How can I make things better for Lily?

[Mayblossom]

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After losing our beautiful Molly 3 weeks ago my little Lils is a very sad girl, they were together for over 9 years so her whole life has been turned upside down, so hard as she doesn’t know why she never came home again. This confident little terrier who loved being sociable with every dog we met is now shaking when we meet one and wants to run away, doesn’t want to go out or eat like she used to. Having to put her in her long lead to get her to go anywhere, breaking my heart to see her like this. It’s only been 3 weeks I know but will she come to terms with it eventually, hubby and me still have a few tears and we know why Molls isn’t here , feel for this little girl,so much as I type through my tears

 

[JoanneF]

Poor girl, it's heartbreaking all over again. Maybe an Adaptil collar might take the edge off?

 

[Mayblossom]

You’re so right Jo, feels like I’m losing both of them, might have a look at the collar for her , thank you x

 

[JudyN]

I've no advice, but just wanted to give both Lily and you a hug. It must be so hard for you to see her so sad.

 

[Mayblossom]

Thanks Judy, so difficult to see her so sad.

 

[2dogs1cat]

My girl was very sad when her companion died . She was with us as we had the old one put to sleep and sniffed her as she lay peacefully.
It seemed as though she lost all her confidence really. Our remedy was to get another dog, she loves him and is so enthusiastic to run and walk with him.
I know it's not feasible for everyone but for us the change has been a dramatic improvement.

 

[JoanneF]

It's so sad, but doesn't it really show how deeply animals feel emotion.

 

[Janer]

No advise but it’s early days yet, hopefully she will come through her grieving soon xxxx

 

[merlina]

So-o sad! Only time will help here- she has lost confidence because her little pack is diminished. Do you have a friend with a sociable dog you could begin to walk with? Might help.

 

[Mayblossom]

Thanks everyone, have just been looking at the Just Springers rescue site and maybe that’s the way to go, can’t have a puppy as wouldn’t be fair on Lily, at 10 years old I don’t think she'd tolerate being jumped on or chased about. May have to be patient for the right one to come along but have to get it right. Can’t bear to see Lily so unhappy, just been for a walk and she spotted a Springer on the path, her tail started wagging and she ran after it , when she realised it wasn’t Molly the tail stopped wagging.

 

[Mayblossom]

So-o sad! Only time will help here- she has lost confidence because her little pack is diminished. Do you have a friend with a sociable dog you could begin to walk with? Might help.

I do have a couple of friends I can walk with so will do that for the time being and keeping everything crossed we can find Lily a new friend

 

[Mayblossom]

My girlwas very sad when her companion died . She was with us as we had the old one put to sleep and sniffed her as she lay peacefully.
It seemed as though she lost all her confidence really. Our remedy was to get another dog, she loves him and is so enthusiastic to run and walk with him.
I know it's not feasible for everyone but for us the change has been a dramatic improvement.

Sounds just like my girl, we’re probably going to get Lily a friend too and hopefully make her happy again x

 

[Murphy11]

So sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for little Lily.
Found this link.......might have some advice and just confirms you're doing all you can right now for her.

Do dogs grieve, and how can I help my dog mourn a loss?

X x x

 

[Mayblossom]

So sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for little Lily.
Found this link.......might have some advice and just confirms you're doing all you can right now for her.

Do dogs grieve, and how can I help my dog mourn a loss?

X x x

Thank you so much Murphy, will have a good read. Just been out for a walk with my friend and their dog and she was as perky as normal, looks like I’ll have to stalk the dog walkers so Lily can have a happy walk

 

[Mad Murphy]

This is so sad. When Oscar died Benny and Remy were lost. Basil plucked all his feathers out and sulked for months. Of course animals grieve when they lose a family member.

We gave Benny and Remy a bit of Oscars blanket so they had his smell with them at bedtime otherwise they wouldnt sleep. But I walked them in new places and took them on new adventures to hopefully keep them interested and so involved in the new things that they didnt try to look for Oscar.. Even so every time they saw a black and white dog coming their tails would wag like mad until they saw it wasnt him and then their tails would droop and they would turn away much to the confusion of the other dog who thought he/she was getting a wonderful welcome.

Time helps.. But be prepared it may take a while before this passes.

 

[Mayblossom]

Thank you MM , I was speaking to a friend today who lost her dog back in February and it’s taken til now for her other dog to accept that he’s gone, she also said that she spotted a dog very similar to the one she lost and went running up to it hoping it was her mate, I find that so very sad . Lily has actually been playing with her ball today and seems a little brighter, bless her.

 

[JudyN]

It's good to hear she's perking up a bit, even if it's going to take a while till she's completely herself again.

 

[Mayblossom]

It was lovely to see her playing Judy, keep re thinking another dog scenario now as Lils can be somewhat protective ( typical terrier) and I’d hate to take on a rescue and Lily resented it, will give her more time before we do anything x

 

[Flobo]

It is heartbreaking, so sad watching and feeling your animals grieving..My heart goes out to you. My ferret Sid lost his mate recently and he's been so sad, he spent the first couple of days looking for her when he was out, ( I had given him time with her after she had passed away, hoping to help..)and he moved the blanket and all his favourite toys from a drawer they used to share when they'd had enough play time. But he is getting there, just sometimes he comes out and just can't get interested in fun time. We've been waiting for ferrets to come up at our local rspca and 2 have come in so we're off to meet them tomorrow, really excited, but keeping a check on it as it's Sid's meeting with them that counts. Fingers crossed he will have company and play mates again and be happy! As your Lily will be in time I'm sure..

 

[Kara 1]

It was lovely to see her playing Judy, keep re thinking another dog scenario now as Lils can be somewhat protective ( typical terrier) and I’d hate to take on a rescue and Lily resented it, will give her more time before we do anything x

Have you thought about fostering a dog ...that way you could see if lily would accept another dog