Murphy is helping his real brother. UPDATE

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Murphys litter brother, also named Murphy, is losing his 11 year old sister, Onyx, today. Onyx is a german shepherd, who has become increasingly sick and debilitated with arthritis and bone cancer. It's time to send her to Rainbow Bridge.  Murphy has never been an only dog, and loves to play and romp with his sister, so his mom and I anticipate Murphy's grief.

 Our plan is to keep the brothers together for a few days, to help offset the loss.  They love spending time together and whenever one or the other of us goes away for a few days, it's eachothers' houses they stay at, so they really are like "brothers".

We can only hope this eases their Murphy into accepting the loss with minimal sadness. Any other suggestions from those of you who have lost your second dog? How did your surviving doodle do with the change? What changes did you see in him/her, if any?

UPDATE:

Murphy appears to be doing well. He keeps running in and out the doggie door like he's looking for Onyx, and laid down in Onyx's special spot last night during dinner, but otherwise no whining, crying or looking depressed. So far so good. He's a real people lover, so as long as he has his people around him, it looks like he'll be ok. Thanks everyone.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thanks Linda, Mom is still weepy everytime she talks about Onyx, but she realizes it's just part of the process. I will let her know everyone is thinking of her.