Do dogs mourn if their puppies die?

Lots of people say that animals do not feel emotion, and many religious people might say this is impossible because they believe that animals have no soul. But I believe animals do grieve when those they love die. It is obvious to anybody who has kept pets that animals are capable of feeling and demonstrating love. It is also obvious that they recognise death, or at least that a dead animal will not return to life.

I have seen wallabies carry around a dead joey in the pouch until it starts to putrefy, and when finally forced to tip it out, will remain beside it for days until it is unrecognisable.

I have seen birds that pair for life standing forlornly by their deceased partner at the side of the road until they starve.

There are many accounts of dogs, cats, rabbits and mice refusing to eat or leave the body or grave of a friend who has passed away.

Many pets will refuse to accept another owner when their owner dies.

Answer

I certainly agree with the above poster. Dogs do have souls. Some mother dogs will grieve more than others, but indeed they grieve. One only has to read the book 'Greyfriars Bobby' to know about grieving. Often dogs who lose their masters or mistress' will visit their grave often and lay across it.

My mother had a part poodle x terrier dog named Shawnee (off an Indian Reserve) and she got this female from the SPCA. My mother was diabetic and would have the odd 'reaction'. One night I was sitting at home doing some reports and I looked up at my husband all of a sudden and told him I had to go to my mother's home (approx. 9 blocks from where we lived.) I drove down (feeling anxious) and thankfully I had a key to my mothers house. Before I even got to the door I could hear Shawnee furiously scratching at the door and had no doubt if she had gotten out she would have raced up to our house. As soon as I got into the house she raced upstairs and there at the top of the stairs lay my mothers cold, clammy and in bad shape. While I phoned the ambulance Shawnee laid her own body over my mother to keep her warm. Generally an excellent and no nonsense guard dog she made no attempts to attack the ambulance drivers or firemen when they came. Was it telepathy? I think so!

I do believe dogs form love relationships with not only a member of the family, but also on occasion with their own kind. Dogs are loyal, loving, protective and that's more than most of us can say for a lot of human beings.

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