I know the time is coming soon when our pet will have to leave us.
In the many talks you’ve had with the children about the dog’s impending death, have you explained that his body is very, very old—that 16 is really as old as any dog can be expected to live? And that all living things have life spans ? When small children are told this, they will often ask how long people live, then .
I also wouldn’t have them be present at the death—I think that’s too much for 4- and 6-year-olds. When we talk about “closure,” we often think that this means something hard or sad can be put away for good. But it can’t. The children will be sad.will be sad. After the dog’s death, when the children see you being sad, it won’t harm them or worry them if you’re honest about why you’re sad.
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