death of a pet

[redpyjamas]

Yesterday our pet bird died in an accident. We are all gutted and can't seem to stop crying. My 6yo dd has taken it particularly badly. She has no memory of not having him, as she was about 2 when we got him.
Just wanted to write it really.
But a question:

1. Does having pets really prepare children for dealing with death? I mean, that's what they say, but how? I can't see how it could make it any easier in the future, or if a human family member died.

Sorry to hear about your pet bird, red

We had to put a pet rat down this week (nasty cancer). I hope that it will help DC understand death. DS was tearful about it, and I kept saying that since death is inevitable, we have to focus instead on quality of life. We try to give our pets a good life, that they might not otherwise get (this is very true because our pets are rescues, taken out of previously neglectful homes). Instead of feeling bad bout the death, we can feel good about the good life we provided for the animals, instead.

It does extend to people, imho, death will happen, but making good memories with people and doing nice things for them, when they are still alive, is a kind of consolation.