Old Dog in the Pack

Recently my mother brought my aged Beagle Hound for an overnight visit.

When my old Beagle met my young Border Collie for the first time a few months ago, he liked her and was quite the gentleman, deferring to her age at the food bowl even.

This time was different. His consistently gentle, respectful self appeared changed at the food bowl when he growled at her, preventing her from eating. It took me by surprise until I realized the sad fact that she is dying.

You see, dogs have emotions, but they are canine emotions and not human emotions. Dogs respond according to their age-old instincts which, in this instance, meant that those who are dying are supposed to leave the pack. She tried in her own way to leave, but was unable.

Those remaining in the pack deny the dying one food, driving him or her away and saving the precious food for the young and productive ones. You see, the old ones survive for a while on the fringe by eating off the carcases abandoned by the strong ones.

Sad, but true. Don't misinterpret the interactions of younger dogs with very old dogs. They are not being rude or improperly aggressive in most circumstances, but instead are responding according to ingrained pack laws. It defies our human emotions.