A Pet Death

[mouse]

My son has 9 turtles,a leopard gecko,and 9 fish.Yesterday,one of his turtles died.It ws named after my Dad(who passed away almost 2 years ago).So,my son got a nice container for the turtle,is burying him in the backyard.He bought a sympathy card and wrote a poem,as well as took a picture of him.

Needless to say,he(as I am)is pretty upset over the loss.He took such good care of him.So,we had a ceremony to honour the turtle.Also put some flowers at the site.

It is so comforting to my son to do this.His turtle was his,one of his family members.I feel that to show respect at times like this,further instills in a child that they do matter,and that their pets are more than just pets...

How has anyone else handled the death of one of their childrens pets?

[kardav864]

I don't have any children, but as a child I always found comfort in a funeral for my beloved pets. Sadly we are facing the loss of our older dog at some point in the near future.
I think that recognizing that the pet is a family member and being allowed to grieve is very important. I find that people who suggest "oh just get another one" bring out the "I wanna smack that person" in me.
When our beloved dog goes to his maker, we will have a memorial service for him. He is more than just my pet, he is my loving, and faithful companion.

[mouse]

[Maggiemayrhian]

My daughter buried plenty of her pets in the backyard, from hamsters to mice and rats etc. I wonder what the new owners thought when they saw the little crosses to mark the different sites?

[kardav864]

Three months before we moved into our house, my beloved cat passed away. I have always believed in the "want" and "need" thing as being 2 entirely separate concepts. I didn't want Morgan to be with us in our new home, I NEEDED him to be there. So we very carefully wrapped him in his blanket, placed him in a wooden cat coffin and stored him in our freezer until we moved. Once we were settled, we found the perfect resting place for him in our back yard, and then my husband gave me the most beautiful gift he has ever given me. In a pet store he came across the loveliest clay commemorative plaque, it reads, "One beloved cat rests here."
I can only imagine when we are gone and our house is sold, what the new owners will think. For me, after having Morgan for 17 years, he meant more to me than I could articulate to people. He and I were a team for all that time and he went with me everywhere I went. If he didn't like a man I was dating, that man was kicked to the curb. He went with me on my first date with my husband, obviously Morgan approved! He's been gone 13 years and I miss him terribly. I'm not sure actually that I have ever gotten over his loss. It was just the two of us for so long.
The fact that my husband recognized my need to grieve and my need to have him close, even after he passed away, makes my husband one special man.