DOGS AND BEREAVEMENT
I have written this partly from personal experience , but also from talking to others who have had similar experiences .
After my husband , Andrew , and I lost our previous rescue collie , Ben , in September 2022 we thought long and hard before taking on another collie as we had reached our mid seventies and were concerned that a new dog might outlive us . We finally made the decision to take on a slightly older dog and Pippa joined us aged about five and a half in April 2023 . She has proved to be a wonderful companion and I personally am now really glad that we took that decision .
At the end of February this year Andrew died quite suddenly and I have been left with Pippa as my rock and sole living companion as our children are grown up and have their own lives . She has given me a purpose and it also means I have to go out as she needs and loves her walks . Talking to others in the same situation I find that they have found their canine companions to be a great comfort . She is happy for me to give her a cuddle when I ’ m feeling down .
However , we must not forget that our dogs have feelings too , and I am certainly aware that Pippa is missing Andrew as much as I am . I have tried , as far as possible to maintain her routine , but inevitably I have had to leave her on her own far more than previously as Andrew did not go out a great deal due to health issues . I have noticed that quite often she will go and lie close to where he used to sit when on his computer as if that brings her some comfort . Also when I am around she will ask for more fuss than previously and sometimes lie very close to where I am sitting much more than she used to . Overall , however , she is still a really well behaved dog , but she must be wondering why so many different people have come to see me some of whom she hasn ’ t met before . If I take her out in the car she can ’ t wait to get inside the house on our return - it ’ s as if she feels she is secure here and had been wondering if she was going to be looking for yet another new home ( I am aware that this is her third ).
This makes me think how hard it must be for those dogs who find themselves at the rescue centre after their owner has died , although I am aware that the staff will do their best for them and try to find them a new home .
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