How To Help Pets Left Behind..., Surviving dog misses deceased Options

[shadded dreams]

Hello all!! Today is day 5, and things are looking a little less blurry. I still miss my little Zip, but doggie daddy and I have resorted to talking about the good times, and the fun times Zip brought us. My question now is, for those of you who have surviving dogs (or cats?) how can you really help the survivors not to be so lonely? My survivor Toto is quite lonely, and doesn't want me to leave him at home. He is doing a little better about things today. But if he hears my Zips tags (which I have attached to my purse with a personalized key chain) he comes running and looking, as if to say "Hey, Zip! You're back!!" And Totos actions are saddening me further. What do you do? Toto is prone to whine in the evening, as if to ask where is Zip. When I leave the house, Toto tries to get out, as if he thinks he is going to see Zip. I have a very hard time leaving with him acting this way, but to be here at home, is too much for me right now. What to do, what to do? I am not, nor will I ever be as close with Toto as I was with Zip, as Zip was my first ever pet, and I had Zip before I had kids. Not to say that I don't love Toto, because I do love him. I do spend time with him, give him treats, pet him, sit with him...etc. But we got Toto from a shelter for abused dogs, so Toto is not the lovey, huggey, kissey, snuggly dog that Zip was. I can't act like that with Toto, as he doesn't care for that stuff. It's as if Toto is happy as long as someone is home, his bowls are full, and he can come and go outside as he pleases. Thanks for letting me vent. I already read the forum page on the grieveing of animals, but gave me no ideas, or tips that have been tried. Any ideas, let me know!! Thanks again for being here!! Zippers Mom

[mittens_is_gone]

Dear Shadded Dreams.

I am sorry to hear you are having a tough time with your surviving pet.

My husband had gotten Mittens and Spunky at the same time, they were sisters and just 8 weeks old. They were born September 1, 1990 and we just moved into our very first home on November 8, 1990. So they have been together always. After we had put my beautiful best friend Mittens down in November, her sister Spunky kind of walked around the house lost for a while after. She would go around as if she was looking for her sister, but didn't know why she couldn't find her. It was very upsetting. But, now she loves being the center of attention, she is extremely vocal now, way more than she ever was. She comes into the room and meows really loud, as if to say, "here I am, pet me, love me, pay some attention to me already." It's almost funny, but I kind of want to cry because I see her and realize how much I miss her sister. Sorry, I am rambling...and crying, again.
I loved having two cats in the house, it doesn't feel right having just one. I mentioned to my husband about getting another kitten, but he is not in favor of it. I don't know.

Janice