What would you do?

[BJ.]

As most of you would know we lost our darling Nash in early May this year, he is sorely missed by us all but particularly Jester. Since May Jester has seemed to have lost his spark, I thought time would help and that he would enjoy being an only dog getting all the attention. It hasn't happened that way. He had a full physical exam yesterday, they cleaned his teeth, flushed his ears, did a full blood work up, urine tests etc. He has a small fatty lump on one hock and a patch of yeast infection between a couple of front toes. Everything else was excellent for an 11 year old big dog.  He has lost 2 kilos since his last check up which was in January and is now under weight, which I am not surprised about as he often ignores his food bowl. He has been on Meals for Mutts grain free for about 18 months. 

 

Do you think another dog as a companion will help? I have been a bit surprised as he is not very good at sharing and will resource guard if given the opportunity. Nash was so gentle that he never reacted back, finding another dog who was the same could be difficult, I also don't think it is very fair on another dog to expect them to put up with a snappy basset.  Being 11 I think I wouldn't have a puppy with him just because of the difference in play levels. I would dearly love a giant fluffy as my next dog, Newfoundland, Leonberger or Bernese, getting one of these as an adult could be difficult and there is quiet a wait on puppies.

 

What do you think, wait it out and hopefully he adjusts? Or start actively searching for a large breed companion?

[Diva]

It took 10 months for one of mine to get over the death of her life long friend, and that was even with another dog in the house. 

Usually getting another dog does assist, but it has to be right all of you. 

[Loving my Oldies]

It may be too uncertain an environment for Jester, of course, and others, but fostering for a while might give you and idea of how Jester would cope or otherwise, and what sort of dog may suit?? 

[juice]

When I lost Ozzie last year Zelda just shut down , became scared of other dogs , even dogs she used to love to play with she tried to bolt if she saw them . She stopped wanting to do anything , she then developed a runny nose , and bleeds , ended up at specialists and 5k later nothing was wrong with her , I think her immune system shut down . I got a stag pup , big mistake as she was scared of it and after much deliberation I rehomed him . ( other factors too ) . We had a few trials with older cattle dogs which didn’t work either , but she did start to improve with them . We now have another bully and she is back to normal .

[Dogsfevr]

What activities are you doing to enrich his days .

[BJ.]

Thanks for all your replies. I think for the moment I am not going to actively seek out an addition. As Diva said it needs to be right for all of us. Nash was a gift from the doggie gods and who knows what is in the future. @juice I remember well what you want through with Zelda. 

 

@Dogsfevr I don't do anything specific with him but he is with me for most of the day. We go out somewhere nearly everyday. Now there is just him I tend to take him out visiting. Days when I don't have anything planned we go to the dog park for a wander and sniff. We do 10 min walks every couple of hours. Slightly different routes each time. We have our little routines as he is a creature of habit. 

[Papillon Kisses]

You mention the vet “cleaned” his teeth. Did they do this under anaesthesia? The lack of appetite could be from dental pain, which can’t be addressed unless under GA.

[BJ.]

Yes PK, the vet thought she might have to remove a tooth so he was under a GA. He ended up just needing a really good scale and clean. I too thought it might be dental issues. I am now splitting his meals into 3, seems to be helping.  We have another check up in a fortnight for a weigh in and to check his feet.

[Little Gifts]

I really think some dogs just feel more comfortable in a pack. I had one old girl just fade away in front of me after her son (both through rescue at different times) died. I had a pup come through for emergency care 6 weeks later and it gave her day purpose again (got to keep a pup in line!). We ended up turning into a 4 dog house a few months later and she ruled the lot right for about another 4 years. 

 

It has to be right for your household though, not just the pining dog.

[BJ.]

He actually played with the grandchildren this morning. He sat in their play tent and had a "tea party". This is the first time in a long time that he has showed any interest, and now it is sleep time but the light is a bit bright.

[Loving my Oldies]

On 8/31/2018 at 1:30 PM, BJ. said:

He actually played with the grandchildren this morning. He sat in their play tent and had a "tea party". This is the first time in a long time that he has showed any interest, and now it is sleep time but the light is a bit bright.

Love this, @B.J.   Beautiful.