How Do Dogs Grieve the Death of Another Dog?

We have a new old dog. Her name is Star and she has lived with us for four years. She is now a new dog.

Have you witnessed a dog going through a time of grieving the loss of another furry friend? When we adopted two rescues four years ago, they came as a package. We wanted one long-haired Doxie but the adoption center would not allow these two to be separated.

The male, Gunner, was ten years old and had been Star's protector for her entire life of six years. She was a show dog. They both lived in cages and were abused. They rarely saw the light of day. Gunner took the brunt of the abuse because he protected his little 'wife' and consequently got kicked, pushed, and thrown by their owner. 

Do Dogs Know When it is Time to Say Goodbye?

No matter how much we prepare ourselves for the inevitable, it is extremely difficult to say good-bye to our furry friends. Even more difficult is making the decision as to when - do we wait a month, a week, or does it have to be today?

Gunner's time was approaching and I prayed that he would let me know when it was time. He did. 

Around eight in the evening, he started to pace and then stand in a corner for a few minutes. He did this all night and I stayed up with him. The first vet appointment available was at three in the afternoon. As much as his human daddy wanted to be there his schedule didn't permit; I had to go alone. 

Gunner's doctor took one look at him and then back at me. There was no need for an examination. "I'll give Gunner a shot that is incredibly fast-acting. He will be gone in a matter of seconds but you can hold him as long as you want to stay with him." I did. 

Rescue Dogs Make the Best Pets

My name is Star.  I am a long-haired 
mini Dachshund.  I was adopted by 
Carol  six months ago. 

I will try to paint you my story in 
words to the best of my ability.

It is hard to believe or understand why Mom had to jump through so many hoops to adopt us.  Finally after being awarded custody, her 14 HOUR journey to pick us up was hilarious. 
You can read about that here.

I have learned what heaven must be like since meeting my new parents.  I know they don't understand dog language, but they understand the language of dogs.  I do the best I can to tell them how grateful I am and try to show them what my life used to be like.  I was abused and neglected.  I moved into my new home with my "husband" Gunner. Mom and Dad are not sure if we are brother and sister, husband and wife or father and daughter.  I assure you we are husband and wife.  He is the father of my babies I had years ago.  

Dogs - T is for Texas Poopy Pants

Texas.  Tex.  Texie Mexie.  Texus Mexus.  Poopy Pants.  Many of you will remember the story of Texas in E is for Emergency when he was brutally attacked.  Texas has had a few lives already in his 17 plus years.   Texas has sired 27 liters of pups and was Louis Vuitton's dad.  Remember Louie in Just Dream Big  and L is for Louis Vuitton .  Texas is also Grandpa to crazy Lola in Chiweenie.  Now you have a little of the family history so I will share how we came to be proud parents to Texas.

When my daughter Rochelle was 16, her boyfriend, Thomas, gave her a new puppy.....Louie.  Louie was one of the pups that Thomas' dog, Texas, had fathered.   I know many of you have fallen in love with Louie and his crazy antics like packing his suitcase!  He got his smarts from his dad, Texas.

Texas was raised in the country and herded horses to and from the pastures.  He may have been little but he was strong and spunky.  When Thomas' family moved into the city they could not take their dogs and Texas was adopted into another home.  Within a year, Thomas discovered that Tex was being mistreated by his new family and he took him back.  By this time, Thomas had a home of his own and he could keep Texas.

Do dogs choose their owners?

Thomas asked us to babysit Texas for three weeks while he was traveling.  We had just lost Babe, in Babe is Killed.  My husband was still hurting from our loss and Texas must have sensed that pain.  He attached himself to my husband like glue.  Very quickly, it was evident these two were meant for each other.  Texas never left him out of his sight.

When Thomas returned after three weeks to pick up Texas he said "C 'mon Texas, get in the truck!"

"GRRRRRRR" was Texas response.

"TEXAS, I said GET IN THE TRUCK!"

"GRRRRRRRRRRRR......WOOF WOOF!"  He growled.

Thomas took a long look at my husband and said "Guess you got yourself a dog!"  And the rest, as they say, is history.

That was eight years ago and he is still attached to hubby like a magnet.

When I listed his nicknames in the first paragraph, one was Poopy Pants.  It is a term of endearment I have given him in his old age.  If you have ever had an old dog, you know why!

Texas recovering from his brutal attack

I am participating in this year's A to Z Challenge 2014 and am sharing 26 dogs stories - one for each letter of the alphabet. 

A is for All the Dogs               B is for Babe                             C is for Charlie
D is for Dyeing Hair                E is for Emergency                   F is for Flying Snake and Flying Dogs
G is for Galloping down the road                                              H is for Hiding behind the tree
I is for The Intimidator                                                              J i for Just Dream Big
K is for Babe is Killed
L is for Louie Vuitton
M is for MercedeZ 
N is for New Addition Chiweenie 
O is for Old Fart and Other Cats 
P is for Perky 
Q is for Quincy
R is for Rusty and Rex  Black Dobermans 
S is for Sheba on the Yellow Line


It would be awesome if you would visit other blogs in this challenge.  There is a wide range of subjects posted every day and my fellow bloggers would be honored to have you drop by.

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Dogs - N is for New Addition Chiweenie

Lola.  Lola is definitely in a category by herself.  Remember Lily the Intimidator?  Lily is Lola's mom.    When Miniature Dachshunds and Chihuahuas mate, the offspring are called Chiweenies.     Apparently the worst characteristics of both breeds come out in the offspring.

Dogs -J is for Just Dream Big

I come from strong stock.  Some of you may have met my dad, Texas and know what a fighter he is.  I may be small in stature but I have always dreamed big.  When I dream, it is not only what I think about when I am awake, but also when I am asleep.  If I set my mind to something, you better believe that I will do it.  I am a very determined character.

My Mini Dachshund Was Attacked

On January 6, 2012, I was walking my 15-year-old Miniature Dachshund, Texas. We were walking in a wooded area and my husband was about a mile away running our Black Lab, Mercedez.

I noticed a woman walking a Bull Mastiff that was not muzzled and was wearing a small collar. As they got closer, the large dog took three leaps towards Texas. She did not bark or growl. There was no indication that she was about to attack. She was no match for the woman who was walking her and pulled away easily causing her owner to fall. Molly, the large dog, grabbed Texas so quickly I did not have a moment to pick him up out of harm's way. He was in the mouth of this dog who violently shook him for a full five minutes.

Life And Death Decision - Dog Attacked

While walking my 15-year-old Miniature Dachshund, Texas, I noticed a woman with a Bull Mastiff that was not muzzled and was wearing a small collar. As they got closer, the large dog took three leaps towards Texas. She did not bark or growl. There was no indication that she was about to attack. She was too strong for the woman  walking her and pulled away easily causing her owner to fall. 

Molly, the large dog, grabbed Texas so quickly I did not have a moment to pick him up out of harm's way. He was in the mouth of this dog who violently shook him for a full five minutes. Molly's head was the size of my Texas. I did everything humanly possible to release her hold.  I screamed so loudly that I damaged tissue and was feeling ill.  I kicked her several times but she would not release little Texas. Finally, I gave her a hard kick to the groin and she dropped him.

She Had The Last Laugh

She was so little and frail. Her abusive owners deprived her of water and food. I picked her up and in her weakened state, she cuddled her shaking body into my neck.

Lily and family

“You poor baby. You need a good home.”

I gave her water and the owner got angry with me, “If you do that, she will pee!”

“I'm taking her home. You have no right being a dog owner.” I screamed.

Now, six years later she is healthy, happy and a mom of three Chiweenies - Chihuahua and Miniature Dachshund cross.

She had the last laugh.

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