Sad in our house tonight

[richard3330]

This afternoon one of our family died... our dog 'Goldie' died at the age of 13 because of a stroke, she was a golden retriever and very much loved by all of our friends and family.

Our 3 year old son is REALLY upset and has been crying all afternoon, does anybody have any ideas as to how we can make this less upsetting for him?
He loved Goldie so much and always liked to take her for walks and to the beach.

Our other dog, Bazz (6 months old Cavalier King Charles) looks like he is also really missing Goldie..........

 

[Astrid]

Ah, how sad for you all

It's awful when a pet dies isn't it - even if they have reached a grand old age, I think only other pet owners can really understand the emptiness there suddenly is.

Our 10 yr old cat died when Carys was only 3 but she still talks about her a lot and seems to remember her quite clearly which is lovely.

I just made it very simplistic when I talked about Moose (our cat) dying with the kids and said what fun she'd have playing with their Grandparents dog and cat who were also 'in heaven' - that seemed to help my two.

Astrid

 

[Sue's Mum]

I think that learning about dying is all part and parcel of growing up - unfortunately. I remember a little girl died that our 3 year old DD knew. A little while later DD was looking out of the window at the flowers and said "Will Anne come back like the flowers do?" I could have shed a tear at the lovely simplicity of childhood.

I also found that that children "bounce" back quite quickly as each new day becomes a new adventure for them. There probably isn't anything much you can do except give love and patience.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Oh Richard - so sorry about your retriever. We have an "adopted" goldie - Sam who spends more time with us than his 'real' owners because they're not overly interested in him

I agree with Astrid - talk about her and the fun you all used to have, see if you've got some photos that they could make into a scrapbook about her, putting one into a "special" photo frame etc-it all helps (believe me, I've been there when my beloved dog had to be put to sleep).

Just keep hold of all those lovely memories.

 

[WDWfan uk]

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news.

I also agree with Astrid - when our son was that age and lost a pet, we also found it helped him to think that she'd gone "to heaven" just as a friend of ours who'd died.

I also found that in spite of the dreadful upset on the first day, he recovered quite quickly and moved on - I hope it is the same for your son.

 

[richard3330]

Thank-You everybody for your quick replies. Joshua seems happy to know that Goldie is in heaven.

 

[Madjock]

Very sorry to hear about your dog Richard I know how sad you must all feel. My dog died when I was 23 and I couldn't stop crying for days.

Annmarie

 

[pegasusEH]

I think the only answer is time, time seems to heal everything.

My dad died at the beginning of this year from cancer at a fairly young age and although it was a terrible time for us all, including my 8 year old son, time has made it easier for us all, although we will never forget the pain we all went through.

Whether it's a pet or relative, it's important to have photos and happy memories.

It will get easier, pet or relative, time does heal. Gob bless X X X

 

[nativetxn]

I'm so sorry to hear you've lost a beloved pet They become such a part of our family, don't they?

 

[WDWFOREVER]

We lost our 14 year old dog when DS was 4. We explained that he had gone to heaven and was with grandad. He accepted this wholeheartedly and it gave him lots of comfort. However, we were out staying with friends at the weekend and visited Pevensey Castle in Sussex. The local church was having a flower festival and we went in to have a look. For 10p you could light a candle for a loved one who had died. My DS lit a candle for Digger "just so that God will let him (Digger) know I am thinking of him Mummy". They don't forget I'm afraid, but perhaps thats how it should be. Digger was one of our family too.

I really feel for you all Richard - sadly not everyone understands the devastation you feel when a member of the family, who just happens to be an animal, dies.

We still haven't plucked up the courage to let another dog own us, four and a half years on.

By the way, we had a photograph of DS and Digger framed and DS still has it on the shelf in his bedroom. That gave him a lot of comfort because he would blow Digger a kiss every night before he went to sleep.

 

[richard3330]

Thank You everybody for your advice.

We all still miss Goldie, especially our other dog, Bazz - he seems to be very deppresed lately.

Joshua seems to be o.k now he knows that Goldie is in heaven, and he thinks he is still alive with lots of other dogs in heaven. He watched a movie which I think was called Dog Heaven?? and it was an animated cartoon film about dogs in heaven. That made him happier.

Mrs Dazzle:
Thanks for the scrap book advice about the scrap book, Annie. Just before we went away Joshua started making one with lots of pictures and colourings - he seems to be really enjoying it.

Thanks Again.


Richard.

 

[mickey65]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss


There is a good children's book called "For Every Dog An Angel"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965922502/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/104-3954631-8679148