Sad Doggy!

[DMancini]

Hi All

Anybody out there who can share experiences on the following.....

We had two boxers (girl/boy), not related, but had been together from pups for 8 years and never been without each other.

Two weeks ago we lost my boy suddenly and my girl seems very lost and quite sad without him, well we all are missing him dreadfully.

Question is do I look for another dog?? ...... or do we just give her time (and us) to adjust to life without him?

thanks in advance

 

[GirlFriday]

I think you get another dog if you want one. It isn't a replacement, but it might be a welcome distraction. Obviously either an older one that can be returned (to rescue?) if it doesn't settle with your girl or a pup who will benefit from having an older dog around if you/she have time/energy/inclination.

If you don't want another dog (e.g are looking forward to having freer holiday choices in a few years) then you and your girl will adjust with time. You probably have doggie friends (almost inevitable I find!) so make sure your girl gets the odd walk in company and just enjoy each other.

Edited to add: and sorry to hear of your loss. I focussed on answering your question which isn't always the most important thing!

 

[splashgirl45]

really feel for you. i lost my lurcher in september and was prepared to get another dog if my collie cross needed a friend. she saw my lurcher after the vet had PTS and seemed to accept that she was gone. i was so devastated at the loss of my special girl and was thankful that i didnt have to get another immediately. it took me 6 months before i could face getting another and i now realise that my collie cross did miss having a friend....but it would have been a mistake for me to get another dog straight away....hope this helps,

 

[Chiffy]

So sorry for your loss.
Years ago I was left with one dog who was very miserable. She didn't do anything wrong, she would stay at home alone, but she had no sparkle and just walked by my side when taken out.
We adopted a rescue which solved the problem immediately and gave us something to focus on too. That little rescue became a dog of a lifetime and stayed for 15 years.

 

[Moobli]

I think you get another dog if you want one. It isn't a replacement, but it might be a welcome distraction. Obviously either an older one that can be returned (to rescue?) if it doesn't settle with your girl or a pup who will benefit from having an older dog around if you/she have time/energy/inclination.

If you don't want another dog (e.g are looking forward to having freer holiday choices in a few years) then you and your girl will adjust with time. You probably have doggie friends (almost inevitable I find!) so make sure your girl gets the odd walk in company and just enjoy each other.

Edited to add: and sorry to hear of your loss. I focussed on answering your question which isn't always the most important thing!

So sorry for the loss of your boy

I echo the thoughts of GF entirely.

 

[Roxylola]

So sorry for your loss.
Years ago I was left with one dog who was very miserable. She didn't do anything wrong, she would stay at home alone, but she had no sparkle and just walked by my side when taken out.
We adopted a rescue which solved the problem immediately and gave us something to focus on too. That little rescue became a dog of a lifetime and stayed for 15 years.

Sorry for your loss it is always hard and seeing your dog grieve too is ever so sad.
Mine too, my beagle was a sad little only dog when I lost my elderly Labrador. Despite many experienced people telling me not to get a pup as she was still young (18 months old), or not to rush to get another dog at all and use the solo time to make her more focused on me, I got a springer pup whom she adored from the off. They are a happy little pair, my only regret is that chances are I am likely to lose them both at a similar time (far in the future I hope). I think my girl was an only dog for a month or two at most and like Chiffy's dog she is just a lost little love on her own.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

So sorry for your loss

We thought our 7 year old springer would be unhappy without his brother so got 2 pups 2 weeks after, dumb to get 2, I know and probably far more for us than him. He would happily have been a lone dog and we would have had far less hassle over the years.

Having said that, I think dogs should have company. I just spoke to the other springer owner in the street who says she howls constantly when left. Such a shame for the dog.

I think 18 months is a fab age to get another pup, your current one is surely settled and mostly trained.