Sudden death of our dog ds 8 not coping at all can anyone offer any help ?

[Lilyloo]

Our ten year old dog died very suddenly yesterday afternoon. Ds was at school so didn't see it.
She was fit and healthy and ds had taken her for her regular morning walk as usual before school.
The vet thinks it was heart attack or stroke.
DS has been nearly hysterical since. He spent the night in our bed after crying until 12.30. He has been upset most of he day at school and has gone to bed crying again tonight.
I am so upset and feel helpless as to how to support him through this.
tia

[jollyma]

See if you can get hold of a childrens book called Goodbye Vivi. Its about a bird that dies and all the lovely memories it leaves behind. V sad but lovely book. Hope he feels a bit better soon. Maybe you could make a scrap book or memory box.

[shufflebum]

So sorry for your loss. He's only had 24 hours so I would just give him time, let him cry, talk, look at photos. A sudden death like that is very hard for a child to comprehend particularly as this might be his first experience of death. I used to be a vet nurse and it was really hard to try to explain to the children what had happened, that said with children a bit younger than your DS they would usually be asking about a new puppy before they got out the door while the parent was in pieces trying to hold it together.

We did use to have a book in the waiting room that was quite sweet, can't remember what is was called I'll try to see if I can find it.

[shufflebum]

worth a look?

here

If you google Pet bereavement children, there seem to be quite a few links

[Lilyloo]

Thanks will check out those links , my two dd's are younger so don't understand the finality of it but ds is inconsolable.

[shufflebum]

Bless him, poor mite. Lots of cuddles required