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JChia
Mom of 2 Princesses
Member since 9/07 2540 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Preparing DC for loss of a pet
Our poor dog is suffering with hip displaysia and now somehow has loss of the use of one her front legs (which the vet doesn't know the cause) She is on pain killers which are causing Kidney disease and she is in really bad shape. DD loves her so much and I know the end is near... Do you prepare DC for the evenutallity or when it does happen do you tell her the "she went to live on a farm" story...? I just don't know what to do and I know DD will ask where the Dog is ( she asks all the time anyway even when the dog is just in another room sleeping...)
Thanks...
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Posted 10/23/10 9:25 PM  |
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Tine73
Member since 3/06 22093 total posts
Name:
*********
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Re: Preparing DC for loss of a pet
I have no advice, but wanted to give you lots of 
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| Posted 10/23/10 9:38 PM |
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SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
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Re: Preparing DC for loss of a pet
We just went through this w/ my parents' dog whom my DD adored (she's 3) & DD spends 2 nights a week there, so she was very attached. In a 3 week period Dakota progressively got worse where she couldn't stand, lost control of her bowels (last 2 days) & had no appetite.
My mom/dad told her Dakota was sick & would soon be going home to see her mom/dad & her friends. My mom used the word heaven (whereas my dad used big farm). There are fields to run, lots of biscuits to eat, balls to chase & steak to eat.
When it did happen she was kind of expecting it to happen. When we went out there the first time afterwards, she realized & said she missed Dakota & I let her know it was fine to cry or talk about it & we looked at pictures of her (she had asked to).
I also got a great book called Dog Heaven which she still wants to read every single night. It's a nice book though.
So sorry
Message edited 10/23/2010 9:46:25 PM.
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| Posted 10/23/10 9:39 PM |
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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3
Member since 1/09 7395 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Preparing DC for loss of a pet
I am a firm believer in being as truthful as possible with children. I work in a preschool and one of our student's family cat died a couple years ago- he was 3 or 4 at the time. His mother explained to him that Lily's body stopped working. She explained that she could no longer live with them, because she went to heaven. She told him that heaven is a place where she would be happy and she would not be sick anymore and wouldn't hurt anymore. I think this was the best explanation I had ever heard for a kid. I think you should be truthful, but avoid telling them anything about going "to sleep" because it could cause them to be afraid to go to sleep. Same goes for talking about going to the doctor, about being sick. As far as preparing her ahead of time, I think you could start to explain that the dog's body isn't working that well anymore. GL and I am so sorry you are going through this!
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| Posted 10/23/10 9:44 PM |
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JChia
Mom of 2 Princesses
Member since 9/07 2540 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Preparing DC for loss of a pet
Thanks everyone... She knows the dog is in pain b/c she limps everywhere and I always tell her to be nice with her -that her legs hurt. Your advice will def help and I'll look for that book! thank you again...
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| Posted 10/23/10 9:57 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Preparing DC for loss of a pet
Posted by wingsofsong
I am a firm believer in being as truthful as possible with children. I work in a preschool and one of our student's family cat died a couple years ago- he was 3 or 4 at the time. His mother explained to him that Lily's body stopped working. She explained that she could no longer live with them, because she went to heaven. She told him that heaven is a place where she would be happy and she would not be sick anymore and wouldn't hurt anymore. I think this was the best explanation I had ever heard for a kid. I think you should be truthful, but avoid telling them anything about going "to sleep" because it could cause them to be afraid to go to sleep. Same goes for talking about going to the doctor, about being sick. As far as preparing her ahead of time, I think you could start to explain that the dog's body isn't working that well anymore. GL and I am so sorry you are going through this!
We also lost one of our dogs very suddenly earlier this year, and went along the lines of this, minus the heaven part. I told G that Pyxie's body was very weak, and that it was not going to work much longer. I told him to give her a hug and a kiss, and tell her how he felt about her. He did, and then told her good-bye and that he hopes it did not hurt. He is pretty astute. We took her to the specialty hospital, and she was there for 3 days before we knew for certain the treatments were not working. He only asked once or twice when was Pyxie coming home. I told him that she was not coming home, but that her body stopped working and she was gone, but as long as we love her, we will always remember her with a smile. I think that worked for him, and when he talks about her, he reminds me to smile.
I am sorry to hear about your dog
Message edited 10/24/2010 11:47:04 AM.
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| Posted 10/24/10 11:46 AM |
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