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I do believe that dogs grieve on some level. When Misty, my Siberian Husky was hit by a car, Princess would go into her crate, and just lay there for hours....she hardly ate. She'd scratch at the door to be let out, and just sniff around the yard, looking for her....2 years later, Princess also passed away. She had an anurism. She was our only dog at the time, so we didn't have any other dogs to grieve her, but we certainly did. It hurts to go out where she died....I picture her laying there. My heart stops everytime I look out there. We give her fresh flowers every month (it takes that long to build up the courage to go out where she was buried). I was hysterical when my mom started covering her with dirt. I was hysterical that entire day. I couldn't even talk about it. Now I can, but I still get teary eyed....that was over 6mo ago. It's so hard to lose a pet, but even harder to live without one. I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't had my doggies.

[bubbatd]

Such a sad thread ............. yes, they do grieve , but seem to handle it better than we humans do . As to EliN's post ... Hunter and Chip seemed to know Eli wasn't going to last long that morning ( I sure didn't ) , so they handled it better than I . Please keep us posted .

[gulliver]

I'm so sorry I didn't aknowledge your responses in this thread. I did read them and they have helped. Thank you.

I'm having him euthanized in the next few days, and maybe his buddy will handle it ok. They've helped me foster several dogs in the last years so , dogs come and go and they're used to that. They are so quiet and content with each other it really worked well. I'll let Gulliver choose another friend when we're up to it.

[LareP]

This has been around for a long time. It always helps when I lose
one of my dogs, an essential part of my family. I still to this day,
after many many years, cannot read it without a tear coming to
my eye.

I pray it will help you as well.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to
someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so
they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends
are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to
health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made
whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our
dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left
behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one
suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly
he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass,
his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special
friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion,
never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress
the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes
of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from
your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[JFrick]

Oh yeah, dogs grieve. I've seen it a few times. B.H. and Eddie grieved for a while after Molly passed, and B.H. was really bad when Eddie passed. I guess it wasn't as bad for them when Molly died since they still had each other, but when Eddie went, B.H. grieved for about 2 weeks. Same way as others have described, wouldn't eat much (didn't eat at all for the first 2 or 3 days) and moaped around......