Saying Goodbye to Pack Matriarch

Question

We had to have our old Rottiegirl euthanized a week and a half ago. I felt our mini-dachshund
was grieving normally as other dogs have - sleeping a lot ... going directly to Holly's favorite
snoozing spot when ever we came home. What I didn't expect was her reaction when we had to take Zahn (year old male rottie) into the vets to have porcupine quills removed. She became absolutely hysterical when we returned to the truck without him. We couldn't get her to stop barking or to settle down in our laps while we waited for the clinic to fit him into morning surgery. This barking was panic stricken, not at all her usual - and get this, home-made bickies didn't even get her attention!

She didn't react this way when we lost a male rottie last year; it was like the dogs knew he was
gone even before we made it to the vet.

So my question seems to be about helping Little Bit cope with the humans taking away a little
dachshund's beloved auntie Holly and not returning with her. It was a little scary - in all my years with dogs this is the first time this has happened.

May-be your thoughts on this can help others facing saying good-bye to a pack matriarch.

Suzanne

Answer

Suzanne,

I am sorry that your little dog is having such a hard time with this. Just like humans, dogs grieve in different ways and for different lengths of time, they just cannot verbalize their 
feelings. Paying her extra attention and engaging in her favorite activities may help her get over 
her grief. Sometimes getting a new puppy can alleviate this type (as well as other types) of 
separation anxiety. Otherwise, the old adage, "time heals all wounds" applies here as well.



Good luck to you and your little dog,

Sara F. Jennen DVM