Just a little background. For 5 weeks Hershel had been going with me to the veterinarian and return with me. When we left the afternoon of March 6, I knew he would not be returning with me. It was time to end his pain and suffering, but how do you explain that to fur babies? So when I returned home without Hershel, Maggie was waiting at the door to greet us as usual. She sat and waited for him to come in from outside, but when he didn’t come through the pet door after a few minutes, she started roaming and “calling” for him. Finally, she saw his collar and leash I had hung over the chair. She smelled them a few times and each time would turn to look at me. After a while, she walked away and stopped looking for him. Ever so often now she does a strange little “mew.” I wonder if she is crying or if she’s trying to let me know she’s OK. She has been sleeping beside me most of the night. But then, she had just started sleeping between Hershel and me about the time he started hurting from his arthritis. It was like she understood he was in pain and wanted to reassure him. She has started laying in my lap more (when I don’t have the computer there.) She seems to be settling into being the “only child” in the house. I’m not sure how long that status will continue because I am being drawn to look at available small dogs - particularly Chihuahuas, but there is no rush. I will wait until I find just the right fit for both Maggie and me.
The biggest difference I have noticed is a very strange one. Hershel’s neighborhood friends Luke and Sasha have not been by here to visit and go for a walk together at all since he’s been gone. In the past, they would skip days coming by when the weather was nasty and/or cold, but we have had nice weather and I’ve not seen them - not once! I wonder if they know.
Another difference - I have mentioned in the past that the deer come to the bird feeder and eat until I finally let Hershel out to chase them. It seemed to be a game for them. I have only seen them at the feeder once in these 18 days. That was the day I took pictures and posted them on Facebook.
Even the birds seem to be staying away because their feeder doesn’t need to be refilled. Now, that is strange. Right?
All these things make me wonder - do animals have an Information Network?? Do they grieve? I know Maggie has grieved along with me, and together we are moving on. When Mickey (dog) died, Phoebe (cat) grieved for weeks until I finally brought Hershel home. When Phoebe died, Hershel grieved and withdrew. Now with Hershel gone, Maggie’s behavior has changed. But the other dogs and the deer aren’t here in the house to feel our sadness, so do they know? If so, how? Is there an invisible signal that alerts them? Are they grieving? Are they trying to console the Milton Household? God knows the answer even if I don’t.
God bless all of you for reading this and, please love on those fur babies as well as your human babies. Show your appreciation for their love and companionship.
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| Hershel and Maggie |
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| Hershel and Phoebe |
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| Sasha and Luke |
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| Mickey |
