It’s Friday again! My favorite day of the week. 
I’m definitely looking for some help on this one. Last night was difficult, as we lost one of the kittens that we’ve been raising for over 5 weeks. Tomorrow we’ll bury her, and I’ll need to answer all of the girls’ questions about what happened.
So I’d like to know – have you ever lost a pet? Do you have any suggestions for how to help young kids understand loss?
Thank you…
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July 18th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Oh no
So sorry! What happened?
Yes, I’ve lost pets, but it’s been a really long time – we had a neighbor who didn’t like cats, so she poisoned several of ours
Without knowing how the kitty died, I can’t really tell you what I’d tell the kids, though. But I’m really sorry
Poor kids & poor kitty!
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near Yous last blog post..Do you boxtop?
July 18th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Our beloved dog of 13 years died while we were on vacation last month.
We just explained to the kids that she is in heaven playing with all the other doggies and is painfree and carefree. We told them that she isn’t alone because Grandma Pat and their sister will take care of Kylee for us. We also have a book called “All Gods Creatures Goto Heaven” that is a good read for these times.
I’m sorry about your loss.
Alexiss last blog post..Aloha Friday #1
July 18th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I’m very sorry. I do know how difficult it is to have a pet die.
Because we lived in the country and all of our animals were subject to the elements and unfortunately the food chain, (coyotes, bobcats, hawks) from the get go I taught my kids that our pets were members of our family. We love them and care for them but they do die. (I’m sorry if I sound harsh) We have a strong belief with our religion so the kids always knew their pets were with our Heavenly Father.
Cathis last blog post..Aloha Friday – Product Reviews
July 18th, 2008 at 9:08 am
yes when i was a kid and I cried and just remembered the good times
July 18th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I was honest with the boys about the accident with our kitten. They were upset at first and didn’t understand. I just tried to answer their questions as best I could. Sadly they still bring it up every now and then.
I think having a little funeral for the kitten and let the girls talk about the loss and their feelings is good.
Jeans last blog post..It’s A Good Thing Random Is The Norm Around Here
July 18th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I’m so sorry about what happened to the kitten. We don’t have a lot of personal experience losing a pet with the kids yet luckily.
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July 18th, 2008 at 11:25 am
We had to put down our dog last month because he was biting people. We told the little one he was in heaven. But one of our big kids was mad that we had done it and told her daddy shot him. NOT HAPPY!!!!
With the little ones it is better to just explain that things die and it is OK to be sad. A particularily sensitive or very young child will like to know that the pet is in heaven.
Our older kids know that we don’t know if they are in heaven. We did some studying and the Bible says in Ecclesiastes that “noone knows whether animals go to heaven.” We just get to guess!
Qtpies7s last blog post..Aloha Friday #2
July 18th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Oh I’m so sorry, I hope you find the words for your girls. They’ll be so sad
I’ve never lost a pet but I probably would just tell them the ruth of what ever happened, and let them ask questions and answer accordingly.
Dees last blog post..WI-FI-and Dust Free? Show ID
July 18th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I have lost a pet, but not when I was under 10 years old! I do not know how you deal with such an issue as that. Especially when they are really young! I know I will run into this situation so I will be reading your posts!
Stop by my Aloha Friday question, a little more uplifting and something you rprbably never have thought of!
http://www.lifeislikechampagneblog.com/
happyathomes last blog post..Last call for ice!
July 18th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
yes, we have lost a few pets. even though most have been when the kids were older, it’s never an easy thing for anyone.
when our kids were really young (2 & 4 i think), we lost our dog. if i remember right, we just explained that animals, and people, die. and that God wants to spend time with them in heaven with Him. of course, it was more detailed than that, but i honestly don’t remember all the details now.
i’m sorry for your loss and good luck with the girls.
diana/sunshines last blog post..i’m no rocket scientist
July 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I’m still sad when I think about pets I/we had.
I haven’t had to explain it to my children yet; so I’m not sure what to tell you. I think I would try to be honest and let them know that it’s OK to be sad.
Jendis last blog post..It’s a Technological Age
July 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Yes, three. And they were 9 years old – 16 and the one most recent was 14. It was painful and terrible…but I wouldn’t have the first clue about what to say to a child. I’m sorry you’re going through this.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
So sorry to hear about the kitty. My advice is be gentle but honest. Kids seem to take it all in stride and will remember this for a very long time. It would be nice for them to look back and realize mom always trusted them with the truth.
Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazys last blog post..Aloha Friday
July 18th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I`ve lost many animals.
The absolute worst was my dog, Niko, that I got when he was a skinny, undernourished puppy here in Guatemala. In a week, he was a roly-poly little ball of energy. We had him for two years and even though he scared the crap out of everyone (he was a German Shepherd and HUGE compared to the underfed Guatemalan mutts), he was the sweetest dog.
One morning, we woke up early and he wasn`t in his usual spot outside the front door. My MIL called us and there was poor Niko looking glassy-eyed and making weird noises. The neighbor had fed him crushed glass. I bawled my eyes out and Irving made me go to work. At the break, I got a call saying they had put my poor dog down. We haven`t had another pet since then.
Expat Moms last blog post..The Joys of “Just Trying to Help”
Oh no – that is so cruel! I can’t imagine having to go through that, and can understand why you haven’t had any more pets. That is absolutely horrible – did you have any recourse against the neighbor?
July 19th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I’m so sorry. And yes, I’ve lost many pets over the years, cuz we’ve had so many. I wish I could help you with explaining it to the girls, but I’m not the one to ask. I’m sure you’ll do a perfect job.
Sher
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Sher
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July 20th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
My condolences to you for your loss.
Yes, my pet cockatoo passed away almost exactly four years ago. My feathered angel helped to save my little boys life since I was too upset and was not on the road the next day when my son had a febrile seizure and stopped breathing.
My suggestion is to ask your local librarian for some books on death, specifically about pets. There are some amazing books out there.
TheAngelForevers last blog post..We are not tired Mom
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I’ve had cats all my life and have lost them along the way. However, my daughters have never had that experience yet. This is probably a great time to explain to them the circle of life. Still, I’m sorry for your loss.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I’m very sorry for your loss. I lost my dog, Miko a few years ago and I was devastated. I cried for many nights. My son was still very young then. I made sure he didn’t see the lifeless body of our dog and we buried Miko without him knowing. When he asked me where Miko was I told him he went to heaven.
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