I know that animals have feelings. Our dog now who grew up with our pigs four years ago thinking they were her brother and sister. When we took them to the butcher she moped around for about a month afterwards. Even now she treats them like playmates and when they go in she gets sad. She even plays with the steers. So she will be sad in Oct. and in March.
Thanks for posting this picture. He probably smelled his friend, and as you say, was guarding him. My dogs and cats have a very strong bond with one another that is precious.
Well I just took the last half hour getting ready to go out now I have to go put my makeup back on, we just lost a 14 year old family dog this week also, the only thing they can do to hurt us is to leave us too soon.