how do you tell a 3 and 5 year old that their beloved pet has died of cancer? Especially when you had to do it

Question

The dog was their pet since birth, slept in the bed with me, their mother. Dog was part of the family so much - in photos and welcomed at picnics. How much do you tell them and what is too much? They have never lost a pet or family member as of yet. My children do believe in God....

Answer 1

Tell them that your dog was very sick, and has gone to doggy Heaven, where he is very healthy and happy.,and that one day they will see him again.
I believe that pets are given to us to learn about love and loss. They teach us how to deal with grief when we are young.

Answer 2

It's hard when the children are so young. I would tell them a story I was told when I was a little girl - explain to them that God had a lonely puppy in heaven that needed a friend. Tell them that your dog was such a nice dog that God chose YOUR dog to take care of the puppy and be its friend. It may sound a little cheesy, but children often feel much better knowing that their animal has been taken for a GOOD reason. I would never have wanted my parents to tell them that my dog died of cancer or anything because there wouldn't have been any closure. If you try to have them focus on a happy effect from the dogs death, perhaps they'll take it better. This will also help in the future as they get older. If you tell them a fabricated story about needing to give the dog away or telling them that the dog ran away, they'll resent that you didn't tell them the truth. At least this way you ARE telling them the truth (that God took your dog), but you're giving them a positive story to relate to it. They'll always look at their dog with love and they'll feel happy knowing that your dog is in heaven, playing and helping other doggies.

I also suggest buying a new dog. This will help everyone to overcome their sadness. They'll always remember your dog, but they'll have a new animal to play with and a new pet to love. You could also tell them that since God needed your dog in heaven, God is going to give them a new dog to love and care for. This will also come in handy if, heaven forbid, you lose another pet. They will always carry the belief that God needed your pet to care for other lonely pets in heaven.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes losing a pet is as hard as losing a family member or friend <3

Answer 3

First off, I'm very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is one of the most difficult instances of death to deal with, and I know how heartbreaking it can be.

When telling your kids there is one very important thing to remember: DO NOT LIE. Kids aren't dumb. They may not know as much as you do, but they learn quickly. If you tell them some fantasy story about your dog's departure, they will quickly be told otherwise and most likely in a harsh fashion by other kids that the story the believed is not true.

You have to tell them that the dog died. However, you don't have to tell them about cancer or about what cancer does. Simply tell your children that dying is part of living and that with death comes the beautiful opportunity to go join God in heaven. Tell them that your dog's life had been long and happy and that his time had come to rejoin the Lord. Make sure they know that it's ok to miss their pet and that it's ok to be sad, but that in the end they should rejoice for their pet's ascension.

Good luck and take care! Give those kids a lot of hugs and love! :)

Answer 4

Before you get around to explaining things you might want to do a search for the poem, The Rainbow Bridge. Here's a rough version of it as I remember it:

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
All the departed pets go there and are healed of ther hurts and pains.
There is alway plenty of food and treats and the animals play with each other.
Then, one day, a pet stops playing, looks into the diatance and starts running happily.
You have been spotted.
As you pets runs into you arms you are reunited and you cross the Raonbow Bridge...
Together.



It's been very comforting to me whenever i've lsot a pet. Have her read ti her self or read it to her when you break the

Answer 5

This is huge because it is their first encounter with the concept of death. I think the best approach is the doggy's gone to heaven approach and won't be coming back. Maybe you can explain that the dog was very ill and in a lot of pain and God wanted to take him/her to heaven so he/she would feel better. Or maybe the dog was super special and God need this particular dog to help Him with some heavenly tasks. And don't blame yourself for putting the dog down. It's the humane thing to do in these situations and the kids don't need to know that bit of info.

Answer 6

tell them there pet went to heaven because the other dogs needed them there. That he will be looking down on them, even though they can't see him but he can see them. He has a special task in heaven to do, all the dogs there knew he was the only one smart enough to fix the problem
so there he is showing them. it's ok. to cry for your pet because he was a good member of our family. He told us before he left to tell you children he will never forget you but to please should you find another dog in time, be good to him/her as well. Put a pic of the dog in a box..
Have your own little burial where the kids can say goodbye and bury the box.

Answer 7

i'm sorry
well i would start off by telling them that death is a natural thing, and it is a part of life, and their dog is no longer with them, he has passed on and tell them that the family gave him a good life, now it is time to give another doggie in need a good home, and after, if you want another dog, i would suggest taking the kids to the animal shelter to pick out another dog that you could give a great home to like you did your other one

Answer 8

They're too young to understand about death.
I suggest you keep it simple and tell them God took the dog
to Heaven-Kristen's story sounds like a winner. They will probably
ask when it'll come back,say God will let them see the dog when
He thinks it's time.

Answer 9

Directly, with no flowers. Kids understand more than you know. Do not emphasize the reason, ...especially the cancer part of it, as there may come a day when they have cancer and it will fill them with horror! Just be gentle, loving, and firm. Not really as bad as you think it is going to be.

Answer 10

I know it's hard to lose a pet. Just tell them the truth. Tell them that their pet is waiting for them by the gates of heaven. They will see their beloved pet again.