Grieving Dog


Background:

I am seeking some feedback if anyone has had experience with bonded pairs. Thank you!

We have been fortunate to love 2 x almost 10 year old female Pyrs.

One was the biggest female in the litter and her sister the runt. They were born on a sheep farm in our local area. We never planned to bring home both, but have never regretted it.

Our girls have had a life of camping, hiking, hanging out on the beach (tie-outs) and lots of general 'guarding companionship' hanging out on our property and our large deck overlooking the forest as well as smaller spaces like our condo.

2 months ago we had to say good bye to one of them.

The surviving dog is grieving. Freya is eating and toileting but is refusing to walk distances away from our home, sniffing every square inch of ground...and sleeps more than usual.

She get more pep in her step when we have had play dates.
We have an unplanned opportunity to rescue a 2.5 yr old male Pyr. (who just melted our hearts)

The introduction went very well. But people are saying that this may be unfair to our surviving dog - that she may suffer if attention is given to another dog.

Does anyone in this forum has experience to share?

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Apr 02, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Another dog?
by: anon

Here is a small article in Dogs Naturally.

#1 Grief

Dogs can grieve just like we do.

If your dogs are especially close, you may notice grieving in your dog when the other dies. Sometimes dogs may pick up on their owner’s feelings. But other times you will notice behavior changes in your dog that show she’s grieving the loss of her best buddy.

Or your dog may grieve the loss of a human. This can happen even if a close family member is away in hospital for a while.

Homeopathic Remedy for Depression Due To Grief

If your dog is depressed because he’s grieving the loss of a family member, the homeopathic remedy Ignatia amara may help. Buy a 30C potency, and give your dog a dose (1 pellet) once a day for about 3 days. Ignatia is a remedy that helps with any symptoms that arise from grief.

Here is an article from Old Dog Haven that may help.
Apr 03, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Grieving - Another Dog?
by: Anonymous

We can speak from long experience that choosing a new companion for your lovely girl will be a win-win situation.
You know her character so well by now and she has shown you that she experiences happiness during her play-dates with other dogs. So, take that as your cue. The choice of a new companion must be as much hers as yours. She is an old lady so she will have her own particulars about things. If the 2 1/2yr old male has been neutered and living with other canines, ask first if you can take him home for at least 2 weeks. Problems will show up quickly and your priority has to be her. If all goes well and she is relaxed with him every minute, in all your 'at home' situations and is
actively choosing to be near/with him...A+!
Above all, always follow pack protocol. Set it up for success. She is #1 dog, a new dog will be coming into HER den and interacting with HER people (you are a part of her pack, too) This simply means, she gets everything first...
everything. Food, water, huggies, doorways, her choice of where to lounge, all of it. Just make this an unbreakable rule/habit. As might happen, new habits for your new dog. But he will understand all believe me and they will both be quite comfortable with this. All of your new dogs cues will include smell, body position/outline, emotions (mostly human! both hers and yours) and a younger dogs energy level.
Good luck with this transition! We have had in our life with dogs a succession of good, good dogs as each young one was mentored (with your support) by the older dog. And always, doing this gave our old dogs much joy!
Jun 21, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Anonymous is correct
by: Anonymous

Anonymous in the comment above is correct. We had had 2 sets of bonded pairs.

Adding 2 additional more specific items. 1. Sometimes it is hard to pair an older dog with a younger dog if the younger dog is too high energy/playful. So you need to supportive and provide an energy outlet for the younger dog. 2. Any fuss over resources, you need to step in and support your older dog and let her know it. :-)

Wishing you only the best.

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