Today I got a call from the vet to come in for a consult a 4pm that my dog Doby (min pin) 10yrs old was having heart and liver failure. She has been there all weekend because she will barely eat and she wont play as much with the kids like she used too. My son who is 6yrs old and 2yr old daughter keep asking me when Doby is coming home. I think they will tell me its time...but how to I explain to kids...?
2007-10-22 05:43:19 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dont sugar coat anything. Tell them the truth. Your dog is very sick .
2007-10-22 06:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry - I agree - it doesn't sound good. For today, the best thing you can tell your kids is that Doby is very sick and you don't know what's going to happen yet.
If Doby dies, then you should explain that in simple terms - your 6 year old probably understands the concept of death by now and will understand better. All your daughter needs to understand that Doby can't come home because Doby got very sick and died. Explain how much you loved Doby and that you'll miss him very much. Just don't liken it to sleep because sometimes kids think that they might die if they go to sleep.
Have a little memorial service for Doby that both kids can participate in. It will makes things a little more real and provide closure for them just like for you. Good luck.
2007-10-22 12:53:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This sums it up better than i can. Honesty is the best policy.
Honesty is important. If you say the pet was "put to sleep," make sure your children understand the difference between death and ordinary sleep. Never say the pet "went away," or your child may wonder what he or she did to make it leave, and wait in anguish for its return. That also makes it harder for a child to accept a new pet. Make it clear that the pet will not come back, but that it is happy and free of pain.
Never assume a child is too young or too old to grieve. Never criticize a child for tears, or tell them to "be strong" or not to feel sad. Be honest about your own sorrow; don't try to hide it, or children may feel required to hide their grief as well. Discuss the issue with the entire family, and give everyone a chance to work through their grief at their own pace.
2007-10-22 12:51:42 · answer #3 · answered by cassy 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, Daisy. But yes, it does sound like she is going into the final count-down.
My nephew was a little bit younger than your son when a much-loved family pet had to be put down. We simply got together and held him- and told him the truth. When he was able to stop crying, we talked about our friend. Then I brought paper and crayons so we could draw pictures of the pet, and my nephew got to help plant the flowers for Bear's grave.
2007-10-22 13:13:56 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear about Doby.
As some have said...be honest. Please do not make up silly nonsense to tell your children as some people do. Death is a part of life, children need to understand that when the time comes that beloved person/pet must go, and they must be given time to grieve.
And don't even tell them he's "sleeping." My grandmother told me my great-grandmother was "sleeping," when I was a young child and it took years for my mom to undo that mess.
2007-10-22 13:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by KS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my rotty die at 11 years old of liver prombles so he could die im sorry i know what you are going though good look
2007-10-22 12:48:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that she went to heaven to be with god.
2007-10-22 12:49:17 · answer #7 · answered by proudmommy 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Tell them that he went on vacation and he is having some much fun he wants to stay there
2007-10-22 12:50:52 · answer #8 · answered by GSD Girl 3 · 1⤊ 8⤋