Pet Grief in a 7 year old

[crazynanna]

My grandson's other nanna has just had her old girl mauled to death by her next door's dog
Before DD had a chance to sit him down and tell him...he overheard her telling me on the phone and is now distraught! He only visits nanna Ang now and again as she recently moved to Dover...but before that he saw Marleycat regularly and loved her to pieces. It is his first experience of death.

I am going down there in an hour to see them and I really don't know how to approach it/what to say. I have just ordered a book off Amazon about losing a pet...but I don't know how to approach it.

Any tips for a nervous crazynanna

[crazynanna]

Bump

Need some advice befre I leave good people

[Sparklingbrook]

Oh crazy I really don't know what to say. That is awful. Just see how he is and give him lots of cuddles. I think you have to take the lead from DGS to be honest.

[crazynanna]

Poor kid
He so was trying not to cry...stretching his mouth wide to stop the tears
He asked me where Marleycat has gone and do people go there too...and will he see her again one day. I tried to answer them but I am really no good in these things...tried to explain that she is a star shining bright sort of thing...and yes everyone is reunited one day.
Started to explain the cycle of life etc then realised it don't really apply as Marlycat didn't just go to old age...she was taken

Poor Nanna Ang....she saw the whole thing and tried to get Marleycat from the mouth of the dog who had her by the throat...but by the time she got her she had passed
She buried her in the garden there and then and went indoors and duly collapsed.
My SIL (her ds) is going up there tomorrow to see her....she had the cat for 12 years and has lived alone with her for the last 4 years..it's a wrench

Thank you Sparkling

[Sparklingbrook]

What did the dog owners say crazy?

[crazynanna]

It seems it was just a cruel twist of fate. A few nights ago they had a stormy night there (Dover by the coast) and one of her fence panels blew down. She arranged for someone to come next Tuesday to fix it. When she lets the cat out...she leaves the back door open for her to scoot back in. She didn't know today that the wind had closed it shut...so Marley cat couldn't get back in. The dog got through the blown down fence panel...and Marleycat was cornered

The neighbours came out immediately but it was too late. They are distraught it happened..they are friends with nanna Ang.

What can you do...it was just one of those things. I suppose dogs go for cats like cats go for mice. A cruel twist of fate.

[Sparklingbrook]

Poor nanna Ang. I would just be hysterical. Hard to explain to children.

[crazynanna]

I know
My grandson wants to come up tomorrow to see Poppy...he has begged me not to let her out...but I don't anyway as you know she is still tiny.

My 2 grandaughters are different...the 2yo doesn't understand {"Marleycat is broken") and the 4yo is a toughie (I'm gonna kick that dog in its leg")

But my grandson is a sensitive little soul....I just don't know what to say

[Sparklingbrook]

they know just that little bit more at seven don't they? Enough to question and to think about it.

[crazynanna]

That's right. And you just want to protect them from the hurt.

I will give him the book when it arrives.
Thanks for listening Sparkling

[Sparklingbrook]

This thread may make you smile.

[Bossybritches22]

crazynana how awful for you all, poor nana Ang.

The book sounds a lovely idea, maybe you could keep it at yours & bring it out if DGS seems upset still or wanting to talk about it.

One of life's first cruel lessons isn't it losing a pet & in such a nasty way too?

Lots of nana hugs needed for him from both sides I think!

Lucky boy to have 2 lovely nanas to cuddle and talk to about it all.

[crazynanna]

Make me smile Sparkling!

[Sparklingbrook]

Oh sorry crazy. Did I do the wrong thing?

[crazynanna]

Thank you Bossy

He's a smart sensitive lovely lad...and I so feel for him

[crazynanna]

No Sparkling...I was just eating a cadbury's creme egg is all

[Sparklingbrook]

Well it's not Easter yet crazy. I have just devoured half a bag of Minstrels.

[crazynanna]

I wouldn't mind...but I had a galaxy bubbles bar twenty minutes ago

Who cares....I am nearly 50 and single so can wobble my calorie laden bits all I want

[Sparklingbrook]

You have had a stressful day crazy. Chocolate is essential.

[BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger]

Hi, no idea if this of any help, but my first ever pet ( a hamster ) died when I was 8.

I cried solidly for 3 days and one of my strongest memories of the time was my Dad sobbing.

In hindsight, that was probably because his daughter was so upset, but at the time it was strangely comforting because it validated my grief, I didn't feel I was being silly, because even my Dad was upset.

So don't be afraid to say it was a terrible thing.

[crazynanna]

I did cry Bitter I think for the same reason as your dad. DD,his mum,said he really was trying not to cry when she spoke to him...and she said "It's ok to cry ds...it's ok if you want to" and he just broke down

God I'm crying again...silly cow I am

[BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger]

It's a horrible thing to go through

[crazynanna]

Thank you

[Sparklingbrook]

Morning crazy. Hope you are ok today.

[crazynanna]

Hi Sparkling good morning

Yes I am ok thanks. Will pick up grandson today so he can spend a bit of time with crazykitten.

Have spoilt her a bit this morning...she has had a bit of tuna today and is purring with complete joy

[Sparklingbrook]

Glad you are ok. When our 15 year old cat died DS2 wanted a reminder of her so we went out and got a cuddly black and white cat for him, and I got myself a stone cat for the garden that sits in the cat's favourite spot.