Any time the dog is mourning and you attempt to comfort it, you actually enforce the behavior and make the mourning last longer. It is natural for the dog to mourn, but it will get over the loss much faster if you treat it normally and actually ignore the whining/crying.

I know that is difficult to do, but it is better in the long run.

Getting the dog to socialize with other dogs temporarily will help. Getting a new dog can be good or bad---depends on the particular dogs.

Why not take the present dog to a rescue and see if it can bond with an older dog---that might be much better than getting a new puppy.

I am so sorry for your loss. I knew a very bonded pair of dogs. Two rotties were the sweetest thing. When Nicky died...Thor followed within a week. I like handy's suggestion of getting an older rescue dog. Dealing with a puppy is always hard no matter how cute they are, and puppies can also be a pain to an older dog who has no desire to constantly play. I hate the thought of ignoring a dog in mourning, If I were mourning I would not want people to ignore me. And I do believe dogs have feelings too. They remember and they hurt, just like we do. At least that has been my experience although I know alot of scientist and dog behaviorist would disagree with me.

I am also sorry for your loss ... it's very hard when you are mounring, to be able to help a dog that is also mourning.

Years ago, when my female dog Brandi passed away, my big guy Dakota mourned ... he laid around all day without moving. I couldn't stand it because Brandi had been the life in the house, and when she was gone it felt like I had no dogs since Dakota wouldn't move.

I ended up adopting an 8 mos old female, Lily, a month after Brandi passed away. Dakota was thrilled, and is still thrilled. She snapped him out of his funk and brought him back to life.

I also would find it very hard to ignore a mourning dog. It would break my heart.

I'm so sorry.

Rather than sympathize/empathize/reinforce her crying, you can re-direct her energy & attention;
take her for walks, get her circulation going, etc.

I wish you the best.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I agree with re-directing her energy and attention. That worked for our older gal when she lost her older housemate. I have had one pup mourn so deeply that she wouldn't even eat. After 6 weeks of watching her, we decided to get another puppy. The day after we brought the new puppy home she snapped out of it almost instantly.

If you decide to bring another dog into your life, I would also recommend getting an older dog.

Best of luck,
Linda

So sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss, it's so difficult to lose one of our furry little companions.

I would not ignore your dog's grieving process. I wouldn't make a huge deal about it, but don't ignore it. She is hurting just as you are.

Getting another dog can be very beneficial, but at her age, I would not get a puppy. Your other dog's health will deteriorate eventually, and a puppy can just be too much for an older dog with issues. I was in that situation and it was not great.

Perhaps you could work with some rescues in your area and find an adult dog, another Peke if you prefer, and do a test drive. Most rescue groups are willing to let you take a dog for a week to see if it is going to work for everyone.

I'm so sorry about your Mandy. The only experiences I can share involve my parents' two dogs that were adopted together (they weren't litter mates but were raised together from the time they were puppies) They adored each other. In April the male passed away and the female (they were 12) was devastated. She just wasn't herself anymore. She didn't cry or whine, but laid around the house and just slept and wasn't interested in anything. My parents had two other dogs at the time that were both under two years old so they were still in the puppy stage. Both dogs loved their "big sis" but because they were rowdy puppies that always wanted to play they annoyed her to no end. Also since the puppies were always in your face wanting attention the older girl didn't get as much attention. She just went downhill from there and she passed away in august. She was spoiled rotten in the end though (when my parents realized she wasn't doing well they took her for walks all the time and lavished her with attention and she loved that)

I think that getting a puppy might be a bad idea because it might make your older dog jealous of all the attention a new puppy receives. I agree with the others that getting an older dog is probably the way to go. Good luck and I hope your dog is ok.

Thank you all for you sympathies, and your suggestions.

Last night at bed time, Gina continued her stance in the hallway, looking, waiting, whining. I got up in the night to find her still standing there. Not sitting, just standing staring down the hallway. Felt so sorry for her. She hasn't eaten a thing since Monday, sleeps most of the time. She doesn't really seem to want our attention right now, either. I did groom her today. Usually, she bounces around and is a real pain to groom. Today she just sat there and didn't move a muscle. Although she can't walk more than a few blocks, think I'll try that this afternoon. Peke's have big sad eyes anyway, and she looks even sadder now. We haven't talked more about another dog. We are planning to be gone a week in November, so isn't a good time. My nephew will care for Gina while we're gone. Maybe that will perk her up. She usually gets excited when he visits.

Thanks again everyone.

I'm so sorry.

Gina is doing so much better. I took her for a walk today. She made it about 6 blocks before she just sat down. Then I had to carry her home! But I definitely see a smile on her face! Really, I do!

She still has not eaten a thing...but I think DH is sneaking her treats. She's definitely more loving than she used to be, constantly wants our attention, and snuggles right in when you pick her up.

So things are looking up.

That's GREAT news. Treats to encourage her to eat are not such a bad thing.