Anyone had to explain dying pet to little one?

[Groggy]

It's darn hard to lose your mates. She would have been grateful to have spent the last 13 years under your feet after having been neglected early on. She's been a lucky dog for most of her life. Especially to have someone help her during the difficult stage at the end.

[Doughboy]

Firstly sorry for your loss. Go with the truth. Puppy is up in heaven and even let the little one say goodnight to her at bed time.

We let our son say goodnight to his greatnanna and greatpapa every night, he is understands that he won't see them again but that they are still a part of his life. Does make it much easier on him.

Besides I was five when my pet goldfish (fluffy) died and my parents told me that he ran away...... I am still cranky they did not tell me the truth but as parents we can only do what we think is the best thing for the young'ns.

Pete

[Waldo]

G'day Gra,

Very sorry to hear of the loss of a family member. You gave Pavlov the love she deserved and in return she gave you the loyalty and love that dogs give to their friends and family.

I deeply feel for you and your family as all those who have had the privilge to have a dog in their family know and understand how you feel.

[woodsprite]

Oh hell Shannon, this is one of the hard things for parents and kids. Had to have my 14 y.o. short haired pointer put down about 5 years ago. My kids knew she was sick, I knew she was sick, and none of us wanted to see her go. That decision - to end her life - was the most difficult I have ever had to make, believe me.
As a family we agreed one evening that it was time for her to go, for her sufferning to end. I dug a grave for her, we called the vet. We all sat around her, stroking her, he gave her the injection, and she truly did just close her eyes and slip away. We buried her, and shed many tears for many days, and I still shed a tear for her.

My kids were aged 3 to 12 when this happened, and we had to be honest and explain what we thought should happen, and why. I really think you have to do this too, but hell, it is so hard for kids and adults. I think discussing it then doing it should happen without delay once the decision has been made.
My thoughts are with you, and from all the posts here, there are many other people who have lost their best friend, who are also thinking of you.

[bennylaird]

Can't help ya Gra, just one of those things we have to struggle through. Leaves a hollow spot for years. I still can't watch the video we took of my last mates last day. Over reacted and have 4 now, so enjoying the good times with them.

Think you should get that lathe going to take your mind off things, make some nice stuff for the daughter?

[Shannon]

Hey there Gra,

Sorry to here of your news. It is and will be hard for a while. Just seeing the thread again reminded me just how hard!

A good news story for you in this not so bright time. Trinity my daughter who had turned 3 about 2 months before we had to let Link go was told the truth about Link getting old and that he had died and was in Heaven. She responded wonderfully, asked about him the next day as he wasn't in his usual position in the dining room, but re explained and she seemed OK.

We have a photo album dedicated to our mate and it gets looked at quite regularly by her (and us) and she still talks of him regularly, but knows he is in heaven and that she won't see him again in this lifetime.

We did not however show her that he is buried in the front garden as this could be quite confusing.

We let her talk about Link whenever, even if it was to remind her of the truth and reafirm that this was a lifecycle (as much as you can to a 3 year old.) We found it comforting and healing that things could be talked about openly and honestly and that sometimes a 3yo perspective is far better than an adults.

Good luck, and I hope your road ahead for your daughter and you guys is OK