will my dog mourn me?

Question
QUESTION: I have a wonderful 7 year old dog that is very attached to me. I am considering finding him a new home because I really feel he needs more attention than I can give. He is home alone a lot and my teen girls don't bother with him. He wants and deserves more love and attention than we give him. I feel so guilty because im afraid he won't want to live without me. Will he be okay if he has a new home? How do dogs handle that situation? The new owner we're considering will be able to return him if he cant adjust, but how long should it take him to feel at home there? Thankyou,

Helena

ANSWER: Yes, he will notice you are no longer there and will most likely miss you.  If he bonds with a new owner though, he will slowly get over you, just as a human would.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How long do you think it will take? He's only been with us his whole life. Iv'e also heard that dogs "live in the moment", do you believe that?

Answer
I think with as humans, it's different for every dog.  Some dogs have terrible separation anxiety, but it sounds like your dog is used to being home alone and does alright.  OTOH, a lot of dogs spend the day alone when their owners go to work.  If you pay attention to him when you get home, I think he's getting enough.  It's great that you're thinking about doing the best for your dog, but I think being home alone during the day and getting attention from you at night is still better than you not being there at all and having to get used to someone else.  I have a dog and I'm home most of the day, I still only pay attention to him 3-4 times a day.  The rest of the time he sleeps, which is probably what you're dog does when you're gone and he barely notices you're not there.  Normal dogs sleep almost 20 hrs a day.