Heartbreaking Video of Dog Grieving the Loss of Her Brother Sibling Will Make You Bawl Your Eyes Out
For years, Phoebe and Oliver shared a bond like no other. The two dogs spent every waking moment with each other, from having meals together to playing together, and relaxing together. Like two peas in a pod, Phoebe and Oliver were inseparable. Where Oliver was, Phoebe would be there, and vice versa. They enjoyed going on car rides with their mom and getting into mischief as a team. It was pretty evident that these two pups were each other’s soulmates.
@pawsitivelyhappyvibes Shortly after our last video, Phoebe circled the couch twice looking for her brother. I got it on camera because I truly could not believe it. She will definitely be getting lots of cuddles and kisses and will be spending time with her cousins when I return to work tomorrow. 🙏🥺🐾 #DogGrief #DogLoss #DogsofTikTok #PetLoss #PetLossGrief #Grief #Mourning #Dog #Dogs #DogFriends #Companions #RunFreeOliver #rainbowbridge #pets ♬ In The Stars – Benson Boone
Until tragedy struck. Oliver recently passed away from cancer, and his absence hit Phoebe quite hard. As revealed in an emotional TikTok video posted by their owner @pawsitivelyhappyvibes, Phoebe’s overall behavior changed just a few days after Oliver’s death. According to her owner, Phoebe often appeared sad and confused, and she’d constantly seek out Oliver in places he loved hanging out. Phoebe’s heart was aching with an intense sense of loneliness that she couldn’t understand; she was mourning the sudden absence of her furry best friend.
“She keeps searching for him in all his usual spots. She’s confused and heartbroken. I’ve never seen her like this before. In my own grief, I didn’t fully realize how much she would need time to mourn, too. With time, our hearts will heal. But for now, we’re missing him together,” Phoebe’s owner captioned on the video.
Thousands of dog owners took to the comments section to condole with Phoebe’s owner, with others sharing their similar experiences.
“That’s what happened to my little Max after Maggie passed. He was so depressed and stopped eating and kept looking for her..,” one person commented.
“Nobody can say animals don’t grieve,” a second wrote.
“I hope you let her see him after he was gone so she doesn’t spend the rest of her life wondering,” another person added.
Do Dogs Know When Another Dog Dies?
While dogs don’t really understand the complex concept of death, research shows that dogs do grieve the loss of another dog, particularly if they lived in the same home. Dogs, like humans, experience a variety of emotions, which they display through their behavior and body language. This includes the negative emotions that result from grief.
A 2022 study published in the Scientific Reports Journal found that dogs often exhibit negative behavioral changes when another dog dies. The study — which involved a survey of 426 dog owners who’ve experienced pet loss while living with another dog — established that grieving dogs tend to play less, sleep more, and eat less. To add to that, grieving dogs often display increased attention-seeking behaviors, increased vocalization, and increased fearfulness.
Plus, according to the study findings, 29.4% of the grieving dogs exhibited these negative behaviors for two months, 32.2% for 2-6 months, and 24.9% for more than six months.
If you suspect your dog is experiencing grief after the death of another household dog, experts at VCA Animal Hospitals recommend offering them emotional support to help them get through the difficult period. This includes:
- Allowing them to see the body of their deceased friend for a final goodbye. Doing this can give them the idea that their canine friend won’t be coming back, so they don’t have to anticipate their return.
- Try not to grieve in the presence of your dog. When they see you constantly breaking down, it may add to their emotional distress.
- Give your dog the time and space to grieve, as this will help them adjust to their new reality. Don’t be quick to introduce another dog as a replacement for your deceased pup.
- Go the extra mile to bond with your grieving pet by spending as much quality time together as possible.
- Add more mental enrichment to his routine, as this will distract them from sitting on their negative feelings for too long. In this case, consider getting them new interactive toys.
- Stick to your grieving dog’s daily schedule; any disruptions to their routine may make them feel more insecure and, ultimately, intensify the grief.
- Last but not least, seek professional help if you’re worried about any prolonged negative behaviors from your grieving pet.
