Odd one - dog has died, what to tell a 2.5 year old?

Deerspotter

Hi Guys,

This is an odd one, but as you are all more in-touch with life and death than most, would really value your opinion.
My dog died this evening, my two and a half year old daughter was fond of the dog.
Anyone any experience dealing with the "Where's the dog" "Why Why Why!" questions?
Not even sure what line to spin, or if to open up the "death" tin of worms...
Thanks, all advice welcome.

jap gt

i feel its best to explain that the dog died to the child, altough at 2.5 its harder for them to understand, id recommend having a look at the animal and pet issues forum, they will have loads of advice..

sorry bout the dog, what breed/ age was he/she

kildare.17hmr

sorry about your dog man, bad buzz. Personally id go down the ould gone to live on a farm story or if ya live out in the country the gone to live with an old lady to look after her r somethin, i also have a 2.5 yr old lad and i think thats the way id be goin. have a 6 yr old 2 who id explain what really happened but dont reckon the lil lad is old enough to take it in and it might just confuse him more than anything.

Hope it goes ok what ever ya choose

Deerspotter

Springer cross, got aggressive, I had to put it down. 2 other dogs currently + plus a litter of pups...
Dog will only be missed by the little girl.

Was thinking of just saying he is gone hunting!!

jap gt

Deerspotter wrote: »

Springer cross, got aggressive, I had to put it down. 2 other dogs currently + plus a litter of pups...
Dog will only be missed by the little girl.

Was thinking of just saying he is gone hunting!!

with a 2.5 year old it just might work, also push the pups on her a bit, when they start playing she might forget

seoirse1980

Sorry about your dog. Very sad when a companion passes away. I'd be inclined to tell the child the truth and say that the dog died but is somewhere better now. It's a natural part of life but I suppose it depends on the child.

Seoirse

Deerspotter

I agree with telling her the truth, but she is very complex. Due to this, I feel that for right now, the easier option is to feed her a story.
We'll have loads of time to deal with death in a more meaningful way, but right now, I'd rather she went on enjoying her play-time with out fear of anything else disappearing in to "death"...

Dog was a good dog, but that is life in the country!

elius

Sorry for you loss first and formost. Id tell her she's gone off to get trained for hunting at a special dog school down the country .
Or something along those lines.... Sorry again

Deerspotter

Might not say the dog has gone huntung, as come September, when I say I'm going hunting, she might remember 'the dog went hunting and never came back, will daddy come back...?'

Hmmmm.

jap gt

Deerspotter wrote: »

Might not say the dog has gone huntung, as come September, when I say I'm going hunting, she might remember 'the dog went hunting and never came back, will daddy come back...?'

Hmmmm.

best thing is the dog has gone to mind a little old woman, on second thoughts she is a bit young to learn bout death

.17hmr

Deerspotter wrote: »

Might not say the dog has gone huntung, as come September, when I say I'm going hunting, she might remember 'the dog went hunting and never came back, will daddy come back...?'

Hmmmm.

sorry about the dog ,but could you not say that some one came in to the back garden and stole the dog and left all the rest they only took that dog because they knew that he was the best off all the dogs that you have,or tell the truth and face all the qustions

BELOWaverageIQ

Firstly sorry a out the dog but you have to apreciate just how resilient kids are.
I have three young daughters and I believe the best option it straight out.
Not in a brutal fashion obviously!!!! But a sit down we need to have a little talk.
Spot/ Rex etc etc has gone to holy gods house and he is really happy up there with his other doggy friends .....
After a little tears etc take the "hey" I think here is icecream on the freezer approach, or whatever is her favourite distraction ....
Believe me , been there done that, we really under estimate the resiliance of our kids.


Have you ever seen the movie 'UP' ? .... "squirrel"

Mark

Deerspotter

Gonna go with total distraction method and of she asks "Where's X?", we will say, "let's go see the puppies", or oh "look, here comes "Y"" and hope she forgets with in a few weeks.
She is so complex and emotionally intelligent, if we start to discuss the dog being gone for ever, it will raise fear in her, I would like to avoid that for as long as possible.

The reason I posted here and not the "PET" forum, is that you guys understand 'working' dogs and life in the country.
Not all dogs are pets...
In the pet forum, dogs are family members with more rights than humans!
All well in good in the "greeny, vedgy forum" but not the advice I seek.
Thanks guys.