Doggie Depression???

[nedran]

I think my dogs are depressed. Can dogs get depressed? I think they know that Chrissie isn't coming back home but they continue to look for her. I happened to say her name today and Morgan (9 mo) ran to the steps and sat down, waiting patiently. After about a minute she checked the kitchen, and then the couch. She looked at me as if she was asking me where Chrissie was. Molly (12 yo) just lays by the steps or where she can see the steps and just generally mopes around. I give them extra attention but don't know what else, if anything, I can do. Chrissie had been out of the house in the hospital frequently in the past year, sometimes for as long as a week, and Molly didn't act like this then. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[dlaura]

Nedran,
Since getting our birds I have begun to realize that we just don't give animals enough credit for their intelligience. They have feelings and suffer emotions just like us. Since you mentioned that Chrissie has been at hospital for a week at a time they are probably expecting her back at any moment. Even though Chrissie didn't accept them as friends these animals lived in the same household and are used to it being the three of them. They miss her prescense and might be picking up on you being down also. Guess they are going thru a grieving process also. Just give them a little extra love and cuddle time.

[nedran]

Thanks dlaura, I'll just continue with what I am doing with them. Hopefully as I adjust to her absence they will too.

[dlaura]

Maybe I should be writing this under memories...... but I had the same thing happen but with our cat April. We lost our Golden Retriever, Brandy in January about 6 yrs ago. I had been going thru a bought of depression myself and wasn't sure if I could handle a new puppy. My self esteem and self confidence were at an all time low and I waited a while but there was a hole in my life that I needed to fill. It took me a couple looks to find the puppy that I wanted but I knew immediately when I saw Amber and her brothers & sisters that I had found my new puppy. Anyway, we picked Amber up and upon arriving home I lifted her out of the car and set her on the ground in her new home. To our great surprise April came running down the hill and right up to the new puppy -- the look on her face was one of excitement and joy. She adopted the new puppy and became her surrogate mom --- even getting upset when we would take the puppy out for a walk or ride. April would meow loudly and cry. I had failed to realize that April had also missed Brandy being around. Upon seeing her new vitality when we got Amber - I realized that April had also been grieving the loss of her friend Amber. It is amazing how much like us they are.

I hope you are having a good day.

[nedran]

Sometimes I don't think we give our animals the credit they deserve. Hopefully, my next kitty (yes, the thought has crossed my mind), will be friends with the dogs. Although, I don't know if Molly could handle a nice cat....she wouldn't know what to do!

Days are getting better, but I'm still having a tough time at night. That's when Chrissie would get cuddly with me so her absence is felt more. One day at a time......

[dlaura]

That's really all any of us can do ......... one day at a time.
It would be a switch for Molly to get along with a new kitty. Wonder what her reaction will be................ let me know what Molly's reaction is when you do it.