My beautiful little Jack Russell/Schnauzer passed away suddenly today with my granddaughters right there. They are 4 and 2 1/2. Papa came in from a short walk with him. He collapsed, yelped a few times then slowly faded away. He was almost 16 and we knew he wouldn't last forever, it just caught me off guard. I told the girls that he was very old and he died. Now I know they have no idea what die means but it's what I said. We all sat in the floor and held him, petted him hugged and kissed him. Then we explained that we would go to the vet and he would cross Rainbow Bridge and be with his friends. We went to the vet, said our final goodbyes and came home. They said they were sad and miss Bubbles. I told them that was ok. We miss him too and we are sad. Tears were shed by all. then everything was ok. Spoke with my DIL tonight. They told her that Bubbles was going to visit his friends over the bridge and that he would stay there and not come back home.
So ladies, did I handle this ok or will they be scarred for life. It just happened so fast I had to fly by the seat of my pants. My heart is hurting so bad right now. Thanks for listening.
Thank you everyone for your beautiful responses. I feel much better. I had talked to my DIL before she picked up the girls, this way we were both on the same page. I am sure there will still be questions, but I am prepared now. You are all the best! Thanks again
I am SO sorry for your loss. It is devastating to family when they lose a beloved pet.
I personally think you did an A+ job with your explaining it to the children.
My thoughts are with you.
ooh man!! My heart breaks for you!! My dog died unexpectedly at year ago June 13th. He died on his 5th birthday.
You handled this PERFECTLY!!!
I'm truly sorry for your loss!!!
It sounds like you did fine. When you get time to speak with your DIL privately, just share with her the finer details, so she can follow up with her kiddos how she sees fit.
I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose a furry family member, even if you know they are old and that it will happen eventually. Sounds like Mr. Bubbles enjoyed life right up until the end. Can't ask for a much better way to go. Certainly sounds better than suffering for weeks and leaving you to make a decision about going to the vet.
Mr. Bubbles spent his final time with loved ones. And will meet you on the other side of Rainbow Bridge.
Hugs.
You did a great job handling a tough situation. It was sudden and unplanned and you had zero time to think it through. You explained it well and in simple terms your grands could understand. I'm sorry for your loss.
I'm sorry for your loss!!! It sounds like you did a great job. I like that you were honest, instead of saying he "went to sleep". You acknowledged feelings and it sounds like you DIL supported everthing too. Again, sympathies for your big loss. He sounds like he was well loved!
I'm so sorry. You did fine. Honestly, it's SO hard, but in the long run, your children will remember this with love in their hearts and more understanding.
We lost our dog first, and then my husband's grandmother. I do think that it helped my son to cope with his great-grandmother's death, having gone through the dog's first.
Don't be surprised if the children fall back into tears harder in the days to come. It's so normal.
That was beautiful and I am so sorry for your loss. Dogs are like family to us.
Yes, you handled this very well!.I hope your DIL isn't being critical.
I'm so very sorry for your loss and keeping cool in front of the grandkids. As a vet technician and pet owner you handled this so well. The grandkids will know how much the dog was loved and that will carry on for them. Also your dog passed away after taking a nice walk, he didn't suffer a prolonged illness.
Take care, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Death is very much a natural part of life, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. One thing you can do as a parent to help children understand is to talk about the natural cycle of life. Plants, animals, bugs, some live a life where they're born, flourish, fade and eventually die. Some sicken and die. We enjoy their lives either way and are thankful for them.
How awful to lose a beloved pet so suddenly and have to think about handling two little kids at the same time. How wonderful that your dog lived a good life literally until the end, coming right in from a walk. You had no time to prepare as you would have with a long illness, but what a blessing it is that the dog wasn't suffering for a long period of time and that he was surrounded by his family at the moment he died.
I think you handled things wonderfully, and it's okay to let your DIL handle the rest of the question of "what happens when we die." I expect the kids will bounce back and move on more quickly than you will, so don't be surprised or insulted if they kind of forget about the dog sooner than you would expect or hope. I am sure they won't be scarred for life - just the opposite.
I think you can let your DIL handle the kids right now and concentrate on your own grief. Find something you can do to help you through the grief. We did some helpful things when our 14 year old terrier died, and they were very healing.
You handled it beautifully! Don't spend another second worrying.
We just lost our four-year-old dog very suddenly in May to GDV. I understand your pain all too well and send you my condolences on your loss.
