Dogs don’t understand death — but what they do in the first 72 hours after losing their owner is gutting

Everyone has different notions about death. Some believe it's the end of our physical existence but the beginning of our spiritual journey, while others argue that death is an absolute end of consciousness and identity. Now, interestingly, just like humans, animals, particularly pet dogs, also understand death, but not in a way we comprehend it. A beautiful animated video, shared on @selftrue.journey's Instagram page, explored this sheer reality while talking about the various stages a dog goes through in the first 72 hours after losing their owners.

"Medical workers who've witnessed what happens when someone passes away at home with their dog present have documented something that will break and heal your heart all at once," spoke a manly voice in the background, explaining what a dog experiences in the first few hours of their owner's death. The minute a dog feels someone's absence, they start searching for them, pacing between their owner's favorite spots in the house. Notably, their investigation isn't random; the dogs basically follow the exact pattern their owner usually moves through the house. "By the second day, they begin to sleep on your clothing, pressing their face into items that carry your strongest smell," the narrator shared.

Calling it the most "heartbreaking" sight, the video further explained how many hospice nurses recalled watching the grieving dogs sit by the door for hours, waiting for their owners to return. "They are not just missing you; they're preserving the ritual of connection you shared," the voice said, explaining how most dogs refuse to eat unless it's offered from their owner's favorite chair or the side of their bed. Moreover, the video revealed how families who have seen a significant shift in their dogs' behavior share that they often heard them "whimpering" in an unusual tone that some animal behaviorists believe is a "specific vocalization reserved for grief." By the third day, although the dogs don't stop missing their owners, they start becoming more protective of the ones who grieve along with them, often offering them the comfort they need.

In 1996, a fascinating study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) claimed that around 63% of dogs showed changes in vocalization, with some vocalizing more, and others slipping into a quiet solitude after losing a companion. Further, the report shared that as many as 36% of canines lost their appetite almost immediately.

Meanwhile, the emotional reel quickly went viral, receiving an outpouring of love on social media. Echoing the sentiments, @devang_pithiya shared, "I have always loved all my dogs from the bottom of my heart, and I cherished the memories we shared. Dogs are the most beautiful creatures in this entire universe." Similarly, @leaharcenas12 commented, "As sad as it is, I don’t want to die before my dogs die. I would rather live years with a broken heart after they are gone than leave this planet without knowing who will take care of them. Will they be just as loved after I am gone? It breaks my heart knowing they will forever miss me, and in their final moments, I am not there. I would rather mourn them forever than let them die thinking I abandoned them."

On the other hand, @beardedpete revealed, "When I was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and given a prognosis of 5 and a half years, my first thought was as long as I live long enough to outlive my dog (he’s 15 now), I’m ok to go to whatever comes next. When we are both gone, our ashes will be mixed together and scattered in our favorite place. Dogs are the purest of beings on our planet, and we can learn so much from them." 

You can follow @selftrue.journey on Instagram for more wholesome dog-related content.