Discussing the loss of a pet

[wahmof3]

Yesterday my family had to make a decision to put our family dog to rest.

My family has dealt with it better than I had expected. In fact my own kids have been my support the past couple of days. Telling me that he is not suffering and in a much better place and that one day we will be with him again. I am so very blessed! lovethis

I just don't know how to address it with my DCKs. He was a major part of my program, always greeting the families when they arrived and always walking them to their cars when they went home and always letting the kids love all over him. Omg, tears. sorry. Big breath.

He was the best dog ever!!

How do I talk to the dcks about this?

TIA

[Recie]

there are many books that help deal with death im sure if you check with your local library they will have soemthing that will help the children. some might even have discussion questions.

here are some book titles:
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
Jasper’s Day
Toby

[saved4always]

I do not have any reccomendations on how to tell your daycare kids, but I do want to offer my heartfelt condolences. Having just gone through this with our own sweet family dog, I know how awful this is for you and your family. We had decided just a week ago that our dog had to be put to sleep, although he passed on his own just 3 hours before his appointment. It is a heartbreaking decision to have to make and I just wanted to give you a ((hug)) and tell you how truly sorry I am for your loss.

[Crazy8]

so sorry for your loss. We went thru the same thing last year but my daycare kids were all pretty young and I really didn't have to explain beyond that he was old and went to "doggie heaven".

I had the most caring family that brought me a sympathy card and another family I purposely didn't tell - took them 6 WEEKS to notice he wasn't here!!!!

[wahmof3]

I do not have any reccomendations on how to tell your daycare kids, but I do want to offer my heartfelt condolences. Having just gone through this with our own sweet family dog, I know how awful this is for you and your family. We had decided just a week ago that our dog had to be put to sleep, although he passed on his own just 3 hours before his appointment. It is a heartbreaking decision to have to make and I just wanted to give you a ((hug)) and tell you how truly sorry I am for your loss.

Thank you

I am so sorry for your loss too. Its hard to let go even though we know its for the best, no more suffering.

Its amazing how our pets become part of the family. I keep remembering the good times and how he had such a great life.

[wahmof3]

so sorry for your loss. We went thru the same thing last year but my daycare kids were all pretty young and I really didn't have to explain beyond that he was old and went to "doggie heaven".

I had the most caring family that brought me a sympathy card and another family I purposely didn't tell - took them 6 WEEKS to notice he wasn't here!!!!

Thank you

I am thinking this is the route I am taking. Most of my kids are too young to understand but I do have 2 DCKS that are 4 & 5 and if they ask I am going to say that he had been sick for a while and he went to doggie heaven.

The DCF that has the 4yo I haven't said anything to and just like you I think it will take a while before they even notice.

[wahmof3]

there are many books that help deal with death im sure if you check with your local library they will have soemthing that will help the children. some might even have discussion questions.

here are some book titles:
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
Jasper’s Day
Toby

Thank you

I will check these out

I appreciate it

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I'm so sorry.

We've had to go through this several times, as I keep chickens and there are lots of predators in the area. I recommend talking honestly and openly, but only offering bits of information at a time so as not to overwhelm them with more than they're ready to handle. Judge by their questions and comments how much they're wanting to know.

And I second the recommendation to read books. We love the book "Lifetimes" for explaining life and death, "I'll Always Love You," "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney." And it's not about a pet (rather about an old man and an old tree), but my kids adore "the dying book" (in other words "The Growing Up Tree.")

[BusyBee]

There is actually a book called Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant. It is good but it always make me choke up when I read it.

[Kaddidle Care]

My husband's boss gave us that book when we had to put our 17 year old Golden to sleep. Ugh! I read it once, cried and have yet to open it again.

Young ones don't really understand. My youngest was 3 and he had no concept of what was going on. My 13 year old, on the other hand was a basket case along with my husband.