Lifespans

Question
Hi,
I have a 6 year old English Springer Spaniel and 6 year old Boxer, both male and neutered. They are a month apart in age, and were adopted a week apart (at ages 9 weeks and 6 weeks respectively).

I was recently researching the average lifespans of these breeds, as they are my teenage childrens (15 and 16) dogs, and I would hate for them to become ill and pass away while the children are in college. I really should have thought about that prior to adopting them, but it's a little late now.

In my research, I found that the average lifespan of an English Springer Spaniel is 13.0 years, and that of a Boxer is 10.3 years. Now I'm worried about my dogs more than my children.

Since the dogs were raised together, and become very upset when separated ... what would happen to the spaniel if the boxer died? Would he become so listless that he too would die? The boxer is already showing some grey around the muzzle, and while he still acts like a puppy, I'm worried that if he passed away the other dog would pass away soon after.

I've heard of mates passing away one right after the other. Does the same hold true for packmates?

Thank you for any help you can provide.


Answer
Naomi,

I've learned the hard way that there is no point worrying about the things that we can not control.  Death and the time of death is one of those things that we can not control nor predict.  Yes, pets grieve when a housemate dies, just as they grieve if a human packmate is lost.  I have seen some elderly dogs go downhill pretty fast if their best friend dies, but I've also seen them do just fine.  

Average life spans are exactly that, averages.  Some dogs die sooner, and some much later.  I've had dogs die at 5 years old or younger and some die in their late teens or later. The youngest dog I had die of cancer was 7 weeks.  The oldest dog I ever treated (I pulled his last tooth under anesthesia and he still woke up and bit me) was 23 years old.  

The things that are in your control is  getting them good preventative medical care, and loving them.   That's all you can do.  Enjoy them while you have them.