How do you deal with the death of a pet?

GTOgirl1969

I bought my girls a baby bunny for Easter 2006. It was the gentlest, sweetest and most tame rabbit ever...she would sit on your lap like a cat and let you pet her and love on her. I went to feed her this afternoon and she was dead...I'm so upset about it (can't believe I'm crying over a rabbit!) I'm worried about what to tell my girls because they haven't come home from school yet and when they do "Baby" won't be there. :brokenheart:

LongMom

*hUgS*

Losing a pet is so tough - but unavoidable. Process your feelings and build yourself up for the girls because they're going to be the same - and it won't be pretty.

Some people call me cold hearted when I tell them I'm at peace with losing animals...has happened so many times in my life that it takes me maybe 5 minutes of crying and then I'm good. That doesn't mean there isn't still a feeling of sadness for the loss of the pet, but I don't get consumed by it.

Your kids will get consumed by it. Totally normal, part of life...this is a life lesson.

MORE *hUgS*

DanOhh

We lost two of our dogs in the past two years. I was able to bury them in our yard before the kids got home. We had a little ceremony for them each time and even let the kids say what ever they wanted about their pets. It wasn't fun but I think that it helped them move on.

aippolito1

The last pet death I had to deal with...I was 18 and it was this adorable albino mouse that I'd only had for one month. I cried and again when watching The Garden State when my bf and I got to talking about pets dying. I'm not sure how you deal with it...

nicolee516

I have a really hard tim with losing my pets. They are so much a part of the family. I call them my fuzzy kids. Unfortunately all life comes to an end in the physical form. But, you can reiterate that "Baby" will be waiting for them on the other side when they get there, romping and playing. It really helps to have a little ceremony, like a funeral so they can have closure.:flowerforyou:
((hugs))

lilchino4af

Sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. Many people would think "it's just a rabbit" but to those of us who own pets (I've got 2 dogs), they become "family", especially since my husband and I don't have kids (yet). I think it hurts even more when the pets are well behaved and provided great memories. A friend of ours dog sits as a part time job and was just notified a few days ago that a dog she watched recently passed away because of cancer (it was 12 years old). She'd only known the dog for a couple weeks, but she got attached, and was very upset over his passing.

I don't know what to suggest you tell your kids, as I've never dealt with this before, but I'm sure you'll figure something out; just don't lie to them, because kids are super smart and will figure it out eventually.

LittleSpy

Allow yourself to take as much time as you need to grieve. It may feel silly, but it's not. A pet is a big part of your life.

As for the kids, let them do something to remember her. Make a scrapbook, or paint a picture, write a story, or something else creative (if they like things like that). I'm almost 26 but I still work through my grief this way...

Elokyn

I don't have any kids, but I know that growing up my parents always told me the truth about what happened. If I were in that situation I would make sure you bury her and let the girls know what happened. My brother and sister in law had a dog die that they had before my nephew was born and my nephew was 4 when the dog died. When my nephew understood what had happened he wanted to say goodbye, so my sister and law and her dad took him to where the dog was buried and he cried, and he did say goodbye, and it wasn't the last time he cried. But he was okay. They're just tiny people, they want to say goodbye too, imo. I'm sorry for your loss ~hugz~

HealthyKt78

Sorry to hear that. My grandparent's dog died a few weeks ago. It was terrible. They live in the woods and he got bit by a snake so it was sudden. My grandpa was really upset and kept saying he didn't understand why god lets terrible people live on earth but took his good dog. I told him God wanted to play with Sam (the dog) now. I know that sounds simple but it's the only thing that gives me peace when thinking why so many terrible people get to live while good animals and people die. I'm not really a religious person but it helps.

GingerSnark

Sorry to hear about the loss. I don't judge anyone for crying over the loss of a pet be it bunny, dog, bird, whatever. A pet is a pet.

As for your girls, like the other poster said it is a life lesson. Anyone with pets has to deal with it at some point.

Growing up we had 2 bunnies. They both died & are buried in my parents yard.

Perhaps you can bury your bunny in the yard too? Not sure if the 4 yr old will really process death but I think the 7 yr old will.

Just explain the circle of life. Have you ever read the poem about the Rainbow Bridge? Maybe print it out & have it ready to read to the bunny before burial.
:frown: :flowerforyou:
http://www.rainbowbridge.com/

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

BrendaLee

Don't feel bad for crying over a rabbit! Love is love...and that loss needs to be grieved. It must have been terrible to go in there and find her. I lost a little degu a while back, and it was devastating...pets are part of the family. Kids are usually more resilient than we are. Let them know that Baby went to bunny heaven...or something else that will comfort them. They should bounce back pretty quickly.

mommared53

I'm so sorry about the loss of your bunny. When I lost my Blacky Cat a number of years ago, I cried myself to sleep for a few weeks. I could keep busy during the day and try not to think about him but at night there was nothing to keep me from thinking about him and how much I missed him. Even now, over 10 years later I still get teary eyed thinking about him. We had a very special relationship. He used to put his arms around my neck and look me right in the eyes. If I tried to look away, he'd take his paw and turn my face back to him. :laugh: He was some cat!

Maybe have a funeral for your bunny so you and your daughters can have some closure. You'll always cherish the special memories you created while your bunny was alive. Good luck to all of you during the time of healing. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

hooah_mj

If/when either of my doggies die, my entire family would be completely heartbroken, we would certainly have a huge void in our home and family ....

just be sure to let them grieve. cry with them, hug them, and share your special memories...then move on, coming back when ever they need to.

I feel for you all.

benmarcum

when i lost my dog a few years ago, i cried like a maniac until i was done then got a tattoo. when i bought my house, i planted a tree in the front yard and put some of her ashes in with the roots. Makes me feel better everytime i look at the tree.

sonjavon

Oh my heart breaks for you and your girls. We had our 13 year old dog put to sleep about 2 years ago and it was so very hard. I mourned for a good month or longer. It's a loss like none other.

What I would focus on with your girls is HOW LUCKY they were to have had a pet whom they could love and who loved them so much. We, as humans are so lucky to be able to have pets... they add so much to our lives. Praise them for being such good owners to their rabbit.

Find ways for them to honor the rabbits memory.... plant a tree. Have a lemonade stand and donate the money to a bunny rescue... and of course, when they're ready, adopt a new one.

Take the time that you need to grieve the loss of your beloved pet... the pain lessens but never completely goes away....