How do you tell a 3 year old that our neighbors dog had to be put down because of sickness in a nice way??

Answer 1

eh.. thats a hard thing for 3 yr olds to conceptualize death. id tell him/her that the dog had to go to a different town to play with other dogs maybe or say the dog wanted to play with other dogs in heaven.

hope it helps

Answer 2

I don't think sheltering your child in any way is good.

Death is a fact of life and to start your child young, with a pet, is as good a place as any.

At three, the concept of death is probably still out of reach for a child. (Meaning the child will just think the dog has gone away, even if you tell him/her it is dead.)

Tell the child that the dog was sick and to keep it from hurting the vet (animal doctor, you might have to explain) had to put it to sleep. Also say that the dog won't be coming back.

Don't dwell on it. Don't make a big deal of it. If the child asks again remind him/her that the dog was put to sleep because it was sick.

Sad as it is, this little lesson might help the child take a step toward understanding what it means when someone.something dies.

If you overreact, so will the child. If you are calm, the child will be calm and accepting.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author Unknown

Answer 4

Rent the movie, "All Dogs Go To Heaven" and then say the dog next door was very sick and went to heaven. Answer any questions your child may have as truthfully as possible.

Answer 5

I would recomed buying the Book "The Fall of Freddie the Leaf" by Leo Buscaglia. I think it's the best book on explaning death to a child. I don't think you should explain that he is being put down. I would just read this book to them and ask them what they think it means.

If you ask him/her "What do you think it means" or "Where do you think he went?" That will help answer the question.

Here are some links:
This book at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805010645/002-6244997-4126415?v=glance&n=283155

Here's where you can read it, but I love the book.

http://www.buddhistinformation.com/fall_of_freddie_the_leaf.htm

Answer 6

Death is a natural thing, all things die. It is better to get them used to that idea, some day some one in the family will die and it will help them cope if they understand that it is part of life. Just be open with your child and let them do a lot of the talking and ask as many questions as they need to. What ever you do, dont lie or make it seem like an un-natural thing.

Answer 7

Tell him that the little dog had to deliver a message in hevan and , he has to stay up there in doggy land. At rainbow ridge, tell him that he is playing with lots of other dogs and is looking down from above.
sorry it had died

Answer 8

All doggie chat boards use the term "Rainbow bridge"
You can tell them it was time to go to the rainbow bridge in the sky...That every time they see a rainbow, Spark (the dog) is looking down to say HI.

Answer 9

The dog had to go to heaven because it was time for him to go and play there. Maybe if you look hard, you can see the dog in the clouds......I wouldnt think it necessary to mention illness. Your child might think that anyone ill automatically ends up in heaven.

Answer 10

You can tell her that the dog had to go because it got to sick