[Dailydrool] Grieving Bassets

[julie h]

I believe dogs grieve if one of their housemates dies. I also believe that they have very long memories about some things.  Sunny never forgot that she was mistreated and she lived with us for 12 years.
 
Our first two bassets were litter mates and were only apart a little in the beginning because we only intended to get one dog but they had other plans.  They were together until at twelve and a half, Daisy stopped walking and just couldn't go on.  Sassy was shell shocked.  She didn't show it but she was devastated.  Her lifelong buddy and chew toy was gone.  She moped and dragged around so we thought maybe she needed a playmate.  Sherlock came to live with us a few months later.  He was a backyard bred puppy and a physical mess but he fell instantly in love with Sassy.  He thought she was God or a new mom or something.  She hated him on sight.  Couldn't stand him.  She never hurt him or snapped but would bellow if he came anywhere near.  He would flat basset when she did and stay down for a long time.  Sassy just didn't have the energy for a pup.  
 
One afternoon when Sass was asleep on the couch, Sherlock got up there with her and very quietly climbed on top of her and rolled over.  Sassy didn't wake up so they slept back to back with Sherlock on top.  I don't know why I didn't run for the camera.  Sassy only lived six months longer than Daisy.  She missed her sis too much and was too old to care any more.  I miss them so much.  It goes by way too fast.
 
Sunny would have been a better only dog than a friend to Sherlock.  She couldn't stand him either.  When he died she kept going to the spot on the floor where he had been and sniffing or laying there.  Since he died in his sleep, there wasn't much we could do about it.  I think she missed him in her own way.  She didn't have anyone to harrass for a while.
 
When Sunny died, Ninja and Marley didn't much care since she was so unfriendly.  I still miss her though, grouchy old thing that she was.  I would just give the one or ones left behind lots of loves and attention.  We got Ninja pretty soon after Sherlock died and it was ok. It just worked out to be a good thing.  I needed her more than Sunny did.  
 
Today, Ninja has been the nurse.  The DH has the flu so when the rest of us went to Church, Ninja climbed up in his lap and slept with him in the chair.  Marley is worried about him too.
 
Snooters and hugs from Southern Illinois and special drool to Grandpa Mitchell
Ninja, Marley, Maggie, and Shelby the foster
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