I have never done that and always took the dog to the vet. I truly don't know if having the other dog(s) see there buddy gone will help or not. I have always gotten rid of the departed dogs bedding and cleaned up his/her crate and sometimes rearranged all the other crates. My biggest thing was to spend more time simply holding and petting all the other dogs. Sorry to hear of you problem and my heart goes out to you and yours
Wolfie
I always let the other dogs see the one who passed. I really they they understand. It has to be hard on them losing someone they lived with for so many years. I think they wonder where the one went. I noticed when I did this when Mack died, the other dogs didn't seem as depressed.
I think our dogs have a sense about death of a friend. They seem to understand and accept better than we humans do. I do know they do greive as much as we do and they also need time to adjust. My heartfelt sympathy. I hope this helps.
First off, I sympathize for what you are going through right now. I now what a hard time this is for you.
My dogs and cat have become sad and depressed when their friends have moved on. In the case with the cat, Lance, his friend died in the house during the night. The dogs have passed at the vet's office. I think they know that their friend is sick but they still don't understand why they don't come back.
Giving them lots of love, changing their patterns and time is what helps them to heal.
I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I have worked for several vets over the years and I think most of them would probably say that you should allow your dogs canine companion to say goodbye.
My rottweiler, TJ, died at home. The other dogs were in the house and they wanted out just before he passed. They even woke up my daughter who was sleeping on the couch to go out. It was around two am. They knew.
I would let Sadie stay. She will know what is going on. Sometimes animals are close and at others they will not even want to come close no matter what. Let her choose
I want to also give my condolences. This is harder on us than them. We are giving that last true gift. The gift of no more pain. But it is never easy for us. I will keep you all in my prayers.
There used to be an animal communicator on TV - don't remember the name of the program - but she always said we should always tell our pets what was going on - they understand much more than we think..
I don't think they necessarily have to be present to know that their companion is leaving this life.
I'm sorry for your loss - its never easy.
I am so sorry, I know it is really hard.
We had to take ours to the vet, so his buddy didn't get to say goodbye. I could tell he was concerned. The empty harness seemed to say it all. He kept nosing it and seemed to understand.
When we got a puppy a few months later and had to take him in to be fixed, they gave us his collar. When I bought the empty collar back to the car my other dog got really upset. That was when I realized that he knew what the empty harness had meant and thought the same was happening with the puppy. I tried to tell him, but who knows if he understood. When we picked the puppy up and he came out wearing his collar again the other dog was sure happy.
I think they do understand. Probably letting the other dog come in and say goodbye is a good idea and if she doesn't want to then you will have your answer.
Sounds like you've gotten lots of advice already. We've only had one pet die at home, and my Shiloh didn't seem to notice one way or another. But it was our older poodle, Misty, who was blind, deaf, incontinent and senile, so Shiloh probably felt like the rest of us: that the Misty we knew had already left a long time before her body did. Besides, they always hated each other! But when our other poodle died, we took him to the vets to be put to sleep. They were very good friends, and she looked for him for a long long time, ev en though I believe she knew he was very sick. Perhaps your vet can advise you the best thing to do for Sadie. That is so nice that he is coming to the house so your babe can be in her familiar surroundings.
I am so sorry you've had to make this painful decision. It is one I will probably have to make sooner rather than later for my Shiloh, who has bladder cancer.
Peace.
My vet said different people do different things...do what's best for you. So, I thank you all so much for all your comments. If only we had crystal balls to know if we are doing the right thing or not. And, I was afraid I was doing this a little too soon but I think a little too soon is better than too late & she suffers because I couldn't let go.
