That made me cry. I know they grieve. Mine grieved with me when my husband passed 2 years ago. They were so quiet and inactive I worried about them. But I knew they missed him. I never thought about taking them to the cemetary, but then my husband passed here at home and the dogs were with him. In fact, Sadie (my yorkie girl) insisted on climbing up on the hospital bed we had brought him for him. She could not be kept out and finally we just let her lay up there with him til the end. A few months later, we lost Sadie after she gave birth to 5 beautiful puppies. It was so soon after my husband died that my son and I took it really hard. But then my son said, "I think Sadie died because Dad needed one of the dogs with him. He loved our dogs." I think maybe he was right. It also kept me very busy raising those pups, which was probably a blessing looking back. I felt I owed it to Sadie to make sure they all made it and they did -- and so did I. My dauchshund never really came out of her grief. She died a little over a year later at 17 1/2. She had a very long life but I know her last year was sad.
People that do not live with their pets and actually let them become part of the family do not understand the depths of their emotion and intelligence. They understand and care far more than most ever realize. This story you shared really made an impact on me. I may take Ben and Candy with me next time we go to the cemetary. I wonder what affect it might have on them though. I don't want them to go back to being depressed. I will have to think on it. Thanks for sharing the article. |