When a child's pet dies, should we get them another, if YES, how soon?
By Katak
@submerryn (1304)
Malaysia
July 8, 2009 9:46am CST
My neighbour's 5 year old daughter had just lost her pet dog, Busker to cancer. She is devastated and is mourning deeply for him. My neighbour was thinking of getting her daughter another dog to replace Busker as she can't stand seeing her daughter all down and depressed.
I think it is not too good of an idea. I think it is good that the child is mourning, it meant she understand the concept of life.
Do you think we should get another pet when an existing pet dies? If YES, how soon? If NOT, why so? Help me with the pros and cons here, so we can make the best decision for this little gal.
4 responses
@submerryn (1304)
• Malaysia
8 Jul 09
There are concern that she might not respond too well with her future new pet too. In fact, we are afraid of getting her another as it will die again and she will have to go through the pain again. But then, this is life and in life, everything will die sooner or later rite?
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I think they should take some time to let her get over the first dog before getting her another. If they rush out and get her another dog right away then she won't learn to cherish what she has. She will always think that nothing she has matters much because it can always be replaced with something newer. It is really hard to see a child sad over losing a pet, but they will recover.
@submerryn (1304)
• Malaysia
8 Jul 09
Exactly. That's why I thought so too. It's just that as a mother, my neighbour doesnt want to see her daughter in sadness. I'll try to talk to her again as I really see that rushing will bring more harm than goodness.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
8 Jul 09
Now I am not into replacing pets right off the bat but my husband is. When we lost our dog a week before Christmas he brought home a new dog that night. I wasn't too pleased as I didn't want to teach them that love is replaceable but I must say they mourned anyway, but they where happy for the new dog as well. It went so much smoother then I had thought it would that I have re thought my opinion of it. What it comes down to, I think is the parents and their reaction. If they talk about the lost pet as well as the new one everything should be fine because it also teaches the kids that life does go on, you can love another, and to handle ones emotions.
@submerryn (1304)
• Malaysia
8 Jul 09
Oh dear, really? Your children can accept the new pet immediately? That's great. All the while I equal it to 'rebound'. I always believe rebound relationship doesnt work so I thought replacing a pet immediately is like diving into a rebound. But I'm glad your husband's arrangement went smoothly!
