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WilliesWife
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/07 644 total posts
Name:
Dena
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4 year old and pet death
Long story short. I think we may have to put our dog down today. I am so sad and upset. I don't know how to handle it with our 4 year old. Any advice?
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Posted 8/30/13 11:08 AM  |
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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old and pet death
We are close with my uncle and DD was 4 when his dog died. I did some googling to figure out what was the best approach. I just told her that Mugsy was sick and died, she went to doggie heaven and we won't see her anymore. I added that we are all very sad and she might see some of us crying because we will miss her. (I was crying when I told her , so she started to cry)
I liked that approach bc at 4,I started talking to her about running in the street, or just doing dangerous things in general and I have discussed dying and I want her to understand that when you die, you don't come back.
Im so sorry about your dog. 
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| Posted 8/30/13 2:45 PM |
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Re: 4 year old and pet death
So sorry about your dog. I agree with PP about being honest that the dog was very old and died and went to go live in doggy heaven. You could even add that he's very happy there, and that it's a great place for dogs that can't stay here anymore to go. And of course, that it's ok to cry and miss him etc.
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| Posted 8/30/13 2:56 PM |
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JsWife
His laugh, Her smile
Member since 12/06 2902 total posts
Name:
Patricia
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Re: 4 year old and pet death
One of our cats died 2 1/2 months ago and my kids haven't noticed yet! HaHa.
But seriously, sorry for the loss. When they do notice I plan on being direct like the pp.
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| Posted 8/30/13 2:56 PM |
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anewday
<3
Member since 9/08 1493 total posts
Name:
Dawn
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4 year old and pet death
I would just tell her the dog went to play in heaven and that everyone is a little sad that they will miss him but everyone is also happy that he is there (heaven) watching over us...its what we told my 4 year old about a family member who passed...she still has a hard time processing.
Ive just heard to be careful saying someone was sick and died cause they start to think sick=death
sorry about your dog...fearing the same convo again soon
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| Posted 8/30/13 2:58 PM |
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Re: 4 year old and pet death
Posted by anewday
I would just tell her the dog went to play in heaven and that everyone is a little sad that they will miss him but everyone is also happy that he is there (heaven) watching over us...its what we told my 4 year old about a family member who passed...she still has a hard time processing.
Ive just heard to be careful saying someone was sick and died cause they start to think sick=death
sorry about your dog...fearing the same convo again soon
ITA agree about not saying "sick". My little sister was always afraid that getting sick meant dying when she was little, probably bc of this reason.
I do think its ok to say "very old" bc very old people DO die (sadly), so it's kind of an introduction to that concept.
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| Posted 8/30/13 3:09 PM |
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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old and pet death
Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319
Posted by anewday
I would just tell her the dog went to play in heaven and that everyone is a little sad that they will miss him but everyone is also happy that he is there (heaven) watching over us...its what we told my 4 year old about a family member who passed...she still has a hard time processing.
Ive just heard to be careful saying someone was sick and died cause they start to think sick=death
sorry about your dog...fearing the same convo again soon
ITA agree about not saying "sick". My little sister was always afraid that getting sick meant dying when she was little, probably bc of this reason.
I do think its ok to say "very old" bc very old people DO die (sadly), so it's kind of an introduction to that concept.
good point about the sick thing. Maybe leave that out.
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| Posted 8/30/13 5:55 PM |
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zaidam
*************
Member since 1/07 1519 total posts
Name:
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4 year old and pet death
I am in the same boat or will be sooner than I want to be. I have been saying she's very old and sick. He says does she have to go to the doctor? I agree and will stop saying sick. Good luck, it is so hard.
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| Posted 8/30/13 9:20 PM |
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Calla
My girls
Member since 7/05 4303 total posts
Name:
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Re: 4 year old and pet death
Another supporter of avoiding the sickness topic, they will want to know that they are safe and that mom and dad are safe. I have found some conversations about the topic seem to settle when we equate it with taking turns. Each dog gets a turn then it is a new puppy's turn to be in the world. People get to take much longer turns then dogs.
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| Posted 8/31/13 10:15 AM |
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