Need some experienced advice please.

GonzoAston · 28 May 2009 at 12:20AM

Hi

Basically I had to have Aston PTS last week. Its been coming on a while, but havent wanted to talk about it. He had spleen cancer and bowel tumors. He was doing well until a few weeks ago, then went down hill rappidly. Its been really upsetting, so dont want to dwell on that.

My question is:

Gonzo has been a bit lost without him. He keeps looking around, and hasnt been himself (dont know if this is just me transfering(sp?) onto him).

I dont know whether I should get another dog, at leasnt for Gonzo's sake, to have a compannion again. Again, this may be just me thinking too much.

Do you think a dog would get used to being on their own? Or would you get a compannion for him?

I wouldnt rush into lightly btw. I would do it all properly, and find one that Gonz gets on with, and that suited us all.

Has anyone else done this?

ETA: Im just wanting to weigh up peoples experiences. So as to make the best decission.

marshallka · 28 May 2009 at 6:57AM

GonzoAston wrote: »

Hi

Basically I had to have Aston PTS last week. Its been coming on a while, but havent wanted to talk about it. He had spleen cancer and bowel tumors. He was doing well until a few weeks ago, then went down hill rappidly. Its been really upsetting, so dont want to dwell on that.

My question is:

Gonzo has been a bit lost without him. He keeps looking around, and hasnt been himself (dont know if this is just me transfering(sp?) onto him).

I dont know whether I should get another dog, at leasnt for Gonzo's sake, to have a compannion again. Again, this may be just me thinking too much.

Do you think a dog would get used to being on their own? Or would you get a compannion for him?

I wouldnt rush into lightly btw. I would do it all properly, and find one that Gonz gets on with, and that suited us all.

Has anyone else done this?

ETA: Im just wanting to weigh up peoples experiences. So as to make the best decission.

So sorry for your situation right now. I know a neighbour down the road who was in this dilemma (we ourselves will be one day) and they got another dog cause their one left behind was so depressed. It is a hard one and I am sure you will make the right decision.

How old is Gonzo. I certainly would not get a pup for my older dog maybe as they can sometimes be a bit too "playful". If i considered any dog then it would be a slightly older rescue dog and i bet there are dogs in rescue that have come from similar situations too and have been used to another dog.

xx

lowis · 28 May 2009 at 9:31AM

i faced the same situation with my cats last year. one died, leaving her brother of 13 years behind, alone. he did not like being alone during the day and became very vocal when i got in from work, and he became exceptionally clingy too. i decided to get him a friend, of the same age and same breed. i thought a kitten or young cat would be too much for him to get used to, so found a 14yo siamese who needed a home. they are the best of buddies now and the clingy/disturbed behaviour stopped the day i got him his new friend - it was quite a remarkable transformation!

if you get him a friend from a rescue place, explain the situation, if things don't work out i think rescues have to take the dog/cat back.

good luck.

foreign_correspondent · 28 May 2009 at 11:30AM

sorry to hear that - its a sad time for you and your remaining dog.

Firstly, your remaining dog will grieve, of course, just like we do really. We once had a JRT that nearly starved himself when his pal (a massive golden retriever) died - he went off hs food and kept looking for Bob. However, he did get over it.

If you are used to having two dogs and would be happy to take on another, why not think about speaking to your local rescue (when the time is right) and see if there are any suitable dogs in, and consider going down to see how they and Aston get along?

There are often a few teething troubles when introducing new dogs, but I think most dogs enjoy having company, especially when they are used to having a pal to play with!

GonzoAston · 28 May 2009 at 11:14PM

Thanks for your replies

Gonzo is 6. I just wasnt sure whether I was thinking too much about him being lonely, and worrying etc.

He's eating ok, but he's used to canine company. I think in a few weeks or so, maybe look into fostering for my local dogs home, and see how we go from there.

Knowing me, id want to keep them all, which I just couldnt do. I think I will give them a call over the next few weeks and discuss it all with them, and see how we go.

Thanks for your help

Always appreciated.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted · 29 May 2009 at 11:24PM

How about just socialising with other dogs, like a walking group (they have them near my MIL) for the next few months whilst he and you both get over the change? Fostering might be a bit much at first. Then once you are both ready, you can start looking again.

Best wishes.

coolio_2 · 1 June 2009 at 11:57AM

Too late now but in case someone else reads this in a similar situation, you can always try and have an animal PTS at home, then allow other pets to see the body and apparantly that sometimes helps them understand they are gone, as opposed to just gone missing one day.

Good luck OP

lowis · 1 June 2009 at 12:08PM

coolio wrote: »

Too late now but in case someone else reads this in a similar situation, you can always try and have an animal PTS at home, then allow other pets to see the body and apparantly that sometimes helps them understand they are gone, as opposed to just gone missing one day.

Good luck OP

i did this when i had one of mine PTS, i let her brother discover her body - I placed her on the floor in the middle of the lounge - not somewhere she would normally lay down. he sat by her and then washed her for about an hour from head to toe, and then he cuddled against her and just lay there, not actually sleeping, but just being with her.

i am sure he definitely understood something 'final' had happened. in the following weeks he did not pine for her like he did the time she 'disappeared' for an 8 day stay at the vets - he semed visibly depressed that time, his head hung low and lethargic. this didn't happen after she 'disappeared' the second time (died), he did get lonely though and became incredibly clingy and vocal.

GonzoAston · 3 June 2009 at 2:39AM

lowis wrote: »

i did this when i had one of mine PTS, i let her brother discover her body - I placed her on the floor in the middle of the lounge - not somewhere she would normally lay down. he sat by her and then washed her for about an hour from head to toe, and then he cuddled against her and just lay there, not actually sleeping, but just being with her.

i am sure he definitely understood something 'final' had happened. in the following weeks he did not pine for her like he did the time she 'disappeared' for an 8 day stay at the vets - he semed visibly depressed that time, his head hung low and lethargic. this didn't happen after she 'disappeared' the second time (died), he did get lonely though and became incredibly clingy and vocal.

I know that it was a hard time for you, but the first part is so sweet. I never actually thought of having it done at home (duh) it didnt even occur to me. Thanks for that advice though coolio and lowis

I think if I ever have to do this in the future, and if its ok to do it, I would prefer that, to being PTS at the vets.

lowis · 3 June 2009 at 9:26AM

Hi GonzoAston

Hope you are bearing up OK...I am sure you are still feeling the loss badly.

I have had a few pets over the years and this was the first time I thought about having one PTS at home...I suppose because she had cancer and was in remission for 18 months, I kind of knew that the inevitable would happen sooner rather than later so naturally did think a lot about 'the end' and how i could make it as comfortable as possible. I spoke to my vet well in advance and he told me the services they offered, he also advised me of the options for cremation - i had no idea you could actually attend a pet cremation and wait for the ashes! I guess in this instance i was just able to prepare myself a little better, sometimes in the rush of grief, if you are unprepared, you kind of just go along with what is being done, you just don't even think to ask about alternatives.

x

coolio_2 · 3 June 2009 at 7:14PM

lowis wrote: »

i did this when i had one of mine PTS, i let her brother discover her body - I placed her on the floor in the middle of the lounge - not somewhere she would normally lay down. he sat by her and then washed her for about an hour from head to toe, and then he cuddled against her and just lay there, not actually sleeping, but just being with her.

i am sure he definitely understood something 'final' had happened. in the following weeks he did not pine for her like he did the time she 'disappeared' for an 8 day stay at the vets - he semed visibly depressed that time, his head hung low and lethargic. this didn't happen after she 'disappeared' the second time (died), he did get lonely though and became incredibly clingy and vocal.

This may sound perverse, but what a heartwarming story

Need some experienced advice please.

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