Pets Grieve Too

Q: I have father and son cocker spaniels, both born in my house and used to being together. The father is 12 years old though, so I know the time will come when he will leave us. Since the younger (age 7) has always been around his dad, when that passing does occur, do dogs go through a "grieving" process, or experience separation anxiety at having lost such a constant presence?

Jeffrey Vogl, DVM

July 6, 2011