My beloved dog has died, how do I help her sister? Please help.

[Anewuser]

My wonderful dog died yesterday. She was eleven and a half and the best dog I’ve ever had, she was perfect. I’m obviously upset but I’m more worried for her 10 year old sister. They were devoted to each other and now she’s just following me around the house. I’m giving her loads of extra cuddles and praise but she just seems sad. What can I do to help her? I can’t get another companion for her yet.

Hi, firstly a big virtual hug to you both. I'm so sorry X. I'd be getting her some nice bones to take her mind off missing her sister for a while, new toys etc. It's a huge adjustment for you both. There's always so much "space" when we lose animals and that's exactly what your other dog will be feeling to. Is there anyone you know that has a dog she gets along with? That restrictions allowing she can just meet up with for a few minutes?

I am in the same position OP.
My little dog died on Monday and my other dog has become very quiet. I am spending all my time with her and know she is missing him.
I have allowed her to sleep in our room as I can't face taking her downstairs to sleep on her own. I know she will be ok but just for now I am babying her.

I am sorry.

I know just how you feel. We lost our 11 year old lab suddenly in March and our 10 year old lab was so lost for a while. Very clingy. Very sad. It was at the beginning of the first lockdown so everything changed for her as our lovely dog walk had to stop coming too.

She did gradually adjust. It’s taken time. Lots of attention and cuddles and walks helped.

We’ve just moved house to three hours from our old house so her life has changed again. We are more rural and she is loving her new walks.

I felt so sad for her as I’m sure she was just so confused as to where our other dog had gone.

Thank you @JessWild, I have been giving her treats, which I don’t normally do but I’d rather she is fat and happy. That’s a great idea meeting up with friends’ dogs, I have been walking her back through the park just so she can sniff/play with other dogs if she wants.

@changedmynameforChristmas, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m definitely babying mine too but I don’t even care. She has also been sleeping on my bed, just so I can stroke her when I wake or move.

@Peridot1. I’m so sorry for your loss. Both of mine are/were labs. I can’t imagine how difficult that time must have been. Thankfully we can still go for her walks, which she loves. She is spending a lot of time walking around the house, up and down stairs and staring at the front door. I think she’s still expecting her sister to come back. I’m glad your dog has adjusted, that gives me some hope.

I know I’m being silly but I’m just petrified of losing this one to a broken heart.

They just need time to grieve, like humans. My neighbour's young dog got run over and was a friend of my dog. Unfortunately, by chance, we were in the vicinity when it was run over and though she did not look at it, my dog seemed to know it was her neighbour friend. When we got home, she was listening all evening to see if she could hear him through the wall and was quite despondent for several days. How much more so if her dog friend had actually been one of our family.

I’m so very sorry.
I’ve had this too.
You’re doing the right thing, letting her be with you all the time & babying her. They grieve just like we do & it takes time but as long as she has your love she will come through so don’t worry about spoiling her, a little nurturing is what we all need at times of grief. It will help you too, it’s an awful time, my heart goes out to you both.

What we have discovered is that if the remaining dog sees the dead dog it really helps. We are lucky enough that our vet comes out to us to do it but we live in a farm so they are buried here too. Obviously not always easy to organise. I'm sorry for your loss both of you.

@mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork, yes you’re right, she seems like a child that doesn’t quite understand what’s happened.

@Darklane, thank you and sorry you’ve been through this too. She’ll have all the cuddles and my love while she needs it.

@Wallywobbles. I didn’t know it was her last night, she’d gone outside for her last wee but collapsed in the garden, I carried her in and my son carried her up to my bedroom. The next morning I found her in the same position but gone. Her sister had slept on my bed so saw her as well. I’m hoping that somehow helps her to understand her sister isn’t coming back.