Helping teens through pet loss

[ashvivienne]

We have had our beloved cat for 16 years - a 5th birthday present for DD1. Sadly his old age has caught up with him and we are having to put him to sleep. DD1 is very upset about it and has booked the appointment for Monday when she will have a few days off work afterwards and DD2 has booked holidays as well. DS1 and 2 are both still in school. How do we help them through it? OH and I never had pets growing up and our cat has been the only pet the kids have had and he’s been in most of their lives since the day they were born.

I think it helps to give your pet a good send-off, a funeral of some sort - you can either bury them or have them cremated and then bury or scatter the ashes. Each of the children could say a few words, read a poem or whatever and chose a small item to bury with their cat e.g. a favourite toy. Do you have a nice picture of each of them with him? If not, make sure you get that before Monday. Maybe put together a special album with pictures of him through the years, and choose a nice one to have framed and hang in the house. Keep talking about him when he's gone and let each of them have some time alone with him over the weekend to say goodbye and give him special treats and cuddles.

Sorry this is happening. It's horrid, but they have had his company while growing up and they will never forget him.

Don't rush to get a new kitten. Wait a good while if you do plan to get a new pet and let everyone grieve for him first.