Dogs Who Mourn: Meet 4 Who Openly Grieved the Loss of Their Humans

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/causes/dogs-who-mourn-meet-4-who-openly-grieved-the-loss-of-their-humans.html


by Susan Bird July 23, 2014 5:30 pm

Never let anyone tell you dogs don’t feel loss when their human companions die. Dogs are complex, devoted animals. They have a keen sense of loyalty. For some dogs, the death of a human friend is devastating and life changing.

These are the stories of four dogs who mourned the loss of their human friends in moving and extraordinary ways.

Little Man: The Dog Who Wouldn‘t Leave

Ronnie Ward spent a lot of time with his beloved bull terrier, Little Man. It’s no wonder, then, that Little Man refused to leave his side when Ward collapsed and died on July 11, 2014, while walking by the river near Oklahoma City.

Police reported that Little Man stood watch over his deceased friend in blistering near-100 degree heat, never leaving Ward’s side even to drink from the nearby river until Ward’s body could be removed from the scene. Authorities struggled to pull Little Man away from the body, but he fought them every step of the way. Early reports indicated Ward was a homeless man, but that was later determined to be inaccurate.

Little Man showed clear signs of sadness and depression at the animal shelter to which he was taken after police found Ward’s body. He refused to eat, drink or even lift his head. HLN reported on the dog’s obvious distress at the loss of his companion here:

(THREE more stories & video at link at the top. )

Don’t worry about Little Man, though. Ward’s daughter has adopted him, happy to give a home to her father’s faithful friend:

THREE more at link at the top.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. They are amazing creatures.

My husband was gone for over a month for business, the longest he has ever been away. Our dogs were ok the first week but after that became very unhappy. One of the dogs is more attached than others, he would not sit on the couch as he normally did, he would sit in front of the couch were my husband usually sits. One he came home he almost devoured my husband, his papa. They are back to normal, but I did see them mourn his being gone. It is very real.

So glad Little Man has someone to love and care for him. He will meet his master again at the Rainbow Bridge.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Cats too can be exceptionally attached to their humans.

Mine keens when I'm gone more than a couple days. Of course being a cat, when I come home he acts like nothing was amiss.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Kick

[smirkymonkey]

3. K&R!

Dogs are more human than most humans I know. They are the most wonderful, loving creatures in the world.