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Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Carrollton, Tx
Posts: 21
| ![]() I have 2 female Yorkies 5 years old. The atmosphere at our home has been difficult for months now, due to the onset of a severe form of dementia in my husband. He has the behavioral variant of Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia. Similar to, but reported to be more difficult to manage, than Alzheimer's, his symptoms involve behaviors. He is very un-cooperative and finally required placement in Memory Care. It is heartbreaking. I feel so badly for my little dogs. They don't seem happy and if there is depression in dogs, this would be my guess. Do any of you have any suggestions on what I can do to help them? |
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Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 69,269
| ![]() Poor puppies, poor you. Dogs feed off our emotions, our feelings. They sense happiness, sadness and sickness. They sensed this in their daddy and now daddy is no longer there and yes, dogs do get depressed when one that they love is no longer there. It can take them many months to get back to who and what they once were. In the meantime you can take them to parks (not dog parks), walking trails even if it means a short car ride to one. Take them to stores that allow dogs, they will get a lot of attention from dog lovers. Do things with them that you never did before, or take them to new places. More leash walks may also help. You have to add new things to their lives and do things with them for several months not just a a week or two. This is not a guarantee it will get them out of their depression but it will not hurt to try it.
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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![]() | #3 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Carrollton, Tx
Posts: 21
| ![]() Thank you. I have tried to take them out in the car, walking not so much. I am afraid of the bobcat and coyote reports in our area. Also, a lot of people have big dogs that scare me and one of my little dogs thinks she is a big dog, no telling what she might do if she goes into attack mode. Maybe going to restaurants that allow dogs would be a good idea. They love people, just don't seem to love me very much. Our second Yorkie is a rescue and things changed here when she arrived. She is an "in charge" girl, pretty much attached to me and this intimidates my other dog... Kind of a strange mix here. |
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YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Kissimmee, FL
Posts: 870
| ![]() My boys visited both my father and my father-in-law. Despite their dementia, both the dads and the dogs enjoyed the time spent together. During a recent visit to my mother's assisted living residence they all participated in a day to celebrate the importance of the relationships we share with our beloved companions...in fact my little ones were three of the four animals who were brought in. Everyone (staff and residents) were very thankful that we came, and the boys shared time with nearly one hundred new friends! It was amazing to experience the smiles and happy tears shed as many shared stories about their beloved pets who are waiting for them beyond the rainbow bridge. Many memory care units allow visits from pets, and even bring in animals who are trained to provide the opportunity for residents to experience the calming effect that interactions can provide. After an appropriate time has elapsed for "settling in" your husband's behavior may stabilize enough to allow brief visitation. I am sure that the staff will be able to assess the appropriateness of visits, and hope that you can have a chance to reunite your family for brief and healing opportunities! (((hugs)))
__________________ Joy...Mommy to Tyrone ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by nanajoy; 10-23-2019 at 09:00 AM. |
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![]() | #5 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Carrollton, Tx
Posts: 21
| ![]() I have indeed taken them to my husband's memory care facility and they love going and visiting with the residents and my husband. One of the main problems I see here is they seem to shy away from me, possibly because I have had to spend so many months in correction mode with my husband's behavior. He is not mean at all, but refuses to co-operate, due to the type of dementia he has. It is exhausting trying to take care of him and my own health is not good. i think they sense something is not quite right here. |
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Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 69,269
| ![]() Quote:
Your other dog was the first one there and should always be first in every thing, first to be greeted when you come home, first to have their food bowl set down, first to get a treat, he / she feels like they have been replaced by lil Miss bossy girl. Start showing him / her a little more attention. Rescues are very special especially if they came from a bad situation, we want them to feel loved, safe, trust us and to know they are in their forever home, so it's natural to show a rescue more love and attention, but we also have to make sure the first dog does not feel they have been replaced.
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
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![]() | #7 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: stanley nc
Posts: 1,152
| ![]() Hope you can find a good solution to your difficult situation. |
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Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
| ![]() Lots of insightful responses here! Give yourself and your pups some time. Grieving does not resolve quickly and sounds like you are you pups need to settle in together for a while. You had your hands full trying the care for your husbands and the pups and the pups could see that I’m sure - they are smart. More time will help!
__________________ . ![]() ![]() ![]() No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car ![]() |
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![]() | #9 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Carrollton, Tx
Posts: 21
| ![]() Thank you for your kind responses. Cathie |
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