More animals-and-grief stories

Dear Dr. Fox: First of all, I wish to say how much my wife and I like your column. Secondly, we wish to convey a message about a happening with two of our cats.

We had two male cats, both black: one 17 years old and the other 2 years old. They were best buddies, hung out together, ate together and played together.

Our 17-year-old developed kidney disease a few months ago, and passed away about two weeks ago. We wrapped him in a small blanket, and had him in our house for two or three days until the weather cleared here so I could dig a grave in our backyard where we could bury him. When the time came, a very amazing thing happened: Our 2-year-old cat instinctively knew what was happening when I picked up our deceased cat to take him outside to bury him. He led us across the yard to the gravesite, watched the burial and watched me fill the grave with dirt, then watched over the spot for several hours.

My wife and I were amazed at the love our cat showed for his buddy and how he knew what was happening. — H.H. and C.H., Norman, Oklahoma

Dear H.H. and C.H.: It is thanks to readers of my long-running newspaper column who share some of their experiences about their animal companions that we can truly advance our understanding and appreciation of our fellow creatures, and slay the naysayers who deny them consciousness and basic rights.

I would like to hear from other readers about their animals’ reactions to the death of another animal or person in the family. In my experience with dogs, it is good to let survivors examine the deceased. However, once, one of our dogs became very upset when we placed the body of a beloved dog in the grave we had dug in our backyard; she began crying and digging frantically to retrieve the body. So I do not advise that they be allowed to witness the actual burial.

Medical marijuana for pets proposed in New York

A bill introduced in the New York State Assembly would allow veterinarians to prescribe marijuana, but the bill has not attracted a sponsor in the Senate, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been cautious about expanding the state’s marijuana laws for humans. Similar proposals to legalize veterinary medical marijuana are under consideration in California and Nevada.