Tell him the dog died, maybe get him a new one.
Sorry your dog passed, but losing a child is unthinkable.
At his age, I would distract him by getting a new puppy. This doesn’t mean you can’t still talk about the old dog—just reassure him that Fido is in doggy heaven, and this new puppy is his, now. It worked for me when our kids were small.
I think the title is misleading...why don’t you ask the mods to change it. It sounds like you lost our son as well. But I don’t think that’s what you meant, right?
Teach him how to lurk with you, that’ll take his mind off the dog.
Get a new puppy and allow the child to pick the name.
Tell him the truth.
The immediate introduction of a new pet helps tremendously. Been there, done that sorta thing. If you don’t want another dog for a while, time is the only answer. Just explain that his best friend went to heaven and he can still speak to him in prayer. Worked for my son. Hope this helps.
The death of a pet is a great way to teach children about death. You can explain to him that his dog died and will be gone now. Children have a very different time sense than we do and do not have a concept of forever. He may ask from time to time when he will see his dog again. Depending on your beliefs, you can simply say he is gone and will not be back, or you can say youwill see him in heaven. Since he is so young, you can expect him to ask a few times.
It will be a great reference for him when a person he knows dies later. He will have a concept of death being permanant.
At age 2+, he's probably still young enough that you can get a new puppy for the family and tell him that "big dogs go to the Happy Hunting Ground to be watchdogs in God's house" or something like that. A young puppy today will likely live through most of his childhood, so this might be a good time for a new dog anyway.
Use this as a life lesson for your child...that life is precious, but not predictable. Reinforce the notion that people should treasure the blessing they have while they have them.
I’d suggest that you not get another dog right away, as that would indicate that precious lives are easily replaced. Give him the truth as you teach, allow him to learn how to mourn the loss, and heal for a while.
If you want to replace the dog, do it after the grieving process has passed.
Best advice is to explain that the older pet has passed on, and get a new pet.
I’m in favor of Basil’s #4 posting. Sorry for your loss
and perhaps you need a new little puppy to help yourself
as well....JJ61
Boy, that is a hard one. A two and a half year old will not understand death. Maybe if you let him know your dog won’t be back, or that he won’t see the dog again (gently and matter of fact like). When you are ready to get another (and I hope you will—every kid needs to grow up with a pet), you can tell him that your gs sent your family a friend to help you to not miss him so much. Good luck
I agree.
This story could be about me. When I was two our family German Shepherd (no lie) passed away. My father ended up getting me a golden retriever puppy.
I also agree with any suggestion that “death” should be explained to a small child in a manner that allows them to understand that it is only a temporary separation.
My God, I am so sorry for your loss!
The loss of a beloved dog is unbeleivably traumatic that takes a long time to recover in the grief.
You may want to go to the bookstore and ask them if they have any books on loss of a pet ( children’s book).
I would tell your son that the ‘Black Dragon” is now a doggie angel and is with lots of other doggie angels with God in heaven. He is having a great time and is still “guarding you and watching over you “. He may want to pray to or talk to the Doggie Angel Black Dragon and that would be ok.
Your son will be most comforted by your love of canines and will learn much compassion from your grieving. You will be able to communicate-—even to a young child—that love does not die when the person ( or pupster) dies ...but that they are also special spiritual beings who are in our care.
You don’t mention how long ago it was that your dog died, but you might check a library for children’s books on the subject. At 2.5, though, even that might not have much of an impact, as far as an explanation goes. The doggie was here just a little bit ago, and now he’s gone. The concepts of death and time are difficult for such a little mind to comprehend. I wonder if maybe a German Shepherd stuffed animal might be something he could cuddle with and even name after your pet.
It was almost a year ago that we had to put Chase, our beloved Basenji, to sleep. My kids were almost-7 and 4.5 years old, and they became very, very upset, but there’s a big difference between a 2.5 yo and even a 4.5 yo.
It’s hard to comfort a grieving child when you yourself are grieving. When Chase died, we all just sat on the bed and had one big cry-fest, dh included. Best of luck to you.