Grieving German Shepherd

[LindaM]

I am sorry for you loss. You are right, as well as the loss we have to make the decision too, usually. I let my little cavvie live one night too long and very much regretted that, silly vet could have helped me too.

I have no advice I'm sorry. Even my daughter's rats grieve for each other. If it is PTS at the vets then she will bring it home and put it the cage with the others and they will sniff if for a new hours or even sleep curled up with it. Then she removes it when they have lost interest.

I can see how another dog or cat will just not know where their friend has gone and it must be confusing.

I haven't lost a shepherd but I've lost other dogs and it really hurts so very much.

Thinking of you and your other two sheps.

Linda

[Moobli]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Barklee. It is never an easy decision to make and I am sure there are many of us who felt terrible guilt after our dog was pts - I know I did Even though deep down you know it is the right thing to do. Like you, I also felt I had "killed" my dog It is just so hard. So, firstly big hugs to you.

As far as your other dogs go, I think I would personally just give them time to grieve. Perhaps a bit of extra one to one attention, extra walks and play or a special new toy may help pull your girl out of her depression. I would also be tempted to let her sleep upstairs if she settles. If you don't mind her sleeping upstairs anyway, then there is no real problem and it could be that she just wants your company.

It is such a difficult time, but (as cliched as it sounds) time really is a great healer. I don't think you ever really get over the loss of a much loved pet, you just learn to cope with the pain a bit better.

Hugs x

[Stuart]

I am realy sorry to hear this.

I think that the best thing is for you to give lots of attention and get him out as much as you can, try to keep his mind off the fact that his mate is not around,..it may help you a little too.

Before we had the three dogs we have now, we had a Border Collie called Buck, and the old Bearded Collie Jake which we still have now.

Buck was a lot older than Jake, and when he had to be put down, we asked about how this might effect Jake, and the vet suggested we took Buck home, and let Jake see him.

This we did, and Jake laid down by Buck for the rest of that day/night,.. the next morning I took Buck out and buried him in our garden,...I could never tell for sure, but think it helped Jake a lot, he did cry a few times, but he didnt go looking for him

I know that this is not a lot of use to you now

[gsdmags]

I am so sorry for your loss of Barklee xxx
It is hard to know what is the "right advice" in this situation, as you go on by the actions/behaviour of your own dogs, and the grieving process is different for everyone, even your four legged companions.
We lost our two dogs a week apart, Phoebe our oldest was left, missing her companions, none of our dogs went upstairs, but, we did notice changes with Phoebe, and what we did was leave the door open for access to the stairs and she did come up, and just sit for a wee while then went down, and later she came up again and would have a wee sleep, then go down to her bed at night, what she needed was company, and knowing that she could if she wanted to be with us.
Hope all these suggestions will help you and your Family at this sad time x

[kelpiemad]

So sorry for your loss I have heard that the homeopathic remedy Ignatia is very good for grief a friend of mine swear by it but i have never tried it

[Sylvieliz]

I am so sorry for the loss of your dog its never an easy decision to make but a good owner will always put their own feelings aside and you so bravely did and do the last act of kindness you can for your dog.

Your other dog is grieving as is natural, let her come upstairs if it eases her grief. Her routine is upset by the loss of Barklee anyway. She is looking for him thats why she wants to make sure he is not outside and comes to you for reassurance.

By comforting her you may well comfort yourself. Take care (((HUGS)))

[Bonniesmummy]

So so sorry for your loss xxx

[laney]

Jo , please dont beat yourself up , Barklee was 15 yrs old !! thats amazing for a shepherd and is testiment to how much he was cared for and loved , what u are feeling is completely normal , its hard to accept honey but its just plain , good old fashioned grief . Cry your heart out , cuddle the others and eventually u will only remember the good times , I was in the same situation myself when I lost my Bair in september , Id like to tell u it gets easy soon but I still cry every day , I went thru the whole guilt thing as well and still now have moments where I doubt my decision , but in my heart of hearts I know it was right . My 2yr old boy didnt cope very well at all losing her , very depressed , wouldnt eat , looking for her all the time , she went at home and his reaction shocked me , he jumped away from her like he was terrified , the vet said he could smell the anaestic , I prefer to think it was at that exact moment her little soul left . Well im crying again !! sorry not much help to you , I ended up getting another boy and Mowgli is happy again , I think they just need time to adapt , just like you , they will also be picking up on the fact that u are distressed and be worrying about u , lots of cuddles for all 3 of you Lxx

[Christie48]

I'm so sorry for your loss but you did the right thing for your Barklee. It is so hard a decision to make, but it is the last thing we can do for them, is make sure they don't suffer.