grief

George was right beside Bling when she died. He didnt do anything much to show he was disturbed by the awful nature of what happened - at the time. But for the last few days he has been in a state of distress that I do not think I am anthropomorphising to call grief.
On the first ride that we made together with Bling- a year ago-there was an incident with a wild boar. It came on to the path in front of us in the dusk in a forest. George stood stock still in horror. The boar did the same, before taking off into the gloom..with Bling barking in hot pursuit. The boar was running away from the sight of us- but George was sure that Bling had caused it to run off. Since then we have not had a "pig freakout" from George. He was absolutely confident that Bling would keep him safe. Since Bling died George has had a pig horror that has kept him running about all night. Maybe we passed a pig an hour before we camped.. but George cannot erase the image from his mind. He has spent two nights not eating not resting just worrying. When Bling was with us, if she heard George make his snorting alarm call, she would delightedly run and bark at these shadows he was seeing. I can`t bark at shadows in a way that convinces him he is safe.
Next, last night George stayed at the stables of some friends. They have some small dogs. George looked over the stable door at them. It was heartrending to see him looking for Bling..and hoping one of these would be her, and none of them were.
Well I have lost my little friend, but George has lost his friend, companion AND guard.
I cannot think that he is any less sad than I am.