Sarah Ferguson recently revealed that the Corgis she adopted passed away Queen Elizabeth They are “really happy” and seem to be recovering from their grief.
the Duchess of York63, made the comments during an interview with Rylan Clark on him BBC Radio 2 show.
She told how the two dogs, Muick and Sandy, have been keeping things going since they moved to the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where she lives.
“They’re great,” she said, “they’re really happy, and their tails are up now, so I guess it’s because they’re sad.”
But what actually happens to the dog when he grieves and what can the new owner do to help?
Sarah Ferguson recently revealed that Queen Moeke and Sandy’s beloved Corgi, are finally back to their old selves after the death of their previous owner
‘All dogs are different and will react to losing your owner differently,’ says Adem Fehmi, Hertfordshire-based canine behavior expert at Barking Heads, a high-quality pet food.
‘But some dogs.’ They are very attached to their owners, so they may feel really stressed and sad if they lose that person.
“However, they are things that can be done to help the process.”
Here he tells FEMAIL his most important insights into the world of dog grief…
How to tell if a dog is sad
Her Majesty the late Queen owned Corgis for most of her life and was known to have a special passion for the breed
Obviously, we can’t get into a dog’s mind and measure a pet’s grief. Likewise, we cannot scan them to see what is going on in their brain.
But dogs are very social creatures and often form strong bonds with their owners.
With the Queen’s dogs, there is no doubt that Her late Majesty The Queen would have had a deep bond with them. They probably miss her presence and affection, even if they don’t fully understand what happened.
Usually, to understand if a dog is sad, we have to look at its behavior. The dog may show symptoms of lethargy, anxiety, stress and withdrawal. They may go off their food and not want to be petted.
Likewise, they may hold their heads low, not wag their tails and appear sad. It may also be fast or hyperventilating.
“These can be stressful for a new owner to witness but can usually be worked out with some TLC.”
He added that, as with humans, the pain of grief diminishes with time on animals.
The importance of routine
Muick and Sandy were photographed looking sad as they waited for her funeral procession to arrive at St George’s Chapel on the Windsor Estate
Adam said: “It is worth noting that losing a dog to its owner can also mean a change in environment and routine.
It is therefore difficult for us humans to understand whether this or the loss of someone might be causing behavioral problems in a pet.
Loss of routine can be especially problematic if the pet owner is elderly.
Often families with young children and a dog may not have a clear routine or structure. The dog is simply put in as events change daily. But often with the elderly—perhaps those most at risk of death—the routine can adjust dramatically.
Typically, for example, the dog might be walked at a certain time, fed on the point and accustomed to the treat at bedtime. If your dog ends up with a new person, he may become anxious and angry that these routines have changed.
Not only may they be in a new home, they may have different eating and walking patterns.
If they are not used with children, they may suddenly find themselves among them – so all of these factors can be alarming.
To help mitigate this in the event of a loss, each dog owner He should Ideally, have someone who knows about their dog, their routine, likes and dislikes in case they die suddenly and the dog needs someone else’s care.
It’s possible, he added, that the late Queen’s dogs already knew Sarah Ferguson, so she may have already gotten used to her. It is also possible that they were walked and fed by other people while the queen was alive, which would have aided the transition.
But, he continued, “They’ll be staying in a new home with different people — so any adjustment could take time.”
Go slow
If your dog is stressed or unhappy, it may take some time to process that. This can be frustrating because a stressed dog can make daily tasks difficult.
They may not walk properly or be okay with going to the park. They also may not want to be left alone or to go to the vets.
‘Go at your dog’s pace.’ Be patient and consistent and build positive associations with kind words and rewards. If your dog seems to be getting better and then takes a step back, don’t worry about resetting.
Every dog is different
Adam advised the new owners to do everything they can to understand their dog.
He said: ‘For example, they have to look at what he is at the stage of his life. An older dog may suffer from ill health or may lose his senses. It may also have a deep relationship with its most recent owner. Thus, you may struggle with change more.
Likewise, a young dog may also need time to bond with their owners.
Owners should also pay attention to the breed. My dog is a Labrador, but if she dies, the new owner will need to understand he came from working stock, so he needs lots of exercise.
If the dog used to chase a ball but the new owner brought her a Frisbee or teddy bear to chase, she may not enjoy this and may become confused and desperate.
Some dogs will not grieve for a person per se, they simply miss the ball thrower or feeder. So, in essence, if you can repeat these things, your dog should adjust well to the new ownership.
Do the basics right
“Dogs, like humans, are social mammals and have basic needs that need to be met,” Adam explained.
They need good exercise, they need play and enrichment, and they need to feel secure in their home or environment.
Some dogs also need mental stimulation and a challenge. Others like to train and do agility exercises. But they also need love, affection and attention.
Doing all of these basics will help your dog overcome grief and have a new base.
“Most dogs want to move on and enjoy life — and if you get the basics right, it can help the process tremendously.”
Remember, it’s not just grief
Adam explained: ‘It’s important to remember that other changes also affect dogs and cause them stress and anxiety, and it doesn’t have to be sadness. The owner may get sick and not be able to care for them or walk them.
My neighbor has ataxia, and when she recently had it, the dog got really nervous. She was unsure and anxious, but re-entering her routine calmed her and helped calm her down.
