Small children and having a pet PTS

[QuantumWeatherButterfly]

QuantumCat is, very sadly, very close to the end of her life. She is extremely elderly and infirm, with a number of health issues that we have been managing with support from the vet. Her condition has declined significantly and rapidly since New Year, and I think we are very close to needing to make the decision to PTS, as the kindest, fairest thing. I’ve had her since she was a kitten, and I’m devastated.

Alongside this, I am extremely concerned about how best to handle the situation with our DD, who is 4 and in Reception. QuantumCat does not travel well, and I won't stress her by boxing her under normal circumstances, let alone these, so the vet will come to the house when the time comes. I don’t think it is fair to anyone to have DD there, so I was planning on making the arrangements for a school day when I can work from home.

Do I tell DD in advance what is happening? We’ve known this was coming for a while, and have already talked to her about how QuantumCat is very old and very poorly, but DD has no experience of bereavement and so I don’t think it’s really sunk in. She might well be too upset to go to school if I do tell her, but if I don’t, am I cheating her of the chance to say goodbye?

Does anyone have any experience of this that they could share?

[Vinorosso74]

My DD was 7 when our old girl was PTS. She knew Dcat was unwell and we'd prepared her as best we could. She rapidly went downhill and we explained to her we were taking her to the vets. We had to send her into school with a note as she was visibly upset and she didn't want us to go to the classroom.
Definitely give her the chance to say goodbye. The Blue Cross has info on their website which may help.