Kingdom of Pets

Posted by Shado22
Oct 26, 2009

In August I lost my mother-in-law to Cancer. She really didn't like us having a dog but we weren't about to give him up seeing as though we rescued him from a shelter, and we had him before she moved in with us. Anyways, apparently our dog got attached to her and always kept an eye on her wherever she went.

The problem we are having with him at this time is that he will sit and stare at us or her bedroom for 10 minutes or more at a time. He will even creep up and just sit there. Sometimes it's as if he will just jump in your lap he gets so close. Even though we pet him and talk to him it just doesn't seem to be any good.

We don't know what to do to get him out of this ? habit or if this is his way of handling the grief.

Any suggestions would be most appreciative. Thanks for listening.

Posted by kjd
Oct 26, 2009

Sounds as if he is grieving. (And I bet your mother appreciated him before she died, even though she might not have been willing to ever admit it!) Can you take him to a class or something? Or maybe take him out for a good walk when he starts to grieve. Remind him their are reasons to be happy in this world.

Posted by Shado22
Oct 27, 2009

Thank you, that's what we thought. Will try the walk ~ usually we play ball with him.

Posted by kjd
Oct 27, 2009

Let us know how things turn out. Sometimes it takes a while. I've had rescue dogs that took up to a year to get over their change in circumstance.

Posted by blue-moose
Oct 31, 2009

Although your post is a little old, I want to reply as I just joined and wanted to tell you what we do. We have a dog daycare and we have a program called the "walk a person" program. We match dogs and folks in our community and get them walking. Dogs do better when they have a job, and so they "walk" the people. The elders that come and do this with us LOVE it. You might find a neighbor or someone in the community that needs exercise and doesn't get much, and set a time to put them together. You'll be amazed at how it will help both your dog and your "person" feel needed and loved. Good Luck!

Posted by Shado22
Nov 2, 2009

Thank you for the info. My only trouble to the walking is that it happens in the early hours of the morning (between 2am - 5am). Besides, I'm the one that would do the walking...I need the exercise.

Puppy acting strange