Queen’s beloved corgis Muick and Sandy may show signs of depression in her absence, says dog expert
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: As the Queen’s death had saddened people all across the globe, her loss will be felt by Her Majesty’s beloved corgis too. According to dog expert and founder of pet personalization product website Yappy, John Smith, the concept of death is not understood by dogs, but they can still feel the absence of their owners. Queen Elizabeth had two corgis Muick and Sandy, around her till the end.
“Though dogs don't grieve death in the sense that humans do, they can suffer feelings of loss and emotional despair which can be seen in abandoned dogs,” the expert told Daily Mail. He added, “These feelings can lend themselves to common and often devastating symptoms, such as whining, pacing, howling, loss of appetite, fidgeting, broken sleep patterns, anxiety, and lethargy.”
READ MORE
“The corgis won't fully understand the extent of the Queen's death, but they are very intuitive and will understand the emotion of missing someone that's no longer there. Just like humans, some dogs can become depressed,” Smith explained.
The dog expert understands that if these symptoms are persistent in Muick and Sandy, then they may need intervention and extra support as they try to settle in their new homes. It is now known that the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York will take care of the Queen’s corgis, as they made an appearance at the Windsor Castle quadrangle during committal service.
Smith said, “In a time when everything around them is uncertain," they should be given extra attention and distract them as much as possible with walks, games or cuddles. He added that an approach should be adopted where "good behavior like not howling or barking should be reinforced" too.
“Due to their independent nature, it may take some time for them to adapt to their new life with Prince Andrew. It will be a very unsettling time for the corgis, and they may become anxious and find it difficult to trust those around them. However, although they can be a little territorial in the home, they will eventually start to feel at ease with their new surroundings,” the dog expert concluded.
He believed as both corgis were present during the final procession of the Queen’s funeral, they may not have understood she was in the coffin, but with the help of their strong sense of smell, may have identified her scent.