The family dog, Rags, was recently involved in an automobile accident and didn't make it. Should i tell my daughter that Rags ran away or should I tell her the truth?
2006-08-23 15:21:02 · 31 answers · asked by Walker T 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
puppies dont die. i had 5 dogs that went to live with our grandpa in canada when they got old or i thought they ran away
2006-08-24 13:24:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what to tell you to do. But I can share my experience with you. We had a dog as well Princess was her name and she also was in an automobile accident when my son was 4 years old. for a very long time he would always ask me what happen to her where is she and when I told him he always got very sad it was heartbreaking. He is now almost 8 years old and still mentions her every now and again and still gets sad. So if your daughter is young then I might just say that he ran away because death of a loved one even an animal can be very devastating for a young child. Good luck to what ever you decide.
2006-08-23 15:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by meow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't mention your child's age. But you should always tell the truth. My parents were away for a day taking care of getting my sister back to college and left their dog home, when someone broke into the home and cut the dog's throat. I had to deal with this, including the decision to get him medical attention, where and how much to spend or to have him put down. Very hard decision to make. Then I had to tell my family (parents and youngest sister) what I had done. If I had not told them the truth, I know they would never have forgiven me. She deserves the truth. You didn't turn the dog loose and then allow it to be hit. Let her know that there had been an accident and the dog didn't make it. If this is a very young child, let her know that the dog is now in heaven with God (if you are Christian) it helps them to deal with this news. Good Luck.
2006-08-23 15:30:27 · answer #3 · answered by mom of girls 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ooh, that's a tough one. I'm so sorry to hear about your dog!
No matter what, I'd go for the honesty. Even though I know you're just trying to minimize the pain and I'd be tempted to do that too, here's the problem: Saying that Rags ran away leaves the chance open that he might come home. Your daughter will keep looking for him and keep getting disappointed when he doesn't show up.
Maybe when you've both grieved a little, you could take her to a good local rescue group and find a Rags II.
2006-08-23 15:26:18 · answer #4 · answered by *huge sigh* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell her the truth, because if you lie and tell her Rags ran away, she will be thinking that any day he will be coming home. She will have to learn about death eventually and as a parent it is your job to help her understand and deal with the grief process. Good luck
2006-08-23 15:28:20 · answer #5 · answered by lolo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to hear about your dog! You should tell her the truth. Kids should learn about death at an early age to help them deal with it better when they get older. When our dog was hit by a car, I explained to him that he was in Heaven. He then asked me if he was with the stars. I explained that when someone you love dies and goes to Heaven, that they leave a star in the sky. To this day, he has a certain star picked out, and says that his dog is watching over him. He sometimes talks to him as well. It has been almost four years and he remembers our family friend. I thank that he took the loss better than I did, but I was also sheltered from death as a child. My mom told me that she wishes she never kept that from me. Sorry once again and good luck with your daughter.
2006-08-23 15:46:08 · answer #6 · answered by ginger sue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TELL HER THE TRUTH. TELLING HER HE RAN AWAY GIVES HER FALSE HOPE. SHE WIL HAVE TO DEAL WITH LOSS AT SOME POINT. AND DON'T USE THE EXCUSE THAT YOU WANT TO SPARE HER FEELINGS JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID OF TELLING HER, BE THERE TO COMFORT HER, AND LET HER KNOW WHEN SHE IS READY, SHE WILL BE ABLE TO LOVE A NEW DOG JUST AS MUCH, BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY. THEN TAKE HER TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER TO SAVE A DOG'S LIFE AND GIVE ONE A NEW HOME AND HER LOVE.
2006-08-23 15:57:02 · answer #7 · answered by pandora the cat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone must face the death subject sooner or later; tell the truth, she will find out eventually and it would be better to be honest than give her false hope. Death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and Rags' journey through life is over; he/she will live now only in the memories of those who loved him/her.
2006-08-23 15:25:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
tell her the truth, Rags is in heaven now, with angels run and playing fetch with him. and he gets all the dog treats and milk he can eat. He sleeps in the softest bed made out of the fluffiest clouds.
man, that's nice, i wanna go there.
besides, kids are a lot stronger than they seem.
2006-08-23 15:29:51 · answer #9 · answered by DainBramaged 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell her the truth. Don't want to sound harsh but everyone has to learn about death eventually. And maybe she will want a new pet later on even though it won't take Rags' place.
2006-08-23 15:22:19 · answer #10 · answered by scarletts_mommy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I think that you should definitly tell the truth, because either way, she is losing the dog, so it's best not to get her hopes up, in her thinking that the dog has a chance of coming back home. Just tell her the truth, and maybe buy her another one!!!
2006-08-23 15:26:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋