Great article on talking to a child about the death of a pet. The death of a pet is a horrible loss but is also usually the first death experience for a child. It is important to properly grieve the loss but to also use it as teaching moment to explain death. While a teaching moment may be very difficult for the loss of a dog, horse or cat, it may be easier if it is a goldfish, or hampster.
The article, “The Dog Isn’t Sleeping: How To Talk With Children About Death” by Cody Turner states,
“My parents exchanged pained glances. I know now that life had put them in an impossible bind. Mingo had been dying for months and suffering for weeks. The vet urged euthanasia then and there. My parents reluctantly but humanely agreed. But how to tell me? So they didn’t, hoping to wait until after my birthday.”
To read the entire article, please click here
Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional needs.