I know this is the wrong place so IBU for that alone, but I need some help and this board has more traffic.
On Monday my lovely wonderful 80 year old mum collapsed and died. I still can't believe it's real. She had been so fit for her age so it was a complete shock and something I'm still struggling to process myself.
When she died she was walking her beloved little dog. He was her life. After my dad died a few years ago she was lonely and felt she had no purpose and this little dog gave her a new lease of life. He was spoiled rotten, walked miles a day and generally pampered by her.
He's currently here with me, and this is where I need help. I'm not sure if dogs grieve but what he is doing appears that way. He cries by our front door as if he wants to go home. We have a dog of our own whos a similar size, he pesters him to play occasionally but mums dog is disinterested and eventually snaps at him to go away.
The crying is by far the biggest issue. Last night he cried solidly from midnight to about 4am. He was in the kitchen with our dog, we can't shut the door as if we did he scratches the life out of it so we put up a child gate. This means he's loud.
We've tried him in different rooms, with my daughter, with us. All has the same ending. He cries.
He wants to go home, he doesn't understand and my heart breaks for him. Wise MNetters, how can I help him?
AIBU?
To ask for some help
SistersOfPercy · 01/02/2017 09:53
First, sorry to hear about your mum 
Second, I have no especially useful advice other than saying this won't last more than a few days. He will get used to his new home eventually. Be patient if you can!
So sorry about your mum
Agree that you just have to give him time, he's missing your mum plus a strange house, another dog. It'll take a while but he will settle.
Take it easy yourself too, it's a hard time.
If you post in the Doghouse section of chat or get MNHQ to edit your title so it's more obviously about the poor dog, you'll get a lot of very knowledgeable responses. I'm very sorry about your mother
I am so sorry about your mum
Try asking for advice in the doghouse section. They are really experienced over there and will have some great advice.
So sorry to hear about your mum.
I know people advise letting dogs see other dogs' bodies, so they understand they have died. Did he see your mum after she had collapsed and died? (I hope I'm not being insensitive asking that).
I agree with PP saying to give him something that smells of her.
I agree about taking him home so he can investigate. Maybe a blanket from your mums bed he can sleep on at yours?
Poor thing. I'm so sorry for your loss
What about a hot water bottle wrapped in something (a blanket/sheet) from your Mum's house?
Ahh OP I just want to express my sympathies. My grandma is exactly the same. Lost my grandad a couple of years ago and their beloved little dog the year later. She became very withdrawn and depressed until after about a year of grieving we bought her a new dog.
It was beautiful to watch, he is her absolute world and they have such a bond.
I agree with all the suggestions to get him some familiar things from home. Dogs do grieve too, it's only natural to wonder where their owner is. Time is a healer for dogs in the same way it is for humans.
We're not doggy people at all but theres not a dry eye in the Maras household.
for your mum.RIP.
I am so sorry for your loss
I haven't got anything helpful to add, i do believe they grieve (i think all animals are much more complex than we give them credit). He's so handsome I can see why he held such a special place in your mums heart. Poor little mite, I hope you can bring some comfort to each other.
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