RIP: Jet :'(

[Bubbler]

Sorry about that Alley. You can at least take solace in the fact it's a pet and not a loved one. My 5-year-old son is still confused and sad about his grandfather dying in February. There's no hiding that one.

 

[dooley_womack1]

I told AA that I was going to visit his house with a Bud Light in one hand and a Diet Pepsi in the other and wave them in front of Little Man's face while asking about what he is naming his kittens, hoping he will pick "Beer" and "Soda."

Would that make me a bad, evil aunt?

That would make you the mayor of Potterville.

 

[CentralIllinoisan]

Can be a bonding time between father and son.... I remember some years back, when Dan the 10th and I discovered one of our kittens had been flattened by a car... we did the burial thing in the back yard (full moon and everything). We get the grave dug, then he says, "wait" and runs back the house. Comes back a few minutes later with a bag of cat food, pulls out a handful, then lines the bottom of the hole with it...a priceless moment for us both...

That made me tear up, Dan. Cat food in the bottom of the hole ... kids can be so sweet.

 

[Tom Petty]

It will break your heart to do so, but I would go for being honest with him.

I agree. I just feel really bad about it all.

i disagree. 5 is too young to learn about death first-hand. go with the concept first and then hard-line him with the next kitten that dies.

 

[Beaker]

Sorry about your loss, Alley.

 

[SockPuppet]

Gawd, this pet stuff can be tough.
I remember when my wife's dog died. The dog had become her parents' dog. It was old and they had to put her to sleep. I remember my wife calling to tell me about how her father had cried about putting Sugar to sleep. I wound up crying myself.
AA, I suggest you be honest with Little Man. It will be tougher on you than it will be on him.

 

[SockPuppet]

And one of our cats is named Jet. He's the outdoor cat and when he's gone too long the wife and I start worrying.

 

[farmerjerome]

Regrets to you family, AA.

I grew up on a farm where all of my pets died before their time. Every single one.

I had to learn about death quickly, but as long as you reassure your son that you gave it all the love you possibly could, there should be no lasting scars.

There are two pets I regret losing. One, Hunter, who got ran over two weeks before we moved and would've become an indoor cat.

Second, Bailey, who died slowly from urinary tract problems. I was just starting to develop OCD symptoms when he got sick so I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with him that I should have. This hits me hard a lot. My mom has to keep reassuring me that she spent time with him to compensate. But I still feel guilty.