Help needed or advice very sad

My_chestnut_mare

My_chestnut_mare

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sorry have posted in dogs but not many people viewing

My friends dog Hugo a 4 year old boxer died on saturday after noon very suddenly. He has had heart problems and did have a name for it but it was still a shock for her as she was up at the horses and he went down but this time didnt get up and was dead instantly.

But the problem is she also has a 6 year old black lab and he is just running round the house looking for him and is really depressed.

Does anybody know what or how to help the poor thing?

Please please help much appreciated.
 
Other than getting a companion for the lab I don't really know what to say.

(((HUGS))) for your friend.
frown.gif
 
How horrible. Sounds like pining in a way.

Maybe give the labbie the boxers bed blankets so at least the labbie has the scent of the boxer. Other than that lots of love and attention to the labbie to try and comfort him.
 
Hey I lost my Staffie very suddenly back in August.
I also have a deaf collie who was very reliant on him and at the time it was horrific. My collie just lay in the staffies spot where he died and refused to move.
With a lot of attention and time he has moved on. The most important thing is to allow the dog to greive in his own way. Mine looked for his friend for a week or so. Getting them active lots of toy time helped.
It is hearbreaking to watch your dog look for a friend but in time they do get over it.
I would only seek the companion option if she really wants another dog. I thought about doing that and if things hadn't improved we would of. I know have a very happy collie (who can have all his toys as my Staffie ate them all the time.
Things truthfully will improve
TLC and attention will go a long way
 
The dog will wonder what has happened but will not last forever. I don't think leaving scented items around for the lab is a good idea, it is just a reminder of 'who' has dissapeared, rather than the feeling that something is not quite right.

Although not exactly the same (and I have a dog also) but one of my cats went missing in May and my other cat was frantic for weeks, meowing all the time and looking for her. Luckily the dog is taking care of him now and he still meows alot but he is happy. I removed the other cats bed and this seemed to help as he could no longer smell her and gradually her scent has faded and he is ok now.

Remember the dog whisperer's saying, that dogs live in the now - if you allow the dog to mourn and take pity for too long it will never move on, you have to help the dog move on and see that things are going to be ok.
 
I had a similar situation. One of my beautiful black labradors died suddenly of a heart attack, my other black lab Sonny was gutted - but then so was I and my O/H. It took a good 2 weeks for Sonny to start to pick himself up - and even longer for us humans. So I think the only answer is time and love and actually showing a bit of 'leadership' to the dog.

If you can take a little bit more time out to take the lab for lovely walks, etc, it does help. I guess in their world, they have lost their 'leader' and have to stuggle with the problem of now becoming top dog and the stress that can entail, so if your friend could be kind but reasonably assertive then that should take some of the fear away from the lab.
 
A few years ago I had a JR that died when he was only 2 years old, it was horrific, I walked in the house and found him dead under the coffee table. I had two other dogs at the time so they had each other. Best bet is to get him a companion!
 
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