I ran over my 10 year old daughters beloved Chihuahua.?

Question

shes at a sleepover. do i call/go to her now or wait till morn?
Should i wait till she gets home at 3pm? toby came out to greet me when i pulled up, like always. my car slipped out of park and she was under the tire. I was already out of the car and couldnt get back in quick enough. I was trying to hold the car back with body. I couldnt stop it from rolling. My ten year old is very very attached to dog. I dont even know what to say to her... should i tell her we will go get another. what do i do with the dog? should we bury him? I have never experienced something like this and am very upset. please give me any advice...

Answer 1

Well you can tell her when she gets home so that it doesn't ruin her sleepover fun. Sit her down and tell her it was an accident. Ask her what you think you should do. She may or may not want to get another dog. Let her morn the dog and cry for a while she will definatly need to let out her feelings. You could have a funeral to help with her grief.

Answer 2

I don't think you want to lie here, but you may want to
avoid the full truth for a few years.

You need to tell her what happened to the dog, and perhaps
if she wants to bury it, have her help or create some sort of
ceremony or whatever works for your family. There's no
point in getting her out of her sleepover unless the dog will
become a biohazard.

You may wish to put it in a sealed plastic bag or two or three.

However, "The person who ran over your dog was really sorry."
"She felt awful."

The fact that you ARE really sorry and that you FEEL awful
doesn't need to be said: You don't need to say that it was you
until maybe she's a little older.

That may not work, in your family. She may continue to ask
questions and then you'll have to tell the truth. If you think
she will, don't even both prevaricating - just tell her outright
what happened and tell her how sorry you are and how
sometimes these things happen, etc, etc.

DO NOT TRY TO REPLACE THE DOG WITH ANOTHER
THAT LOOKS LIKE IT.

That only works on sit-coms, and ... actually, it doesn't usually
work there either.

And besides, this is not a frog or a turtle or something with
few identifying features - its a dog.

Don't even think about getting another dog until your child
has had some time to grieve, and she may actually mention
iit. If she doesn't after a week or so, you might suggest it
yourself.

Get your car fixed. That's dangerous!

Answer 3

The girl will need closure, so don't bury the dog without giving her the chance to see it.
Like the death of a close family member, your daughter needs to know right away. I would call, speak with the parent at the sleepover, let them know I was on the way, pick her up and tell her that there had been an accident.
Don't be afraid to show your sorrow. She needs comfort in knowing that you too are broken up over this. And don't offer to get a new dog at this time. It can take some time before that possibility.

Answer 4

You could call her and ask her if she can come home early; don't tell her on the phone. Or, wait until 3 when she gets home.
Wrap the dog in a towel or blanket you will not miss - you won't be using it again. Check the yellow pages for pet cremation or cemetaries. If your pet is cremated and you own property, the ashes could be added to a garden. Have a little funeral, with just family or a few close friends (of your daughter and the dog). She will learn that death is a part of life, and that there is a time to greive. No new pets for at least 6 months. Give the child time to heal. And don't worry - kids are very resiliant. Be supportive, as you would to a friend. Get her a sympathy card for the 'funeral'.

Answer 5

I am soo sorry that you have to experience this. I don't know what your state law is, but it is illegal in MI to bury a dog in your yard. When we had to put down our dog, we had her cremated and put into a rock with a name plate. Chances are, your daughter isn't going to want another dog right away. You know you're child the best, I would probably take the dog to the vet, even if it were to have the dog disposed. Your daughter doesn't need to see that. I would wait for her to come home, no sense in ruining her good time with this horrible news. Explain what happened, and be honest. Then let her decide if and when she wants a new dog. Do you have any other dogs? If you do, some dogs are known to dig up buried pets in the yard. Please call a vet, and explain the situation, they will tell you how to dispose of the pet in a sanitary and legal way. Good Luck

Answer 6

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegh.... This is the worst situation ever.

I seriously think you should let the girl have her fun - ruining her sleepover won't bring the dog back. Just put it in a box in the garage or something and wait for her to get home. Then tell her.

No need to sugar coat it by telling her about another dog, etc. You'll likely only end up making promises you can't or won't keep. Just tell her the truth and let her be mad/sad. It always works out best in the end that way.

Answer 7

1) Get the damend car fixed, if you were out of the car and it 'slipped out of park' - THAT could be your daughter next time.
Perhaps this was but a timely warning - BEFORE it happens to your daughter.
2) Bury the dog, your daughter 'may' want to hold a burial service for it.
3) calling her early will NOT make the death any easier, - let her enjoy her sleepover - nothing will bring the dog back, do not ruin her weekend too.
You cannot change what has happened, so don't try, just think of the future, Console daughter, Bury Dog, Get Car fixed......

Answer 8

Don't beat yourself up... it was a terrible accident. You have every right to be upset, but accept what happened and take the appropriate steps...

You should be honest with your daughter about what happened. Expect her to be upset with you at first, but it's best that you are honest with her.

Talk about it together and decide together if you want to get another dog. She may not be ready right away... she may need time to mourn the loss of her dog. And that's ok.

You should bury him together. Pick a special spot together. Make a special marker and let your daughter help make it or pick it out. If she was younger, I probably wouldn't suggest this, but 10 years old is old enough to be able to grasp the concept of death, and by letting her participate, you can help her get a handle on her grief.

Answer 9

i would definetly tell her not now but when she gets home that way you are face to face.
do have a burial and then try to make her happy and buy her a new dog.

Though if she is very attached buying the dog so soon after the other one dying it might be best to wait it out a while. I would give it a month before bringing in another dog.

sry to hear about you dog though hopes this helps

Answer 10

I am so sorry. It was a terrible accident. Don't tell your daughter until she comes home. Wrap her dog in a small sheet or blanket. Sit your daughter down when she get home and tell her exactly what happened. Explain to her how very sorry you are. Have a funeral for her dog so she can say goodbye to her pet. Bury it in your back yard. Let her mention getting another pet first because she will need to mourn for this one first before she will be ready for another one. She might could get another one around Christmas time? Again, I am so sorry that this happened.