Explaining the death of a pet to a toddler

sas05

One of our dogs passed away yesterday.  Our 2.5 year-old hasn't noticed yet, because he is at daycare.  Our dog was really sick the last few days and he knew she was sick.  Have any of you dealt with telling your toddler of a death?  If so, do you have any advice for me?  We thought about telling him that she is playing with Grandma in heaven and that she is not going to be coming back..I just don't want for him to be scared about anything.

 Thank you for your help!

lmdbww

DD was 1.5 when my parents dog died. I just told her that Brandi had to go to heaven to play with the other doggies and kitties and that seemed to be enough for her. She still remembers her and recognizes her in photos, but doesn't ask where she is anymore.

snippet

I'm sorry for your loss!

I know there are several books about death at Barnes & Noble that are appropriate for toddlers, maybe one of those would help.   

Princess_Lily

lmdbww:

DD was 1.5 when my parents dog died. I just told her that Brandi had to go to heaven to play with the other doggies and kitties and that seemed to be enough for her. She still remembers her and recognizes her in photos, but doesn't ask where she is anymore.

 

That is perfect. 

kada626

sorry about your dog. Our dog passed last september and dd1 was a little over 3yrs old. I just told her the dog went to God's house to stay. I said that we won't see her anymore and we would miss her but she is very happy there and she wasn't sick anymore.

 

 

JOEBunny

Joe Bunny died when DD was 2.75.  I had to take her with me to put him down.  I had him for 13 years and was a total mess.  DD did very well with the whole thing.  We brought him home and buried him in the back yard, got a marker for his grave and planted flowers and blueberry bushes (his favorite).  DD will still say hi to him if she is back in that part of the yard.  She handled it much better than I did. 

sas05

Thank you all!  I was a mess yesterday when he got home from daycare, but he didn't realize that she was gone yet...I told him that I was fine and we started playing.  I think today will be the day he notices and I just want to be prepared.  Thanks again to all of you!

Mama Jan

When our kitten died (it was just me and DH at the time), I bought DH a book called Cat Heaven.  We read it often with the kids and I hope that when our cats pass away it will help to explain to the kids what happened.  The do have Dog Heaven also, maybe it will help you as you try to explain?

I was about 3 when my dog died and I do remember my parents telling me.  I also remember that I didn't really care.  They didn't think I understood since I didn't cry but I definitely did.  .... plus the next day I was asking my mom when we could get a new puppy.  Ha!

mrsjones06

Mama Jan:

When our kitten died (it was just me and DH at the time), I bought DH a book called Cat Heaven.  We read it often with the kids and I hope that when our cats pass away it will help to explain to the kids what happened.  The do have Dog Heaven also, maybe it will help you as you try to explain?

My MIL gave me this book when my 18 year old cat & I was so moved by her thoughtfulness. I'll always treasure the book.

My SIL just had to put her dog down last week. She told my 2.5 yr old niece that he had died & was in heaven...that she would miss him, but she'd see him again someday. We have a senior dog as well so I made sure to file that in my mental filing cabinet b/c I thought it was a perfect explanation.