I work at a local German Shepherd rescue. Recently, we took in this 4yr old white German Shepherd. The owner (who was a trainer) had died, and rather than seeing her put down at a shelter, we pulled her and brought her to the rescue. She was fine for about the first two or three weeks, then she started showing only mild interest in her food, became withdrawn from the other dogs, and lacked any interest in life whatsoever.
Now, she has lost a significant amount of weight and is still lethargic. She almost acts or behaves likes she's hungry, but when food is put in front of her, she is very disinterested in it. The only way we are getting her is to eat at all is to put canned food on our fingers and putting it in the roof of her mouth.
It's almost like when she first got here, she thought she was "just visiting and her owner would be back to pick her up. After 2 or 3 weeks though, it seems like she came to the realization her owner was NOT coming back.
The vet checked her out, and she is HW negative, has no thyroid problem or diabetes. The vet gave her a clean bill of health and said there is no physical reason for her not to be eating. We feel she is mourning the loss of her owner, but we don't know what to do to get her over it. PLEASE...can you give us some insight as to what we might do to help Gypsy? She is in the house and we pay a lot of attention to her. We have 35 other dogs here too, so we can not devote ALL our time to just one dog.
We don't know what to do? Please give us any suggestions you might have. Gypsy is a BEAUTIFUL dog, and so calm and loving.
With Warmest Wishes & Thanks for your Time
Midge
Answer:
I do hope that Gypsy is coping somehow. The Bach Flower Remedies can help tremndously especially Star of Bethlehem for grief and Walnut for coping with changes. A good homeopathic remedy for acute grief is Ignatia, but it sounds like it would be really good to contact a holistic homeopathic vet to advise you. I do feel you are absolutely right in your feelings that she felt she was visiting and now wants her trainer with her, it is so sad as I can see what a wonderful loving dog she is and I know you are doing everything you can to reassure her. Please let me know how she gets on
Much love to you I totally know how hard it is to lose a your best animal friend
Madeleine Walker,
Animal Communicator
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Disclaimer: Madeleine Walker shares insights derived from animal communication. Any advice she offers is not meant as a substitute for veterinary care or basic dog obedience training.