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Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / Loss of my much loved girl
- By GSP girl [gb] Date 27.03.16 09:27 UTC
Very sadly we lost our girl, which has been devastating for us all.
My young lad is finding it hard to cope, although he's very much a mummies boy, he misses her very much particularly when I have to leave him on his own. Having had both my dogs from eight weeks of age, there was a five year gap, consequently he has never been on his own till now.
He gets himself in such a pickle and extremely stressed. I have kept him to his usual routine and also tried the Adaptil plug in, which has had no effect on him
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated , on how I can make him feel better.
- By chaumsong Date 27.03.16 09:56 UTC Upvotes 1
Ah sorry for your loss. In stressful situations like fireworks I've had great success with zylkene so I'd try that now. I've never found adaptil to be of any use. In the long term though I suspect you need to get another dog, you might considering fostering as a short term measure while you wait/look around for the perfect new addition?
- By MamaBas [gb] Date 27.03.16 10:09 UTC Upvotes 1
First of all GSP, so sorry for your loss.  And even more so when you have another left behind who is understandably very upset (and picking up on your vibes!).   We only had this situation when we lost the second-last of our bloodline - before then, the comings and goings within our small pack, were just part of the cycle of life and accepted.   These two were litter mates (as so many of mine were over the years as we always ran on at least 2, and both usually stayed!) but quite how close they were, brother and sister, I didn't realise until he was left.   Coupled with the fact he'd never lived as a single hound, from the moment he was born.   He was distraught.   And so was I because we lost her to cancer after an over the year battle, and far from good veterinary back up!    Fact is not only did I not want just one hound, he clearly wasn't going to cope so almost immediately we set about finding him a companion.   And at the time, switched breeds to something taller and lighter!   It took 4 months before she joined us at 9 weeks of age, but by then, he'd really started to accept the situation and enjoyed being taken everywhere with us rather than being left alone at home (or we didn't go!).   And I don't think he really welcomed what was a totally different breed - Whippet and Basset?????    Before she came to us, he'd started being very difficult on walks - when another dog as much as looked at him, up went his hackles.  Not typical for a Basset!

My best advice, if this would be on the agenda for you, is to start a project for a companion for him.   No guarantees it will work of course, but it's worth a try I think.

ps   With us, we have used Kalm Aid with success - although I didn't think to try this with my loss, above.
- By saxonjus Date 27.03.16 14:53 UTC Upvotes 1
My sincere condolences on your sad news. Time is a great healer.
- By sillysue Date 27.03.16 15:45 UTC Upvotes 1
So very very sorry, my heart aches for you
- By JeanSW Date 27.03.16 18:17 UTC Upvotes 2
So very sorry, 

Run free at the bridge special girl.  xx
- By gsdowner Date 27.03.16 18:55 UTC Upvotes 1
so very sorry for your loss
- By debbo198 [eu] Date 27.03.16 19:39 UTC Upvotes 1
I am so sorry for your loss.  I lost my Heidi last November and asked a similar question as you, although my remaining dog was only 9 months when she passed.
I have usually had 2-3 dogs (I lost my 17 yr old 18 months before) I worried about my pup grieving as there were changes in his behaviour - she was a great role model for him.
I agree with what Mamabas has said - pretty much what was said to me.
I have found the time spent on a 1:1_basis has reenforced our bond and given us time to grieve and grow together.  I also used the time to look for a suitable companion who we've had for a month now. He's a puppy and a completely different breed - I wouldn't have been able to get another of her breed so soon.  That's just me - she was so special to me ...
- By GSP girl [gb] Date 28.03.16 14:36 UTC
Thank you Chaumsong,I'll give zylkene a go.
- By GSP girl [gb] Date 28.03.16 14:58 UTC
Thank you Mamabas. I'm sorry to hear you lost your girl after a long battle with cancer, my girl did not have the best of health, but like you I had very good veterinary care, coupled with the bravest dog I've known, we knew her issues could not be fixed permanently, but I knew if I could keep her tail wagging and give her the best quality of life. she was 11 which was truly remarkable. Having to make the decision to let her go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
I think you maybe right on us getting another addition for our lad may well be what we will do, but at the moment it is too soon for me.
- By mixedpack [gb] Date 29.03.16 15:18 UTC
So very sorry for you, it never seems to get any easier, we lost our oldie and her daughter was very unhappy for several months even though we had 2 other dogs in the household, she had relied on her mum for backup and looked for her support, it will get easier for you both, perhaps you could try getting out and about, maybe take up a new challenge in training or "pack walking" with suitable friends.
- By GSP girl [gb] Date 29.03.16 15:27 UTC
Thank you mixed pack.
I am thinking about showing him again, something we both very much enjoyed a few years ago.
Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / Loss of my much loved girl

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