YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - How to tell my 3 children that our dog is sick and will no longer be with us??

bobohyde · 09-06-2012, 08:43 AM

I feel they need to be a part of it. How old are you kids? When our beloved golden retriever died of cancer, he had no symptoms (only about 2 weeks of symptoms in hindsight) so it was very sudden when he collapsed. Within 2 days, he was on the verge of death. The vet actually came to our house to "help" him pass. My kids were 14 and 16 and had never experienced losing anyone close. In fact, neither had my husband or I. My husband was the only one who couldn't grasp that calling the vet wasn't "killing" him, it was helping him stop suffering as there was no hope of recovery. The kids begged him as they wanted to end our best friend's suffering. They understood better about letting go than my husband did. My husband did come around within a couple hours and we were all with him when he passed. I believe it helped all of them when their grandfather died suddenly a few years later. If you children are old enough to understand, make them a part of losing this important member of their family. It helps them prepare for future grieving and also raises them to understand that our pet are not disposable, they are valued, members of our family and we love them very much.

09-06-2012, 08:43 AM	#12
bobohyde Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: c Posts: 427	I feel they need to be a part of it. How old are you kids? When our beloved golden retriever died of cancer, he had no symptoms (only about 2 weeks of symptoms in hindsight) so it was very sudden when he collapsed. Within 2 days, he was on the verge of death. The vet actually came to our house to "help" him pass. My kids were 14 and 16 and had never experienced losing anyone close. In fact, neither had my husband or I. My husband was the only one who couldn't grasp that calling the vet wasn't "killing" him, it was helping him stop suffering as there was no hope of recovery. The kids begged him as they wanted to end our best friend's suffering. They understood better about letting go than my husband did. My husband did come around within a couple hours and we were all with him when he passed. I believe it helped all of them when their grandfather died suddenly a few years later. If you children are old enough to understand, make them a part of losing this important member of their family. It helps them prepare for future grieving and also raises them to understand that our pet are not disposable, they are valued, members of our family and we love them very much.