BEFORE HE recently passed, my husband would tell me how much he loved the two of us. Meaning me and Maple. Our dog.

He and Maple were inseparable. Even as Jerry lay on a hospital bed we had placed in our family room, Maple would pop up and lick him. That made Jerry smile when he had little else to smile about in the throes of Lewy body dementia.

After Jerry died, Maple wasn’t interested in things she used to love, such as toys and food. Like me, she was suffering from grief. How could I help Maple?

Kathryn Dench, chief veterinary adviser at Paw Origins, which sells pet supplements online, offers tips:

→ Maintain normalcy. Routine is key. Keep walks and feedings consistent.

→ Provide extra attention. Give your pet more cuddles and pats.

→ Socialize. Interaction with other dogs and people can lift spirits.

Maple is doing much better. Each morning at 7 a.m., she licks my face, reminding me that she’s hungry and wants love. Now we are the twosome. —Judy Mandell