Misty has passed away
Discussion
Misty passed away this evening after my mum found her all curled up and unable to walk. Rushed vets visit revealed a large tumour in her spleen. It was game over and she was put to sleep. It's hard to believe but we took them out all day Sunday and she was fine.
She was my parents dogs but I love next door and my children were incredibly close to both misty and foggy. I have just told them both that misty has passed away but understandably at 6 and 7 they are very upset.
Any tips on helping children overcome the loss of a pet?
I'm so sorry :-(. Splenic tumours hide until they can hide no more and cause a severe bleed. Sometimes they are operable but many have spread or will spread to the liver.
How old was Misty (gorgeous dog)
For your children it has to be honesty. Don't use the term gone to sleep and explain what was wrong and why Misty died. Explain how nature is (but gently obviously) and that bodies wear out but animals bodies tire much more quickly thAn us.
As one quote put it when a young boy lost his best friend (dog) his approach was humans spend all their lives trying to love properly, dogs learn to love everyone Mich more quickly so they don't need to be with us as long (something like that!)
Let them make a memory box and put in all their favourite things that will remind them of Misty and let them know it's ok to talk about her and laugh at memories they don!t have to be sad. And whilst honesty is good it is ok to talk about the Rainbow Bridge, after all that's where my Jimmy is
How old was Misty (gorgeous dog)
For your children it has to be honesty. Don't use the term gone to sleep and explain what was wrong and why Misty died. Explain how nature is (but gently obviously) and that bodies wear out but animals bodies tire much more quickly thAn us.
As one quote put it when a young boy lost his best friend (dog) his approach was humans spend all their lives trying to love properly, dogs learn to love everyone Mich more quickly so they don't need to be with us as long (something like that!)
Let them make a memory box and put in all their favourite things that will remind them of Misty and let them know it's ok to talk about her and laugh at memories they don!t have to be sad. And whilst honesty is good it is ok to talk about the Rainbow Bridge, after all that's where my Jimmy is
Kids are ok we got them photos to keep by their beds to look at when they feel sad and we have all been making a fuss of Foggy.
Kids chose him a new toy and my parernts bought him a nice fluffy bed as he used to sleep sidebyside with Misty. He seems ok to be honest. We've had him to our house (live next door and have a gate between our gardens) We will take him out as usual this weeken for a couple of nice long walks and see how he is.
There is a slight posibility we might stud him out. Bit of a coinsidence but just before Misty passed away I saw a facebook post locally of someone looking for a male Sheltie stud for her female. We hadnt given it any thought then but I spoke to my parents. They dont want a puppy (or paying) but I thought I might. That way Foggy would have a friend/puppy next door and be happy?
Or is that silly idea?
Kids chose him a new toy and my parernts bought him a nice fluffy bed as he used to sleep sidebyside with Misty. He seems ok to be honest. We've had him to our house (live next door and have a gate between our gardens) We will take him out as usual this weeken for a couple of nice long walks and see how he is.
There is a slight posibility we might stud him out. Bit of a coinsidence but just before Misty passed away I saw a facebook post locally of someone looking for a male Sheltie stud for her female. We hadnt given it any thought then but I spoke to my parents. They dont want a puppy (or paying) but I thought I might. That way Foggy would have a friend/puppy next door and be happy?
Or is that silly idea?
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