Our 3 Dogs Prove They Know Franklin Passed

Dolly put her paw on top of Tyler's for a long period

If you read our blog from May 9, you know our 16 year old Dachshund Franklin passed on Friday, May 8th. As a dog dad and an author of 2 books on how pets communicate from the afterlife, I've learned a lot about the emotions of dogs and that they also experience the same grief we do when they know someone passes (whether other pet or human). In today's blog, I'm sharing some observations of how our dogs Dolly, Tyler and Dash acknowledged Franklin's passing and how they love each other.

Franklin and Dolly bonded when they met in 2005 (when Tom and I met). When Tyler came into the family in late 2012, he bonded with Dolly and Franklin assumed his independence (out of love for Tyler, I believe). 

Our kids on the seat in the pickup truck 5-7-20

DOLLY AND TYLER - The week Franklin was still with us, he was in pain, moaning and uncomfortable. That's when I noticed that on Dolly's bed, Dolly had gently placed her paw on top of Tyler's paw. They sat that way for very long time. 

DOLLY AND FRANKLIN  -  On the day before Franklin passed, we took the 4 dogs out for a ride. That's usually a Wednesday thing for a trip to Annapolis and new comics night, but during the pandemic, the comics shop isn't open, so Tom and I drove to get take out on a Thursday. In the back seat, Franklin had laid his head across Dolly's outstretched legs for most of the 25 minute round trip. Dolly let him do that, and it's because she loves him. 

L to R: Tyler, Dash (front), Dolly (back)

Franklin the week before he passed

RECOGNITION OF FRANKLIN'S PASSING BY THE OTHER DOGS

After Franklin passed at the veterinarian's office on May 8, when we returned home, his sister and brothers knew what happened. 

ODD BEHAVIOR - When we came in the door (in our distraught emotional state), his sister Dolly brought us a toy for the first time in about a year. Tyler and Dash wouldn't stop sniffing us. They knew, they recognized his decline over the last couple of months, too.

SNIFFING FRANKLIN'S OUTDOOR SPOT -The next morning, a Saturday, after our other three dogs woke up, they all went out in the fenced in back yard to do their business. Dolly, our senior Weimaraner who grew up with Franklin and lived with him for 15 of his 16 years walked over to the spot on the grass where Franklin used to go. She bent down and sniffed it, apparently looking for his scent. 

DOLLY MAKES A STAND- After Dolly and the other two dogs came back inside the house, she walked over to Franklin's bed (that was still there) and put her right paw in it. She has never done that in all of her 15 years. 

She stood there for a good minute and looked at me. 

It was then I knew she was acknowledging Franklin's passing.