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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

How to help my pining dog

40 replies

Shedmicehugh1 · 14/04/2018 16:18

Had to have my elderly Lab put to sleep yesterday, after 14 years. I have another dog, 4 year old Yorkie, he is missing his mate and seems quite deflated.

I have been out twice since yesterday, only for a very short while. Once to the vets yesterday and today to the supermarket.

My son and husband were in when I took my old dog to the vets, my Yorkie was howling. He has never done this before.

Today, my son was home, but upstairs when my husband and I went shopping. Yorkie was howling again after we left. He stopped once he realised my son was home, but sat on the stairs, staring at the wall.

Any suggestions please on how to help my Yorkie?

OP posts:

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 11:55

I’ve just been looking on rehoming websites. They have quite a criteria. All of the dogs I saw, have to live alone and/or adult only house, no visitors etc etc.

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Aprilmightbemynewname · 16/04/2018 13:01

No visitors?? Bloody hell that's ridiculous!!

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 15:05

Yep! All the dogs I clicked on, all were adults only and no other pets. A few said no visitors or particularly no visiting children!

Maybe it’s a safety precaution? I’m sure it wasn’t like this years ago. All but my Yorkie have been rescue animals!

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freshstart24 · 16/04/2018 15:13

Shed I'm so sorry for your loss.

Here's my thoughts (which echo many others on this thread)

Prioritise making sure Yorkie is eating and drinking plus lots of TLC.

Give him time, he may adjust and improve.

If you are considering another dog Dogs trust would help you choose a suitable one. They would insist on any prospective rescue meeting current Dog to assess how they get on. Some rescues do specify that some dogs have to be rehomed alone- sometimes because they genuinely can't cope with another dog, or sometimes because they haven't assessed suitability. Choose a rescue where they have done their homework on each dog....

Consider a vet visit if the suspect this is more than pining.

boymum9 · 16/04/2018 15:22

I'm sorry for your loss
I'm not sure I have any suggestions but just wanted to send condolences, growing up when our older dog died, the younger one started having fits which stopped after a few years, the vets didn't seem to be able to do anything to help other than telling us how to manage them. I hope you find something that helps x

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 15:43

Thank you everyone for your wishes and advice, it’s much appreciated.

He ate a few biscuits today. I’ve found he is following me everywhere and will eat better, if I stay and sit by him.

He is becoming increasingly nervous around other dogs on our walks. Today, he stopped in his tracks when he saw another dog approaching. He would have run if he wasn’t on a lead.

Really not sure if introducing another dog would be helpful or not, while he is so nervous.

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Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 21:22

Update - seems of a night, he has been sneaking into the cats beds and sleeping with them! Husband told me when he home tonight, when he let for work this morning (very early) he was cuddled in with the cats!

Seems he has found a bit of comfort

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userxx · 16/04/2018 21:38

Oh bless him, at least he's getting some comfort from somewhere, bet the cats a bit confused about the new sleeping arrangements 😈

Aprilmightbemynewname · 16/04/2018 21:49

Sounds like a purrfect place for him!!

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 22:00

All 4 were quite close before! Cats have their own room upstairs, a human bed, a cat tree and cat bed. Yorkie and Lab usually sleep downstairs in their own beds! Seems Yorkie has commandeered the cat bed now!

My cats can be pretty dog like! Particularly one of them! They are pretty chilled and like a dog snuggle!

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Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 22:08

Aww I’m having a trip down memory lane now! I will stop, before the tears start!

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NotSureThisIsWhatIWant · 16/04/2018 22:52

Aw, bless him. I hope he find some comfort sleeping with the cats and the cats welcome his poor little heart.

foofooyeah · 16/04/2018 23:00

Lovely photos. Sad situation. Poor dog and poor you x

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 17/04/2018 20:50

Neighbour visited tonight, with some dog treats for my Yorkie and a lovely gift for me. My son asked could he see her dog, she obliged and came over later (her dog has been over a few times before, usually welcomed)

Yorkie wouldn’t let her dog in, growling at the door at her girl 🙁 definitely think another dog is not right at the moment.

He has not eaten again today. Only a dog treat chew. Off shopping tomorrow for some different dog food 🙁

OP posts:

userxx · 17/04/2018 21:29

Yeah, he's obviously feeling vulnerable without his mate. Don't think another dog is the right choice at the moment, maybe in time.

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