My mums dog died today...

[3GirlsMum]

and Im gutted. She has had it since it was a puppy and she is inconsolable at the moment. And worse still I have to tell my girls when they come home from school and DD2 in particular had a special "bond" with him. Any advice on how to go about this without upsetting her too much? Thanks.

T x

Sorry 2GirlsMum, how very sad. I cry at the thought of my dog dying and she's only 2

How did the dog die? If he had been ill then you could say that he has gone somewhere where he is no longer in pain and gets unlimited bonio. Can you tell them he is in heaven (I am not religious but will definitely use that one for dd)

I don't think there is any way to tell them that will avoid upsetting them, I guess it's just part of growing up, accepting death.

Sorry about your news - I always find losing a pet really strange as not everyone understands why you are upset - "it's only a dog after all". Not everyone understands that they are as much part of the family as your children. If it was sudden could you not fib slightly to your girls and tell them tonight that it is really poorly and then tell them tomorrow that it has died at least that way they may get lots of the natural curiousness and probably the 'will he die?' question out of the way and will prepare them slightly for what is to come.

I echo jaybee, I think that's a good idea.
Very sorry about the dog 3GirlsMum. Although I've been off pets since DS1 was born, I do remember how awful it was when my cat of 12 died. It was like losing part of me.

I have to say, I think kids are often more accepting of this kind of thing than we give them credit for.

I would go the honesty route, tell her the truth - could you have a little memorial service or something for her?

Thanks for your replies. I took my girls upstairs while my sister looked after my little one, sat them down and told them. They were both devestated as they loved him so much. If he had been poorly for a long time then it would be understandable but he went to the vets for a routine jab and never came back alive, they found a tumour the size of a football on his spleen!

My DD2 has taken to going off by herself and crying at his picture (she was always the closest) while my DD1, after her initial outburst, has stopped the crying but has still told me she really misses him. Hes been buried in my mums back garden so the girls are both buying a little plant each where he is buried, to remember him by.

My DD1 despite all her grief thought of her nanny though and said "mummy can we get some flowers for nanny please" aww.... Im sure that as the days go they will remember the happy times with him rather than this but its so horrible to see your children upset like that.

Take Care