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Rip Mozart


Zug Zug
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I have just come back from the vet. Mozart couldn't use his back legs today. He had been losing weight and going downhill since he had a small operation a few weeks back. He was 13 years old.

So much I could say. Can't think of any of it right now.

Goodbye little friend

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post-29106-0-56442800-1308222995_thumb.jpgAnyone got any ideas about what to do with his lifelong companion (Zamba) who suffers badly from separation anxiety?

She really frets if she is left on her own. I will stay with her for the next few days, and while I'm here she will be fine. But as soon as I leave to go to work, and Mozart isn't here, I think she will get very distressed.

He had to stay at the vet's for a few days once, and she was inconsolable. Non-stop loud crying. Even the neighbours were upset - she just sounded like her heart was breaking.

I can only think of sedation. We have some DAP - maybe this is a time to try it out? (I've never used it but bought a bottle a little while ago to try.)

But I don't know. Mozart was slowing down soooo much over the last few weeks. Deep down, I knew this day was coming. Deep down, wouldn't Zamba also have known?

She looked for him briefly when we came back from the vet without him, but then she settled ok. Like I said, I think she will be fine while I'm here. But I can't always be here.

Edited by Zug Zug
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Oh dear, how sad. They leave a massive hole when they've gone, don't they? Much bigger than the space they occupied.

About the one left behind......well, I'm afraid the answer to a similar situation for me was to get another dog. When my Maltese girl died, her lifelong companion got up on the couch, refused to eat and I thought she'd be gone pretty soon too, so I got an Australian Shepherd puppy. The old girl hated him on sight but she got off the couch to defend everything she deemed was hers and life went back to normal for her. But my solution maybe isn't ideal for everyone.

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So so sorry for your loss Zug Zug. I remember when Mozart had his op, and thought about our own Bichons and what tough little treasures they were. Zamba will need a companion to help him through the loss of his friend, and it will also help you too.

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Sorry for your loss. When my 14yr old poodle lost her best canine buddy, I found she became clingy to me. When I went to work I gave her my jumper to sleep on, hoping the scent of me would be calming. In time against what I thought was my better judgment I bought her a companion. It was the best thing- it added a zing back into her day. That being said, the timing was right I had a period off work at the time which enabled me to socialise them slowly: I didnt want to upset my old girls world a second time. It was healing to me to see her not alone. Maybe that was the key, maybe my old girl was picking up on my loss. Be there for your dog where possible.

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Thanks for everyone's replies.

A few days on, and I'm still pretty teary. Thinking about another dog, but not ready to do anything about it yet. In terms of my other dog, it looks to me like we may have a few issues, but possibly not as bad as I had been expecting.

Zamba is adjusting ok, but is very clingy which is understandable. I can't see any obvious pining. She just looks bored, sad and wanting company.

So far there has always been someone home with her, so she has only been outside for max 30 minutes alone. I've watched her and all she does is sit on a chair and stare out into the yard. No-one to play with, I suppose.

She wouldn't settle in her crate last night and kept barking, so I brought her into the bedroom with me and she settled straight away. I'll try her again in her crate tonight and use some DAP, which was suggested to me in another thread. If that doesn't work I'll just move her crate into the bedroom.

Yes I agree - she will feel better when she has another companion dog. But my feeling is we should wait a while. I am not ready to bond with another dog yet. Mozart was old and I knew he was on his way out, but I loved him dearly and I am pining for him. If I got another dog now, I think I would just be looking at it thinking 'you're cute, but I wish Mozart was here and not you'. He was a real gentleman - the perfect dog. I really need to be past that stage before bringing another puppy home, I think.

So it could be weeks, or it could be months. It won't be years though.

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