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Preparing a child for pet bereavement

26 replies

Hobnobfanatic · 08/02/2010 21:32

My 6yo and I have talked about how our elderly puss is nearing the end of her life. We've cried, we've written down our feelings, we've read books about pets dying...

But it's approaching crunch time and I just don't know what to do: I think DD is too young to see the cat put to sleep at the vet's. But I don't want to get it done while she's at school, and for her to have the shock of bereavement when she comes home. I think it's important to be honest with her - but the goodbyes will be heartbreaking if she has to say farewell to the cat in the morning, before school, knowing that she won't see her again. She'd never leave - and if she did, she would be so upset all day at school.

It's heartbreaking enough, losing a pet - but the parenting side is agony. My LO is going to be soooo sad - she took a long time to get over our other cat dying (a sudden accident - he was a young boy); but this one is her best friend. She sleeps on her pillow, next to her, every night and they love each other to bits.

HOw can I do the goodbyes with a 6 yo? Does anyone have any experience of this?

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Hobnobfanatic · 10/02/2010 21:21

Thanks, Dillie. Yes, I have caskets too! I have a lovely one of a sleeping cat ready for when we lose our old girl. It looks just like her. DD wants to have it next to her bed, as the cat always goes to sleep on her pillow next to her each night.

Our last cat was lost to a road accident - LO was about 4 then. She still talks about him and she wasn't upset by seeing the body = I think it showed her that death was a different sleep - not one you wake from. But then, he wasn't gruesome - he hardly had a mark on him.

I too want to be buried with all my cat friends. I have loads of caskets around the house and still have decades of cat ownership ahead - I'll need a big coffin!

I love the scenario of spirit cats chasing mice on the moon - beautiful!

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