How to explain death of a pet?

We put my dog to sleep today (she was 11). Gracie was especially attached. (She lived w/ my parents). I just don't know how to explain it to her (she's 3). I plan on getting a book called Dog Heaven that explains all about how wonderful heaven is.

Gracie saw that she was sick & was having a hard time getting up lately; but I'm afraid to use the "sick" word w/ her (for fear when we're sick, etc.)

How did you explain it? Any tips?

Thank you.

Re: How to explain death of a pet?

I have explained heaven to my kids and that's how I would explain it to your little girl.

I am sorry for your loss!

Re: How to explain death of a pet?

A little boy that I work with at my school was 4 last year when their family cat died. He explained it all to me and said that Lily's body didn't work anymore so she went to heaven and heaven is a place where you're never hungry and you're never tired and you're never sick. He told me it's a good place for Lily to be so she'll be happy. I had to tell his mom the story and I told her I thought she did an incredible job explaining it to him! She was very honest, but in a way that wouldn't make him scared. I think it's best to avoid saying anything about going to sleep, or lying about it and saying the dog went away, or went to live somewhere else, etc. GL and so sorry for your loss

Re: How to explain death of a pet?

Jordan was 6 when we had to put our dog down I did tell her ahead of time that it was coming. I talked to her about heaven and that sometimes people and animals get certain illnesses that can not be fixed by doctors. She knew that our dog was better off in heaven and that she would be with Great Grandma and Great Papa. They were going to be so happy to have her and take care of her in heaven.

Re: How to explain death of a pet?

I'm so sorry for your loss!

When I was a kid MY dog died. I loved him like nothing else, I saved 3 years of birthday and Christmas money to get him . I remember when he died my Mom came in and told me Buddy went to heaven, and that he would be playing with his doggy parents and grandparents and it kept the crying to a minimum.

Re: How to explain death of a pet?

You are right - do not use words like sick - we all get sick and then that can be very scary!!!

When Cailen's fur cousin Baby died (who he was very close with) we were very blunt. We said "Baby died.That means her body stopped working."

But since we also practice Buddhism and bleieve in reincarnation, we wanted to explain that to him "what was inside of her went somewhere else - and maybe we will see her again someday in a different body." I know it sounds a little kooky - but he gets it.

Re: How to explain death of a pet?

i would just tell your DC that your pet went to heaven and that they are happy there.
depending on the age of course.
dif for us, but dd knows that daddy is up there in heaven. thats all she needs for now and i will explain more in depth when she gets older.
telling a child a pet was sick and isnt here anymore will make them scared of getting sick. also telling them they went to sleep will make them scared to sleep. so stay away from those ones!