Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 7 yr old golden retriver was raised with an older dog, who was alpha in the relationship.
Last week due to divorce my ex took the older dog. Boliver, my retriver has not touched his food since.
He is very mellow and follows me everywhere. Actually he has become a much better behaved dog, but I am worried about him not eating.
Can someone help?

>>My 7 yr old golden retriver was raised with an older dog, who was alpha in the relationship.
>>Last week due to divorce my ex took the older dog. Boliver, my retriver has not touched his food since.
>>He is very mellow and follows me everywhere. Actually he has become a much better behaved dog, but I am worried about him not eating.
>>Can someone help?

>>>>>>>>>>>

This breed usually eats well. I would get him to a veterinarian. Just as with us, times of stress can bring out physical illness in dogs that require medical care. I have an article on behavior/emotional things you can do for grief, at the link below my signature. Free, of course.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Rule out medical issues and if it isn't medical, well, this is just something that time will heal unfortunately. Sorry- I hope things settle down in the household soon. Dogs pick up on the emotions of the family a lot and tend to mirror what is going on. Heal the house and the dog will follow suit.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

you see the dog
seems to be SAd very sad
she might start eating agian were those 2 friends?
read stories on snopes.com
about dogs and your heart will break a little then maybe shatter
try getting them together sometime and they might feel better
hey if your bestest friend betrayed you would you eat?

In '96 when I lost my hound Annie it was very hard on me and my Chihuahua LaVie. LaVie was very depressed.

To get her to eat I had to hand feed her at first, things like chicken, tortillas, and a bit of mac-n-cheese. Sounds weird but these were her favorites and it was all I could get her to eat at first. In time she went to more normal foods and then back to her food.

I sat with LaVie for long periods just talking with her about how much I too missed Annie. You see, Annie was one of those rare "soul" dogs that you bond with beyond being able to explain.

LaVie came through it okay but she never did more then tollerate other dogs after that. She didn't play with any other dogs again, just humans and an occasional toy. Not even my parents or gramma's Chi's. LaVie lived a long life, I lost her in '04, she was almost 16 yrs old. So, it changed her but she was okay in time.

Good luck with you boy. Please keep us updated.

This is an old picture of LaVie and Annie, from '91 I think. LaVie would have been about 3 and Annie about 8.

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tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'