Well, I told Madison (Bullymom)

Kudos to you for telling her the truth. I'm sure she'll be fine, she's young enough.

And it's going to be okay. There will be another kitten some day. Around here, you can just walk out the door and find loose cats.

Nobody can replace a lost pet, but good for you for being honest with her. She will appreciate that when she's older, and it will make it easier for her to accept such things later in her life. 

 What Cita said.  I know it was hard for you, but you being there for her and being honest with her will be invaluable to your relationship.

I'm so PROUD of you for taking the big step of telling the truth. She will be fine as long as you are fine now. Children are going to look to their parents for a reaction and show her how strong you are and she'll be strong too :o) GOOD JOB!

Today has been better.  She asked me if Skittles was in her heart and I told her that he was and he would stay in her heart as long as she remembers him.  She's still a little emotional and I am too but I think she will make it through this.  I told her that if she wants, I'll get her another cat.  She said that she wants one that looks like Skittles (yellow Tabby)  and I took the other cats to the vet and had them tested and the results were negative!!!  The vet said that since the death was so sudden, he believes that it was heart related.  Skittles was the first, and last stray that I have seen around here.  He is going to be missed but I know he is in a better place.  Thanks everyone! 

Bullymom

Today has been better.  She asked me if Skittles was in her heart and I told her that he was and he would stay in her heart as long as she remembers him

Good grief, reading that nearly made me cry as well!  Sounds like she's found a way to cope... wise kid.  And very very sweet!

Good for you for biting the bullet and telling the truth.

Pomeranian <3

I'm so PROUD of you for taking the big step of telling the truth.

Me, too! Good on you, girl!  

 You're a wonderful mom for being truthful with her.  I know it hurts to tell them something that will hurt them, but it will hurt far less in the long run.  Its a lesson that we all have to learn in life and IMO, the earlier its learned, the easier it is.  The first death I really experienced was when I was 18 and it was one of my best friends.  Having no experience with death, I had no idea how to deal with it.  I can't help but feel that if I had only known more...

Plus now you don't have to worry about someone slipping up and accidently telling her the truth.  

BTW, my friends cat died after being attacked by one of her dogs.  He had no external injuries, nothing visable.  He was damaged internally though.  Just a thought. 

Chuffy

Bullymom

Today has been better.  She asked me if Skittles was in her heart and I told her that he was and he would stay in her heart as long as she remembers him

 

Good grief, reading that nearly made me cry as well!  Sounds like she's found a way to cope... wise kid.  And very very sweet!

Good for you for biting the bullet and telling the truth.

I'm gonna second that!

 I almost started crying again when she asked that question.  I told her that it is o.k. to be sad and cry.  What really made me lose it last night was that she said "God cannot have Skittles because he is my best friend and I love him."  That broke my heart.  When I told her that Skittles would not be coming back, she cried and asked if her daddy would be coming home.  He's out of town.  I guess she thought that her daddy had left too.  So sad.

I just got an e-mail about a little girl who's dog died and it was soooo said, but such a sweet, sweet story.  If I can find it, I'll try to post it.  But, Mr. Roger's from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, apparently wrote a book about the death of a pet.  Maybe you can get it and read it to her.  It was at the end of the e-mail, and it was just a sweet story.  It made me cry!  Poor little baby, maybe the book will help her understand. 

I think this is the one you mean

There is a God in the Post Office. This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

"Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. Love, Meredith."

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at thepost office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. '

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" ....in an unfamiliar hand writing. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

"Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love. "

Love, God

And this "About my dog: Marimo" I admit. This made me bawl. It is worth the 10 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGQVX8iGbgk&feature=related