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Behavioral changes in Angus @ feeding time.

697 views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  jennretz 
#1 ·
I have noticed that Angus has been displaying some behavioral changes at feeding time since Ax has been gone.

Lately, when I put the food dish on the floor, Angus (Puffy) approaches it very tentatively and seems very half-hearted about eating. He keeps looking around and if he hears any noise, he stops eating and looks around.

Prior to Axl's demise, Angus would attack his food with gusto and not come up for air. Ax on the other hand, would eat his food, slowly and methodically, at a much slower pace, no particular hurry which I always appreciated because I felt it reduced the chances of 'bloat'.

It occurred to me tonight, that since Ax was always fed first, without exception, Puffy is apparently still fearful of helping himself to what he perceives to be Axl's food. He learned the hard way on day 2 here that was a big NO NO and he never apparently forgot it.
 
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#2 ·
Oh, poor Puffy. I think you're onto something. He's uncertain now without Axl. I hope you give him an extra big hug and encourage him it's ok. I think he's probably missing his brother.
 
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#4 ·
Doing OK in relative terms I guess. Ax's absence is still a huge raw wound and the hole in my life where he used to be is well, enormous.

Obviously, I have been spending a lot more time with Puffy, and I think we are making strides toward mitigating his dog aggression issues. He is benefiting from all the personalized attention, and he even seems somewhat less 'spazzy' in general. I typically take him to the most deserted beach I can find and we hike a couple of miles during which I let him do a bunch of water retrieves of sticks. On a positive note, I don't need to carry anywhere near as much gear. Not exactly thrilling for me comparatively, but better than nothing I suppose. It's funny because it feels like I'm just a guy out with his dog whereas with Ax, it was 2 best friends hanging out, enjoying each other's company as well as the physical activities. Don't know if that even makes sense but it is the closest I can come to explaining it.

He has seemingly tried to step up in other ways, and occasionally he'll come lay beside me in 'Ax's spot' but he's as likely to whip his huge blocky, cement like head around and give me a concussion as he is to give some licks. Not only does he lack all of Ax's physical skills, he is just not apparently the affectionate type either despite his gentle disposition.
 
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#5 ·
My best friend had a Golden named Duke, who was one of the best dogs I've ever known. He was NOT the affectionate type either, but he would have torn the leg off anyone who threatened one of his people.
Puffy will come into his own. And it's not so bad to just be a guy with his dog - it's more than some people ever get to experience. It won't fill that hole, but it's something.

It's still hard to believe this happened to Axl.
 
#6 ·
As you know, Ax had many qualities not typically associated with golden retrievers, among which was a protective streak. He demonstrated it many times protecting Puffy, and while he was a real people dog, he would always defend his turf against uninvited strangers. He was not shy about intimidating people he viewed as intruders although he would always take his cues from me. If I told him to quiet down, he would go immediately into tail wagging friendly golden mode. I sincerely doubt someone could have entered my house up to no good and not been strongly encouraged by Ax to leave.

He was just one of a kind, and I'm still trying to get my mind around the fact that he is gone. He truly was larger than life.
 
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