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Dealing with sick pets and toddlers

Shanna - posted on 03/08/2010 ( 2 moms have responded )

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25

I have a 2 1/2 year old who loves our pets very much. Our 10 year old dog has recently become ill. I'm afraid she might not make it. As hard as this is for me to deal with, I have no idea how to handle the situation with my son. He loves to help take care of her, but how can I explain this to him if she passes away? Anyone else dealt with this? Any suggestions?

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2 Comments

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Louise - posted on 03/11/2010

5,429

69

Hi,
Children are very resiliant and will accept any answer that you give him. If the worst happens he will see that you are upset and you need to be truthful and say that you are sad because your dog has died and that means he has gone away. If you are a religous family tell him your dog has gone to heaven to play with the other doggies. He will accept this but may still ask when the dog is coming back. Children feed off their parents emotions so try not to be too upset around your child. (I know this is hard after losing a young dog myself) Try and be positive and focus your child on other things. Hope this helps

Ashley - posted on 03/10/2010

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8

i just recently went through this with my daughters and it is really hard and there really is no right way to deal with it my kids were upset and they did not understand why there puppie was going but i made sure my husband had him burried before they saw him and we told them that daddy took him to the puppy docter and they said he was sick and had to stay there and they just eventully quit asking and that amy not have been the best way to handle it but i did not know how to deal with it so i done the best that i could if you are planning on getting anouther pet i would dfo it before the other one passes that way your child has something new and exciting to kinda keep them happy and occupied so that there not as likley to notice i know this was not much help but i do wish you the best of luck this is a hard sitution

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