The Blue Willow Groups
of New World Christian Ministries

Responding to Children's Needs
At the Loss of a Pet

    Many times, a child’s very first experience with death is when a family pet dies. How parents and relatives react will affect them for the rest of their lives. So, it is important to teach children how to express grief in emotionally healthy ways that will be free of shame or embarrassment. The following are helpful guidelines.

Adapted from "Responding to Children’s Needs During Pet Loss"
by Argus Institute of Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

	Be careful about using euphemisms such as "put to sleep." These can be frightening and confusing and may make the child frightened of bedtime. If you do wish to use such euphemisms, be sure to explain the meaning you wish to convey.
	Be honest about a pet’s death and don’t conspire with other family members to lie.
	Understand that the emotional responses to a pet’s death varies according to the child’s relationship with the animal. Don’t assume that a child’s reactions will be the same as that of an adult.
	Recognize that pet death is a significant loss for children and should not be trivialized or minimized.
	Discover what the individual child is thinking and be open and receptive to any questions or concerns that the child may have.
	Be alert to irrational thinking. Young children often mistakenly believe that they are somehow responsible for the pet’s death. Parents should be aware of this and talk openly with their children about their concerns.
	Parents should involve children in decisions surrounding the pet’s illness and death. If the possibility of euthanasia becomes evident, educating children about the procedure will help them be prepared, if that possibility becomes a reality.
	Do not encourage replacement of the pet. Wait as long as it takes to get through the grieving process before considering another pet.
	Involve the children in a "good-bye ceremony" and in memorializing the pet.

	Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 For humans and animals both breathe the same air, and both die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! Both go to the same place - the dust from which they come and to which they must return.
	1 Corinthians 15: 24-26 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God and Father; having put down all enemies of every kind. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
	Revelation 21:4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.

The Blue Willow Groups
c/o New World Christian Ministries
P. O. Box 1262
Bellingham, WA 98227 USA

E-Mail:  BlueWillow
E-Mail: New-World

We would like to offer prayer for you and your child at this troubled time.

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