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Explaining death?

Baby_Bunny_HopefulBaby_Bunny_Hopeful member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

My parents' dog may be put down soon... DS1 LOVES her and we spend many hours each week at their house.  He includes her in his nightly prayers, too.  

I'm concerned as to how to explain to him why she isn't at Grandma's house anymore (when that time comes)... do I say she got sick and went to Heaven?  I don't want him to think everyone who gets sick dies... or do I say she went to a farm?  I hate to lie to him.... I just know that he isn't old enough to truly understand, and I don't want him to continuously ask for her each time we go to their house (which is a few times a week!)

Suggestions?  He will be 3 in March, if that helps... 

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Re: Explaining death?

  • groovygrlgroovygrl member
    Ditto pp, I think htat is a good suggestion- talk about how most of the time when people or animals get sick, the doctor can help them & the feel better in a few days but the vet tried really hard and (dog)  couldn't get better. Lying is definitely not a good idea and would open up more questions and thus more lies in my opinion (why did they take him to the farm where is it can we visit etc). Obviously the fear of anyone sick dying could occur but I think that is probably pretty normal & when LO sees that people get sick & better a few times, hopefully s/he will get it a little better. GL!
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  • shootingstars00shootingstars00
    This is a tough one. I would look for a good children's book that deals with death and read that to him.
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  • rlyttlerlyttle member
    I wouldn't lie, but I wouldn't get too deep about it either. I would probably say that the doggie died and he is in doggie heaven now. No we won't see her again because she is in heaven now. 
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  • sschwegesschwege member

    Honestly, I would use this as an opportunity to discuss death.  I would probably say something like what pp mentioned.  About how usually doctors can help sick people/pets, but sometimes they can't and that's when people/pets go to heaven.  Explain that heaven is a wonderful place and the dog is very happy there.  

    I think regardless of what you say your son will continue to ask for a while, it's only natural.  I know the kids I used to babysit for were about three when their dog was put down.  Every now and again they would ask where the dog was.  The mom would explain that the dog went to heaven and that was it.   

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  • jf198400jf198400 member
    We went through the same thing with my parents' dog.  DD was closer to 2 though not 3.  We just said that Copper went to Heaven.  She'll occasionally ask where he is, and we just say, "remember Copper went to Heaven with Jesus and the Angels."
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