This past month Wag Zone lost one of its oldest and dearest friends when our sweet Huxley Pritchard passed away surrounded by his loving human parents and fellow poodle brother, Fergus.

It's hard to lose a pet client. It's the worst thing about working in this business. We see some of our four-legged friends every day and they leave an indelible mark on our hearts - we come to love many as if they were our own. Fergus and Huxley in particular have impacted us tremendously.

Fergus and Huxley have been daily regulars at Wag Zone since before it was Wag Zone, since way before any of us - even Shelley - have worked here. We long knew this day was coming when we would have to bid farewell to one of our 'boys'. Huxley's passing came as no surprise, given how his body had slowly been robbed of its strength despite the fortitude of his spirit. But in spite of that, the loss still hit each of us here at Wag Zone hard. As we processed our own sadness, we were most concerned for Fergus, his twin brother, who never strayed far from Huxley's side no matter how incapacitated he became. How would Fergus manage solo?

Initially, Fergus was a trooper, coming 'alive' in his own way. Able to be more active than before, when his sole mission was to keep his virtually bed-ridden companion company, Fergus flourished, mingling with the pack and even chasing balls. Then within a few days Fergus wasn't eating so well, his mom said, he seemed a bit lethargic. The grief had finally crept in.

Some are surprised when they hear that dogs can grieve, but it is not uncommon. There's no way of knowing what dogs understand about death, but many dog lovers have experienced a dog who became lethargic, upset, or even ill after a dog companion dies. This can naturally compound the grief in the family at large. It's heartbreaking, especially when you are trying to process the loss yourself. Grieving dogs can become withdrawn and stop eating or they can also become clingy. Not only are they feeling the loss, they are trying to come to terms with their new place in the pack.

Distraction is a powerful ally when helping your pet process grief. Bringing your dog with you on outings - even if just to keep you company in the car - can help lift your pet's mood. Lots of loving affection, walks and playtime not only deepen your bond with your dog, they also make life more interesting for your pet. Then, it simply takes time, just as it does with we two-legged creatures. If distraction and attention do not seem to lift your pet from the depression - especially if he or she continues to not eat - a visit to the vet may be in order. Anti-depressants can be helpful for the hardest hit pups.

Replacing the passed pet may or may not be the best thing for the family and for the grieving dog. Sometimes it's best to let everyone get through the tough bits before bringing a new pet into the environment. Then again, sometimes that form of happy distraction can be sufficiently uplifting to move that sense of loss into a place of fond memory. It's an individual choice that only each family can make for themselves.

As for Fergus? He's doing much better. He's still not 100% himself yet, but he certainly relishes his daily Wag Zone fun and is quite happy to be spoiled rotten with all our head scritches and wrassles. And it helps that his people are committed to ensuring his life is as full of love and happiness as can possibly be.

Fergus and Huxley are, and have always been, lucky, lucky dogs.