Losing a Friend

A friend has a 10-year old lab whom Bella adores. Amber was a young pup when she befriended my previous dog, Lucy, and Bella and Amber have a similar relationship. Bella LOVES Amber. Amber thinks Bella is special, but sometimes a pain in the neck. TOO MUCH ENERGY! But each time they see each other, it's joyous for both of them.

Amber was recently diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumors. These are common skin tumors that can pop up anywhere, at any time and for Amber, this has been the case. Her owner has tried an experimental chemo therapy treatment that eradicated a set of tumors, but new tumors appeared in other locations. The new regime is a daily chemo pill and my friend says the only indication she has that Amber may not be feeling well is she seems a bit more tired. Whether this is factual or my friend is super sensitive is moot.

We haven't allowed the dogs together since the diagnosis as we were both concerned Bella's exuberance to see Amber might be too overwhelming for the old girl. But now, knowing Amber seems to be feeling okay, I want the dogs together for both of their sakes.

Low and behold, as the universe always provides, Patricia McConnell's recent two-part blog entry speaks to dealing with a dog's grief. I have never had more than one dog at a time, but I know from my sister that dogs most definitely grieve. She had two lab mixes and though one was substantially larger, he was definitely not the boss. When his "sister" died, Amos went into a long a profound grief, expressed by lack of energy and enthusiasm; no desire to eat; no inclination to interact. My sister said one day she was walking Amos when ahead of them appeared a black lab that looked like his old compatriot. For the first time in weeks, his ears perked, his tail went up, he picked up his step to get closer, but on a single sniff, his ears and tail drooped and he turned away.

I believe animals do grieve. I want Bella to be able to spend time with Amber while she is still here, and luckily my friend agrees.