Lonely Maggie after Companion Dog's Death *suggestions please*

[cyber-sibes]

So sorry about Abby. When we lost Star's companion, Rosie, we saw much the same thing, her personality changed. And she started doing "Rosie" things, it was obvious she really missed her. Star is an outdoor dog too, and really doesn't like being indoors, but she looked SO sad all the time. i took her for extra trips to the dogpark to play with other dogs, that seemed to cheer her up a little. I also took her with me on more trips to the store etc. maybe they can try things like that.
Our solution- - Sherman! We knew when we met him he was just what we ALL needed. Star's been back to her happy bossy self since he arrived.

[christa]

When we lost Star's companion, Rosie, we saw much the same thing, her personality changed. And she started doing "Rosie" things, it was obvious she really missed her.

Funny you say that . . . Abby was always the "protector" and Maggie would just wander around the farm, exploring everything. Now Maggie won't leave our side! She's VERY protective. We all thought it was so strange how she stepped up so quickly and assumed Abby's old role.

[Kfamr]

To be honest, I think the best thing would to bring her inside. Even if it's just for night time, laying on the floor by your parent's bedside. Dogs are pack animals and strive on being a part of the pack. Maggie, sadly - and i'm sorry, has lost her pack member and by the sounds of it, her pack leader.

I'm not sure why she's an outside only but, if possible, it may be what she needs. Even if she loves it outside, and i'm sure she does, she is now alone outside which is a big change from having someone for years.

My dogs are actually the same. I take all 3 for a walk, they walk fast and with confidence. If I take them soley, they get jumpy at the littlest sounds. They depend on eachother so much that they are lost without one another.

Hope you understand what i'm saying, didn't get a chance to read all the other replies so I'm sorry if I'm just repeating what someone else said.


Good luck to everyone involved!

[christa]

I'm not sure why she's an outside only but, if possible, it may be what she needs.

I'm sure you already know this . . . not everyone agrees that dogs make good indoor pets. My parents won't even have an indoor cat . . . they were totally against me and my hubby getting our cats (even though they love them to death now!) . . . see what I'm getting at?

I know that everybody on the dog side has indoor dogs, and that's fine by me. To each his own. But I can't ask my parents to bring Maggie inside when I probably wouldn't even bring her in myself. Just personal preference.

That's why she's outside.

[Kfamr]

Yeah, I understand and I figured that was the reasoning. It just seems to me that may be the answer to their problems. Hopefully you all find some sort of alternative.

Do you think possibly they could find a doggie day-care or even just a neighbor dog that Maggie could visit everyday or a couple days a week? Having a canine friend to play with may be a bit of a spirit lifter for her.

Just another suggestion!

[christa]

Yeah, I understand and I figured that was the reasoning. It just seems to me that may be the answer to their problems. Hopefully you all find some sort of alternative.

Do you think possibly they could find a doggie day-care or even just a neighbor dog that Maggie could visit everyday or a couple days a week? Having a canine friend to play with may be a bit of a spirit lifter for her.

Just another suggestion!

I like the suggestion about the doggie friend . . . my parent's don't have many neighbors though. They live in a rural country area. I'll have to think about that one some more.