Hi All,
Thank you so much for your kind words in response to the news about Trip. We are slowly crawling out from underneath our rock. I am in search of some advice about how to handle our wonderful Fall. She is clearly confused about what has happened, and to my horror, when my uncle came over to the house today she barked at him. My husband says I am making something out of nothing, but it seemed like a mean bark to me. The point is, she has never, ever shown anything but love to everyone who has ever entered our house. I suppose it makes sense. Her whole life her brother has been the one to go up to people and make sure they are okay. Now, she has no one to do that for her.
I suppose I just want people to either tell me that my grief has made me crazy, or perhaps offer up some ideas about how to help her.
Thanks again for all your kind words.
-Christine
Your not crazy!
You can't be someone who gives a home to these needy beauties and not love a lot and be very special! You are NOT crazy, you just lost your beautiful boy and lost him suddenly and unexpectedly! It took me a long time to get over loosing Char and all my other Danes, although Char was totally unexpected. Just please be gentle with yourself.
If Trip was the greeter in your family, then it works really well to tell people to just ignore Fall when they come in, no matter what she's doing...you too! Don't correct her just totally ignore her. I'm sure it's not meaness...how could it be, she's never been mean. She'll calm down and come to your guests when she's ready and it may take a while, but since she's not comfortable as the greeter, then you don't want to pressure her to be one now.
You're all going to need time, love and patience together but you'll see, eventually you'll all be fine. Just don't expect any of you to be fine now or too soon. You have all just had your hearts broken and it will take time to mend, but you all have each other!
I hope you don't mind my advice, it's from the heart from one who's been there!
Wishing you lots of love!
Just a thought
My suggestion to you comes merely from my experience with the one-dog situation I was in when I first got Sydney. In a nutshell, Sydney did not know how to act as a dog.. she was skiddish, frightened and just not dog-like for the first 2 months I got her. We decided to bring in a "balanced" dog and from day 1, she began to act what I like to say as normal. What I am trying to say is that it is possible that Fall feels out of sorts without her fellow companion by her side. These guys like to be in packs. Perhpas you are witnessing withdrawl to her fellow pack mate and therefore abnormal behavior is being released. I know you are probably no where near thinking about bringing another dog into your home with your so recent loss of Trip, but you may want to consider a more temporary non-commital fix (maybe foster or foster-to-adopt or dog sit a friends dog) and see if that helps Fall with her behavior. Just my 2 cents. Good luck and keep us posted.
Cristina
Jack & Sydney's mum
poor baby
I wish I had some words of wisdom ... I am sure someone here will have something that will help.... she is probably feeling lost just like you... hugs to all of you