I Am Really Worried About Oliver !!

[cheryl & oliver]

Since we had to put Renny down a month ago, Oliver was really sad and looking for him, but this seemed to pass, and he was doing great.  I would go out to do errands and i didn't need to crate him, he wasn't doing any damage to anything.  He would hang out in front of the window in my office, or the sliding glass doors in my kitchen.  He now seems to be very very sad, that is the only way I can describe this, he is kind of lethargic, lays around a lot, but I thought maybe he is bored?  We took him to play with the doodle down the street, and he was ok, but then sort of came to me and laid down by my feet.  No interest in continuing play. He has become very clingy with both me and my husband, he is very attached to us and i undrstand that, I love when he rests his head on my leg sort of leaning into me, but he is much more attached now.  Then he decided that he wouldn't eat his food, he is on TOTW, since a young age, and today he refused to eat it at all this am.  He usually loves his food and inhales it, so we are trying Fromm's now.  He ate it ok, but not enthused, I just can't put my finger on it???..Is he lonely? is he ill? is he depressed?  I called the vet today and he wants to do a blood work up tomorrow on him and just check him over.  He mentioned something about poss. Addisons disease since he has poodle in him?  He told me not to get nuts, he just wants to make sure all is well since he had a stomache problem last month...He just isn't himself and I am so worried....I am hoping and praying that this is a delayed reaction to Renny's not being here.  I am sorry this is so long, I just need to get some thoughts on this...Thanks, Cheryl

[cheryl & oliver]

thank you Doris, I appreciate your caring and the prayer.  I am so hoping it is just the funk...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Hope it is all for nothing and that Oliver is just missing his buddy!  We will be thinking of you and crossing our paws here!  Keep us posted.

[cheryl & oliver]

Thanks lucy, I will let you know as soon as I know...

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Just wanted to add our thoughts that we hope Oliver is back to his old self soon!  I do know that dogs go through a big adjustment "grief?" when one of their family dies, I've seen this with my dad's dogs.  It took a while for the remaining dog to work through it but he eventually came around.  I hope that is all that it is!  We'll be watching for an update after the blood work.

[cheryl & oliver]

thanks Jane, I so appreciate everyone's concern and good wishes for us.  I know he was grieving, but I thought he was really getting better,a nd then this.  i do have to say that he ate his breakfast this am with gusto, he seems to l ike the Fromm's, and his bowel movement this am was fine too, of course it is really the first day, but I have everything crossed that i can that this just grief, and he just decided he didn't like his food anymore.  i will keep everyone informed after we get the bloodwork back.  He is going today, so prob. by Mon or tues.

[11tgl0lcv5ms0]

I think that he is suffereing from the loss Renny.  These doodles are very smart and feel emotion.  Maybe some playdates with other dogs will help him get some company again.  I would check out his bloodwork to make sure nothing is going on.  So sad to see them like this.

[cheryl & oliver]

Hi Peggy, he is going to be with another doodle that lives down the street from us on Sunday.  They rescued a doodle from DRC, after they met Oliver, and they play together sometimes.  I am having a house full of company 18 people with little kids, and i don't want him stressed out, not that I don't think he would, but he is going to the doodles house down the street for a few hrs whild company is here....so he should have a fun day....

[Corinna and Krimmi]

Before we had Krimmi, we had 2 other dogs.  When we had to put our beloved Shepherd down, Lizzie was totally distraught. They had been together for 13 years.  She displayed all the same symptoms you mentioned.  Our neighbour would tell us that she cried when we weren't home, she ate less, played less etc (Border collie cross so she usually always had energy) 

It took about 6 month before she settled into her new role as "only dog"  The funny thing is that she actually took over some of our Shepherds characteristics.  He was always the one to bark when someone came to the door, she NEVER barked until after he was gone.  Then she would bark when someone approached.  It was very strange but somehow comforting because we all missed our boy.  Give Oliver a bit more time to adjust.  Unfortunately they can't tell us what they're feeling but I am sure he is grieving just as you are now that he is realizing that Renny is not coming home :(

[cheryl & oliver]

Corinna, thanks for the info, I am so hoping that this is all it is....Yes we are still grieving Renny, so why shouldn't he be also.  We are going tomorrow for the bloodwork just to be sure.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Cheryl, I'm so sorry that you and Oliver are going through this.  I do think it's great that he's going to have a work up which will then rule out anything physical.  As everyone else has said, I too feel this may just be his reaction to losing Renny.  I'm sure he also senses your sadness.  I'll be hoping for good news from the blood tests, and the rest may just take a little time.

[cheryl & oliver]

thanks Jane, that is why I called the vet, I just want to be sure...I just hate to think that he could have something wrong, and I missed it...

[Sharon & Monty]

Try not to worry so much.  It certainly could be that he misses his buddy.  Blood work, yep vets and doctors like that approach, gives them a wide scope of things to look at.  But it surely doesn't mean anything is amiss.  Hang in there, don't let Oliver see you worry so much.