[Karinka200]

I would recommend letting Rocco see the body. We put Jess (the healthy dog) in another room when the vet came to put our yellow lab, Bayfield, down. After we had some private time, the vet and her assistant took the body away. They asked if we wanted to let Jess see the body...but we were so distraught and in tears, we just said no...take the body...

I think that was a mistake. For several days, Jess sat at the end of the driveway, facing the direction where Bayfield loved to go, and just stayed there. She wouldn't move, lay down or anything. I would call her...she would look at me....and then look away. It was heartbreaking. We tried so hard to keep the schedule normal and upbeat, but she went into what seemed to be a depression. She wouldn't even play anymore. We weren't going to get another dog for awhile...but thought maybe we should start looking sooner for Jess's sake. Once we adopted Rose, about a month later...Jess's demeanor changed instantly. Jess once again became the "matriarch" and had someone to "boss around" and "show the ropes to."

But, you know your dog... and as Jas's mom said...Rocco will still have you....so you need to do what feels right. I am just offering you "our experience" to help you make YOUR decision....whatever that may be....