Dog Mourning for the Cat

[TheCortanaThatStoleChristmas]

Came for some advice on my rescue staffie - D. He's about 5, we've had him 3 years. We also had a rescue cat O, who sadly died yesterday at the age of 18. They had a very love-hate relationship, lots of pinching each others bed and food, it was a running joke that the skinny cornish rex ruled the roost with the passive staffie by his side.

D is moping and hasn't touched his breakfast this morning. He's searched everywhere for O and seems to have realised. As a staffie that was starved half to death before he was rescued he has never left food uneaten. I've put him on his favorite pillow in front of the radiator for him and he's just slumped there looking at us. I know to an extent he will also pick up on our mood, when my dad died I couldn't go the bathroom without him crying to be in to sit next to me. This seems different as he has his own loss and grief.

How long can I expect him to mope?
Do I offer treats to tempt his appetite or do I let him go to his food when he is ready?

It's awful that we lost a much loved pet yesterday, but seeing our other looking for him and suffering is heartbreaking. We can't explain to D that O had a lovely long life and died peacefully at home in his sleep like we did to DS.

So sorry cortana - it's awful losing a pet.

Did D get to see O after he had passed away? I've heard that can help. Also remember D is probably picking up on your own distress. Hopefully he will pick up as you and your family start to feel a bit better.

Could you put on a really up-beat demeanor and take him for a nice walk with a favourite toy? It's hard when you don't feel like it but it may get him going again.

If it goes on too long speak to your vet, you don't want him making himself poorly.

He did, we wrapped O up and had a wee cuddle. D was howling.

We have broken our house rules and D is now on the couch with DS hand feeding him crisps. (usually crisps are only allowed dipped in lemonade,after a mountain climb, while sitting outside a real pub). It's one off and he has eaten something however small and we had a tail wag.

I literally cannot manage upbeat just yet, yesterday was pure shock and helping my DS come to terms with the loss. I think it's hit me today.

Will bear in mind about the vet, I don't want to seem over precious but D is a sensitive soul and it did cross my mind that he could make himself ill.

No more cats for us. O was a very special case (doesn't every rescue owner say that!), he had a history of abuse, neglect and illness; and we ended up with him due to some strange circumstances. He was more like a grumpy old man than a cat to be honest.

The love-hate thing is sweet. O would steal D's bed and refuse to move, so D would run to the kitchen and starting chomping O's food loudly. O would run it to bat him off and D would race back to claim his bed. Laughing and crying just writing that.

So sorry to hear this. DH just asked me what was wrong as your post made me cry! I have sensitive staffie and can totally imagine what D must be like. No great advice but I'm sure time will be a great healer for both you and D. You sound like you are doing a lovely job comforting him.

It's been a day of tears and happy memories *Partridge". D has eaten some dinner, just farted himself awake and ran off in fright, so we've had a wee chuckle at his expense. Thank you for your kind words everyone.