Dog not coping since our other dog died

[InflagranteDelicto]

Lost our lab in Feb, lovely soppy girl, but old age took her. Delinquent dog isn't coping. When we got her from the rescue 5 years ago we knew she didn't like being on her own, but now she's not only grieving, but crying whenever w go out. I work p/t, during school hours, and stopping work isn't an option. She's lovely, despite being a terror she's a funny girl a lot of the time and we love her to bits (except the youngest, who wants a rabbit but can't while we have delinquent dog!)

Any ideas for helping her settle to life as an only dog?

Could you use a dog walker or dog day care when you work so your dog has doggie company. Mine goes to day care so he gets lots of interaction with other dogs as well as not being left on his own for too long.

There's no money. Since we got her our lifestyle has had to become more and more frugal. When I go out she is given stuffed kings, other food toys, high value treats and none of it is touched until I get home. She gets herself into this state whether I'm out for 20 minutes or 5 1/2 hours at work.

Ok in that case could you go back to basics as if the dog was a puppy.

Have you tried leaving the tv on, calming plugins or those thunder shirts, treating when quiet for increased periods of time when you leave the room building up to leaving the house etc.

I also had to get a second dog - our rescue greyhound was bereft when our elderly JRT died. He couldn't cope with being left on his own for even very short periods and became quite destructive. He finds our very bouncy staffiex irritating a lot of the time, but has stopped howling and destroying things.

Is getting a second dog an option?

Long term I think 2nd dog the way to go. But its not something to rush into. Plus we have kennels booked for Aug(FIL pays to take us away, we are incredibly lucky) and I shudder to think what 2 would cost

It sounds like she has developed separation anxiety. A second dog wouldn't normally cure this as it is you she wants. She may even teach new dog to be scared.
Can anyone have her during the day? Leaving her (if she's upset) will reinforce the separation anxiety.
Dog training advice and support group on FB is great and has advice on separation anxiety. But they will advise you don't leave her to get upset. At all. Sorry.