Why do dogs run off to die?

[Virgil]

I had a poodle for 16 years that ran off to die. In a way, I am glad I did not have to see her dead. It is a common occurence that dogs will run off to die. I have asked several people about it that are into dogs including a dog catcher. She said they just want to be by themselves.

The dog catcher talked about how strong the bond a dog has for a human when she spoke about picking up dogs on the side of the road that had been there for days waiting for their master to return.

When you have a dog a long time you learn how they think and how they communicate. I understood my poodle very well, but I am not sure what she was thinking when she finished her water in the night and went out her doggy door for the last time knowing she would never return.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Virgil...

I don't know why dogs feel the need to die alone. However, My poodle died a year ago (@ 15) and I still miss her. My condolences to you...

[nomaco-10]

2. Very sorry for your loss.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

3. i think that's a rational explanation

that they would want to be by themselves. It's very possible that the instinctual habit, from the pack days, is still very much active in our now domesticated friends. It could be that, in the pack culture of wolves and wild dogs (from which most dogs are now descendants) they attrition off the weakest members of the population - the wounded, sick, and old - to better use resources and maintain mobility.

[camero]

4. sorry for your loss

I think it has something to do with the bond that you had with your dog. Maybe your dog did not want you to see it die because of the emotional pain involved.

I had a dog that did this once and it was a dog that never left my side. I didn't even need a leash for him. He just liked to be with me.

[grasswire]

5. oh, my heart is breaking....

...it's so sad. What a sad event for you.

My 16-year companion, my cat Chester, died two weeks ago. The last couple of days he tried to sit by the back door, even though he hasn't been outside in years and has made no effort to get outside. I held him in my arms and carried him out to smell the breeze a last time. I believe he would have gone away into the bushes to die, if he could.

It will hurt for a long time, friend. I'm still bawling my eyes out.

[janx]

6. When I was a kid, I had a couple of dogs who ran away to die.

And we had a great home for them. They were not expecting us to follow them.

Dogs are my favorite animals, and I have raised and known a few. Some of them just freak out and run away to die. When they do this, they are not expecting you to follow. They don't want you to.

[Nomad559]

7. Donnie Darko

From Donnie Darko:

Every living creature on this planet dies alone ... Roberta Sparrow, aka Grandma Death

[Guaranteed]

8. I'm really sorry, Virgil...

That's really sad...I've lost pets before...it's one of the most horrible pains in the world...

[SOteric]

9. I'm so sorry for the loss of your little companion.

Dogs don't all go off by themselves to die, but it is pretty common. It's motivated by a strong 'pack' mentality. Some dogs are so protective of the pack that at signs they may be ailing or vulnerable, they will leave their home (their pack) rather than infect or drag down those whom to them are family.

It was a strong instinct to protect you that drove your friend to leave, rather than a lack of loyalty and affection.

[Lexingtonian]

10. all kinds of creatures do that

People often try to.

They appear to find/feel their physiological stress level growing and it probably seems to them a lot of numbing of their senses. Which lessens their ability to tolerate further physiological or psychological stress, particularly challenges by other animals.

Some just let it pass over themselves lucidly, especially if their surroundings are peaceful. Others try to find a dark, quiet, and hidden corner.

[roguevalley]

11. my condolences, sweetie. My dad still talks about his bulldog, who got

salmoned. he went to each of the family and laid his
head in their lap and then went outside and died by
himself. He still tears up 68 years later. Animals are
noble and we're lucky to be their friends.