Memory trigger

My last post was about Georgie, the Under Training Guide Dog.
Whilst looking for images to accompany that entry, I found the one below, and it triggered a memory from early 1980 about one of my senior managers.
I am certain that dogs feel grief, especially when they have had a lifelong companion who suddenly isn’t there any more.
I was in a relationship and there were two dogs in the household.
We lost our GSD in 1985, and Partner and I buried her at the bottom of the garden wrapped in her blanket, with her feet pointing towards the open fields. The collie stood to one side of the mound for what seemed like hours, then pawed the ground twice, and came inside.
He became quiet and subdued, not eating and drinking little, so much so that I was extremely worried and after a week, decided to get another dog. It was a good decision.

To continue with my memory:

Peter had always had two dogs, two large dogs in fact, Great Danes to be exact.
Sadly, at the age of 9, one died, and the other was inconsolable.
Peter decided to get another, and went to a registered breeder in the area.
She had two puppies left from the litter, though unfortunately one was blind.
Peter only wanted one dog, but enquired as to what would happen to the other if he took the sighted one.
The woman said she wasn’t sure yet, as apart from being blind, the dog was perfectly healthy and in all honesty, it didn’t seem to bother him that much, especially as his brother was always at his side, and they would play, eat and sleep together.
Obviously, when he was on his own, she didn’t know how he would get on, but she was prepared to give him a chance.
Peter said he’d let her know his decision the next day as he had to talk things over with his wife.

You know how this story ends don’t you.

Yep. He took both dogs, and the one he already had readily accepted the pair of them without any trouble or hierarchy. He said it was actually quite funny to watch the older dog mother these two puppies, and settle any sibling squabbles by a quick nip behind the ear!
Being blind never proved to be a handicap for the dog either, and Peter had a special harness made so that the sighted one could ‘walk’ his brother in safety.
As far as I can remember, the three dogs lived in harmony for about four years, and the two brothers for several years thereafter.

Pictures for illustration purposes only.

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