it does look a bit odd. don’t know about grief but they seem to be aware that something is happening to one of their own.
Why not? Animals are so much smarter than we think. I swear my dogs know when I’m sad. My malti-poo is not a very loving dog. She’s smart, but she’s bit of a loner. In the ten years I’ve had her, I’ve been truly, truly sad to the point of crying maybe three times. Each of those times that dog came over and licked my face and curled up next to me. She NEVER does that. Ever. They know.