closure to a grieving dog!

[Miss Molly May]

here's a nice story that I thought I would share with you!
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A visit to his master's grave seems to give closure to a grieving dog.

Washington Post, Thursday, August 12, 2010; PG15


Dear Dr. Fox:

Your recent column about how a "dog's devotion to master can lead to the grave" is similar to what occurred with our golden retriever more than 20 years ago, when my husband died, at 46, after a four-year battle with cancer. During my husband's illness, Friday lay beside his bed, provided support when my husband walked, and never left his side. Friday obviously knew that something was wrong. He was devoted to his master.


Before my husband became ill, he was a senior sports-and-news cameraman for a major TV station. Because of the nature of his assignments, my husband's work hours were unpredictable. Regardless of the hour, Friday always knew when my husband was headed home. He ran to the front door, wagging his tail, and he sat patiently until my husband's car pulled into the driveway.


After my husband's death, which took place in a hospital, Friday sat at the front door all day, every day, whining and waiting for my husband to return. He stopped eating and wouldn't leave the front hallway. He refused to play with our children, whom he loved, because "guard duty" was his only purpose. He left his post only when he needed to be walked. My heart was breaking for this dog.


After one week of watching Friday's vigil, I decided to help him understand what had happened. Hesitantly, Friday left his post and got into the car with me. His car behavior was unusual: He paced from window to window, looking everywhere for my husband. I drove to the cemetery, and we walked together toward my husband's grave. As we got closer, Friday pulled away from me and ran directly to the grave. He lay down atop it, closed his eyes, and just stayed there, quietly. I didn't try to talk to Friday or disturb him. He needed to grieve, too. After an hour, Friday got up and walked over to me, using his mouth to hand me his leash. He was ready to go home.


On the way back home, Friday lay quietly in the back seat. After we arrived home, he kept kissing my hands as if to say "thank you," and he never again sat by the front door waiting for my husband to return home. He now understood. Although obviously sad, his behavior returned to normal around the children and he began eating again. In time, he healed, as did we.

L.B.J.

Lake Worth, Fla.
DF: Many readers will join me in thanking you for this remarkable example of giving a dog closure with regard to your husband, whom Friday perhaps thought was still alive. Your devoted dog clearly advances our understanding of how much some dogs know and feel. We should never underestimate their ability to comprehend and make every effort, as you did, during such difficult times of bereavement to help them when they are grieving.

[KZoppa]

oh that made me cry!

[Miss Molly May]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

oh that made me cry!

me too sorry!!!!

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Miss Molly May

me too sorry!!!!

no worries!!! its sweet!!! its not one of those totally sad bawl your eyes out stories! Its a sweet bonding kinda story and helping the ANIMAL to grieve as well instead of just thinking about the humans.

[RogueRed26]

That was beautiful.

[shannonrae]

A touching story! Thanks for sharing!

[bianca]

[vat]

Dang it now I gotta go reapply my mascara. that was great!

[Stogey]

Thank you for sharing that, I often wondered. Wonderful story !

[kiya]

I have to show this to my husband, I want my dogs to be able to sniff my dead body so they won't wait for me to come home. Maybe this will make him understand.