Do dogs grieve?

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

There are many of you who just said, “yes,” as you read this headline. Pets do grieve, and just like people, each have their own way of dealing with change, and the loss of a loved one.

During the past few weeks I have been stopping in at my friend, Yvonne Presley's house, and visited with her as she sat by her husband, Art's bedside at Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House. Art passed away in the wee hours of the morning, on Aug. 5.

More than once, Yvonne took their dogs, Trip-E and Char-Lee, to Hospice. I like to think Art knew they were there, and it was a way to let the dogs know what was going on, or at least see where their friend had gone.

Art was a familiar visitor to the Flagler Humane Society. If you've ever rested on the large, extremely heavy wooden bench in the foyer of the shelter, you've experienced one of his carpentry creations. A self-taught carpenter, Art was always creating or fixing something, usually to benefit the animals.

We all miss Art, as do Trip-E and Char-Lee. Art adored the dogs, and they adored him. The foursome were regulars along Linear and Waterfront parks, walking nearly every morning. They sat by his chair while he watched Jeopardy. Now they don't really know what to do with themselves.

I stopped at the Presley house on my way home from work recently, and as we sat at the dining room table and talked about funeral arrangements, Trip-E dragged his bed from the other side of the room, placed it under the table between our feet, and flopped down across it. Char-Lee curled up on Art's favorite chair. The one he sat in to watch Jeopardy.

They are literally “dogging” Yvonne's steps. Every time she gets up, they get up, even if she's only getting water from the refrigerator. They're keeping a close eye on Yvonne.

There have been a few behavioral changes; accidents on the floor, not coming in when called, and Trip-E is on his umpteenth bed (he's chewed the rest of them). These are things to be expected, but as things settle down, into a new routine, the dogs will adjust.

It just takes time, and lots of patience.