How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

I just found my 4 year old DS hamster dead. He loved his hamster so much. I don't know how to tell him. I am so sad because I know he will be sad.

DH wants to just replace it but I told DH that may be hard to do because we had Chico (the hamster) since he was a tiny baby. He is (or was ) big and a fatty and his color was white with gray and brown. Not a really common color combo. So I def think DS will notice that.

Any ideas on how to tell him? How to make it easier for him to deal with it? I feel so bad for my DS right now.

UPDATE:

We decided to sit him down and talk to him about it. We had a busy day so after karate class we took him for some ice cream and told him the truth. That the angles came and took Chico to heaven. I didn't get to finish talking and he just started crying his eyes out and before I knew it I was crying and so was DH.

We didn't have him bury Chico because he didn't want to put he did draw a picture and asked me to mail it to heaven for him melt my heart!!!

He is doing better now. We are going tomorrow to see new hamsters at his request. I told him if needed time we can wait however long but he wants a new friend. So here I go again on the same road. At least now we have a better understanding of how to handle this.

Thanks ladies.

Message edited 8/18/2007 9:22:22 PM.

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet

oh geez..we went through this with a bird recently..it was gut-wrenching.
They handle it better then you think.
I think if you replace it and its noticed he will be more upset.
I would just explain it was his time to go..and he is in heaven with the angels and ask where he wants to put him in the yard..and does he want to make a picture for him, and have a funeral.
I know..its like having your heart ripped out when you watch them cry like that.
hugs

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet

The first time my oldest daughter had to deal with the death of an animal was when she was three. It was my MIL's dog. I told her that "Snipe" had gone to Heaven and she accepted it very well. I know that when it is a pet of your own it is more difficult, but, I am a firm believer in being truthful. Children will accept things better than most adults. Questions will be asked and, as long as you don't go into specific detail, it should be fine. We've had many animals die over the years and it seemed that the older my children were the harder it was for them. It was, probably, because they understood the concept of death. When they're small, they really don't get it. Don't try to replace the animal without your child knowing and be truthful with him. Everything will be fine.

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

Bump for update.

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

Our cat died when DS was 3 or so. We told him that she had really bad boo-boos, and she died. We try to be upfront with him, but explain it in terms he could understand. He seemed to take it pretty good. Our dog is getting old, and he's not going to be around much longer.... I'm not looking forward to explaining that to DS, since now he's a bit older. I'm not sure how he'll handle it.

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

Aww, Im so sorry about the hamster. I hope your DS is doing better.

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

Your story made me cry...

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

awww

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

My brother has 2 hamster that he just bought from a pet shop, they are both pregnant (unbeknownst to my brother and SIL) they are about to pop, would you like a new baby hamster?

Re: How to deal with a death of a pet--Updated

Just saw this post now. I posted this in another thread & thought it might help: