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.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Julie, I too hope that day is a long long way off for all of us. I'm glad you have found a vet that can help you when the time comes though. The one we had previously has retired and my current vet doesn't make house calls. I need to find someone again...one of these days...:(

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

I definitely plan on having an in home euthanasia for mine and I did suggest it. This mom felt it would be too hard for her, the kids and memories. That's fine of course. I makes sense to me that the other dog would understand the state of death and be able to accept it. 

It's good to have a plan though at least, and I agree with you in having an in home procedure 100%.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So sorry for their loss.  Not sure how much help this will be, but I have to say that I think that Mike and I were both a little shocked that Lucy didn't have more of a reaction when we lost Sophie.  She seemed to really understand how sick she was during the last months (she even let Sophie have her birthday cookie and the whole big cookie cake without saying a word) and when we came home without her Lucy just really didn't seem to act much differently. We were looking for signs.   I think that it was more noticeable a month later when we went on a two week trip just to get away.  Sophie was the ring leader and Lucy just sort of followed her lead.  When we were travelling with only Lucy you could tell that she was a little more nervous than normal.  I really think it was a bigger adjustment for Mike and I than it was for Lucy and as you know they were litermates.  The whole time we were on vacation it just seemed so odd that we didn't each have a dog to walk.  Fortunately it was while we were on vacation that we learned of the possibility of a new arrival to our family.  

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

That may very well happen in this case as well since Onyx has been sick for about 4 months. Murphy knew to leave her alone when she was resting instead of pestering her to play and he left her alone when his mommy brought onyx her own bowl of food. They normally free feed out of one big bowl all day.  It will be a bigger adjustment for the family, as the children are 6 and 4 and have only known 2 dogs. Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

I'm sorry to hear this, but it's so wonderful that you, Murphy and Bella are helping your friends in this way.  Fortunately I've not experienced this yet either, but like others here, I can't bear to think about how hard it will be when the day comes.  I hope Murphy's return to his house goes as smoothly as possible and he adjusts well.  Sounds like he has an awesome support system! 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I'm sure Murphy will grieve but here's an idea I used with my 2 cats.  I put the crate pad with Mistral's scent on it, in Song's bed and she stayed on it for several days and slept on it for several weeks until she came around.  So sorry for Murphy and his family.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sue, I have no advice, but wanted to say how sorry I am about your friend's dog. It is nice that your dogs can help Murphy. 

[cheryl & oliver]

Before we got Oliver, w ehad two Aust. shepherds for many years. when the older one, Token, our beautiful black and white Aussie needed to go to the rainbow bridge, , he was 15 yrs old, and we did everything we could to keep him with us for as long as we could.  when we finally had to put him to sleep, our other Aussie, a red merle named Rennie, was just devastated. he refused to eat, we had to literally drag him out of his crate, and he would cry and sigh all day.  He kept looking for his buddy, day and night. He wouldn't eat, and barely drank anything. I was spoon feeding him water to make sure he didn't get dehydrated.  Our vet said it was the worst case of grief he had seen.  He was the one that suggested we get a pup, or another dog at  least to help our Rennie get over his loss.  that is when we got Oliver, in came this spunky little,( well not thaat little, lol) 10 week old Goldendoodle.  At first Rennie wouldn't look at him, but within a week, I would see them playing with each other.  Rennie was a changed dog, he started to eat again, he was still looking for his lost friend, but in time, Oliver and Rennie became best friends. Oliver would follow Rennie around, and Rennie loved it, lol, he was finally the alpha, lol..for many years poor Rennie was not the alpha, Token was.  Rennie went to the bridge 3 yrs after we got Oliver. he was 14 yrs old, and I know that because of Oliver, we were able to keep our Rennie for the extra three years. So I am sure that by putting them together will be a great help to offset the loss, I am so sorry for your friend and their family.  It is so hard to lose one at any time or age...Sry this is so long, but I ramble....

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

So sorry Sue you are going through this and I'm sure Murphy will be ok with all you are doing to help Murphy with the transition.  My heart breaks for all of you.

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Years ago, we had a German shorthair pointer who was about 2 years old when we brought home a new baby dachshund. Our GSP - Lou, immediately adopted him like he was her baby. They were always together. At age 15, we sadly had to send Lou to the Rainbow bridge. Dexter mourned her terribly. He slept on her bed with his head on her toys. It was SO sad. Eventually he seemed to accept that she wasn't coming back, but must admit that I don't think he ever totally got over that loss.

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

That is so sad. Luckily we aren't seeing any of this with Murphy. Looks like he's just the same happy go lucky goof he always is so far. He's getting lots of attention and loving from his family this week too so we hope he's going to do well.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Good news, Sue.  I hope Murphy's mom & dad are doing well too.