We had to put down our Maggie who was 8. That was 3 weeks ago. It was one of the worse days of my life. Our male boxer is 4 and is so down in the dumps & depressed. He is a totally different dog. He was always the wilder one. Maggie was the brave one, the leader. Chester did everything Maggie did. Now he stares at the door & out the window or just into space. I make an extra effort every day to play with him and give him more attention but it is so sad & pitiful. Thankfully he still eats. Everyone says to get another puppy. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this and if that is the answer.
4 yr. old male mourning his best friend
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ELubas
Boxer Insane
I am so, so sorry for your loss of your girl. I actually lost my younger girl and my boy was heartbroken. In thier case she was his "puppy" even though there was only a year between them. He protected her from the day I brought her home, and mourned pitifully for several months. I let him go through it. In that respect, they are like us, they need to mourn. I did leave all her stuff out-toys, crate, bowl, and he would lie in her crate and sleep with her toys. I think you just need to love him, hang with him , and he will come around. I did get another pup and I do not regret it but it certainly did not "replace" Ailis for Frazier-he and Nysa have a very different relationship. If your boy loves other dogs in general then I do think you should think about getting another. I think boxers tend to do better with company-they are not solitary souls :( I wish you and your Chester well-it is so very hard. God bless your Maggie at the bridge
Gin&Dex
Super Boxer
I too am so sorry to hear of your loss and Chester's mourning.
I've also been through it and it is not easy. You can see from my signature that I was also blessed with two Boxer babies. When I lost my girl from cancer in 2005, my boy mourned BIG time. The two of them were sooo close, in age, and in spirit, it was very hard on my boy. In our case, I was "lucky" (hard to call it that though) that I knew the end was close for my girl, and I knew Dex would take it hard. I started him on Clomicalm several weeks before she passed, but it was still very hard for him.
For us, I made time each and every day to spend special time with Dexter. I'd take him for a ride in the car, or a walk. I'd speak in a happy happy voice (it was hard at times) as often as I could. Special treats, special toys, even though he didn't necessarily want anything to do with them. I gave him as much attention, positive attention, as I possibly could.
I am not suggesting medication, but it may be something you want to ask your vet about if it is really bad. It helped us and is something to think about.
It sounds cliche, but time really will heal the hurt. My suggestion is do not get another dog, unless YOU really want one. Getting a new dog is a big decision.
Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Give Chester a hug from us! I'm sorry he is so sad... :(
Hugs to you. Hang in there and keep us posted.
I've also been through it and it is not easy. You can see from my signature that I was also blessed with two Boxer babies. When I lost my girl from cancer in 2005, my boy mourned BIG time. The two of them were sooo close, in age, and in spirit, it was very hard on my boy. In our case, I was "lucky" (hard to call it that though) that I knew the end was close for my girl, and I knew Dex would take it hard. I started him on Clomicalm several weeks before she passed, but it was still very hard for him.
For us, I made time each and every day to spend special time with Dexter. I'd take him for a ride in the car, or a walk. I'd speak in a happy happy voice (it was hard at times) as often as I could. Special treats, special toys, even though he didn't necessarily want anything to do with them. I gave him as much attention, positive attention, as I possibly could.
I am not suggesting medication, but it may be something you want to ask your vet about if it is really bad. It helped us and is something to think about.
It sounds cliche, but time really will heal the hurt. My suggestion is do not get another dog, unless YOU really want one. Getting a new dog is a big decision.
Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Give Chester a hug from us! I'm sorry he is so sad... :(
Hugs to you. Hang in there and keep us posted.
kayboxer
Boxer Insane
I'm so sorry for your loss, it breaks my heart to think about it. This situation will happen to us and I think about it every day. I have an 8 yr old boxer and a 9 mo. old boxer boy. I know he will be lost when she leave us for the Rainbow bridge, but I'm hoping we still have a few years before we deal with it. My husband and I have talked about it, and have decided we will definately get another one. I love having two boxers in my house, and Buster has only known life with a "boxer sibling". I just can't imagine him being alone, he loves to play and he loves her. I will always have two boxers. 
I am so sorry that you lost your Maggie! :( It is one of the most agonizing decisions to make, and my heart aches for you, and for your boy. I hope others sharing their experiences will help you. Time to grieve and comforting one another helps to heal broken hearts. Thinking of you and sending hugs to you and Chester.
bayleighmom
Boxer Insane
We are going through the same thing. We had Wyatt put down on Tuesday and Bayleigh is completely lost. Wyatt was top dog. It is so hard to watch. She has been sleeping on his bed and has refused meals. I will keep his bed out for now if it will help her!
bayleighmom
Boxer Insane
I had always told DH that Bayleigh would need a companion after Wyatt passed. He now realizes how close they were. I always thought I would want another dog immediately but now am not sure about that. I have to heal too. Bayleigh and I will heal together. Then maybe later, we will make the decision to add another.
liamsmom
Super Boxer
so sorry for your loss. it's even more difficult when you are watching another dog mourn the loss as well.
when we lost Dakota to cancer......Zuki was sleeping 23 hours a day...LITERALLY.
we tested the waters to see how she would do with another new brother by taking her to visit a friend who fosters for rescue. well......Zuki was a different dog when we got her around other Boxers. so.....we knew what we had to do.....GET ANOTHER BOXER.
so...we adopted Liam and Zuki was back to being the happy girl that she always was.
when we lost Dakota to cancer......Zuki was sleeping 23 hours a day...LITERALLY.
we tested the waters to see how she would do with another new brother by taking her to visit a friend who fosters for rescue. well......Zuki was a different dog when we got her around other Boxers. so.....we knew what we had to do.....GET ANOTHER BOXER.
so...we adopted Liam and Zuki was back to being the happy girl that she always was.
Murp.mm
Boxer Insane
First let me say how sorry I am about your precious Maggie. You must be heartbroken. From what I've read it is quite normal for animals to mourn when they lose another animal close to them. Just like humans they miss that closeness they had with the animal. So Chester is going through a very sad time which makes it even sadder for you. Wish there was something I could say or do to ease your pain. Ali & I send lots of hugs to you and Chester. Rest in peace sweet Maggie. 
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