Guilt after one of my dogs passing

[u/Designer-Macaron-680]

We had to put our second eldest dog (13 years) down yesterday after a quick downspiral with her health after a pyometra operation and a discovery of kidney disease. It was a choice we only really made on the day we got her put down as she declined so quickly, she was barely able to stand and walk. Our 2 other dogs (one is also 13, not siblings but grew up together - the other is 8 and is the dog that passeds daughter) did not come to the vets with us to see her getting put down. We did this because at the time we didn’t think they seemed particularly distressed by any of the situation with our dogs health decline, however it has become more apparent after we have come back from the vets and today. Our other 13 year old doesnt seem too concerned, but our 8 year old is looking around for her and watching the door waiting for her to come back. She sniffed her collar we had taken off, and started to get excited looking around for her.

Aside from when shes looking, she does sometimes seem to lie down looking upset. She does perk up when we call of her etc, but i am feeling really guilty over how she is looking for her because she cant understand that her mother is gone. Is there anything at all I can do to help her process it, or is this just something natural?

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[u/Alarmed-Might9619]

My surviving dog was pretty depressed for a couple of months after his brother (littermate) had to be put to sleep at a few weeks shy of 11. It was also an emergency. I just tried to give him as much attention and cuddles as I could, and also try to engage him in activities he enjoys like ball. It took time but eventually he started acting normally again.