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Moms Talk: How Do You Handle the Death of a Pet?

When Fluffy or Fido don't make it, sometimes the hardest part is explaining it to your kids.

Every animal lover remembers the death of their first pet. Whether it was a 22-year-old cat who had lived as long as she possibly could, or a beloved dog whose life was cut too short after a tragedy, no one ever forgets losing a pet.

This week on Moms Talk, we want to hear how Dearborn parents make the best of a bad situation: How do you talk to your kids about the death of a pet?

Do you sugarcoat it with stories of doggy and kitty heaven, or lay it down straight? Do you bring in a replacement pet right away to soothe the pain, or let them learn to grieve? Or, even riskier, do you lie and say that Rex ran away?

Share your tips, stories and plans here on Moms Talk!

Molly Tippen May 25, 2011 at 02:01 pm
I think telling a child that a pet ran away is the wrong strategy. Then the child will alsways wonder where the pet went, and why he left. (Did the pet leave because he didn't like living with me? Did the pet get lost because I didn;t take good enough care of him?).
The best thing to do is explain the loss of the pet like the loss of an adult; that there's a circle of life, all livings leave some time. And, I think it's always good to explain that all dogs and cats go to Heaven.

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Carla O'Neill June 19, 2013 at 03:39 pm
Wasn't a major portion of the deficit a result of the failure of students to repay $$$millions inRead More student loans? There is a rumor that HFCC wants to forgive those loans and pass on the debt to Dearborn taxpayers. Was there due diligence regarding the awarding of these loans?
Tom B June 18, 2013 at 07:42 pm
Way too much for a college having financial problems.
Daniel Lai (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 03:09 pm
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Gary Woronchak June 12, 2013 at 10:32 am
Hasn't even worked one day? Not one day in 15 years? Really? Not even credit for one day? When IRead More worked at the Press & Guide (which eliminated my position in a budget restructuring that has continued under various corporate owners at the P&G for a decade and a half, resulting in them moving their offices to Southgate and more recently just out-and-out eliminating their editor, sports editor and photographer) we had a policy of no anonymous letters to the editor. This was done because, while everyone has the right to express their opinion, putting a real name with an opinion meant people displayed more decorum and, well, less cowardice than is allowed in online comments from the shadows. Joseph, the benefit of post-employment health care after just eight years of service may have, in the early 1990s, been more acceptable in some way I can't figure (retention of key department heads has been cited as a reason, as was that it apparently mirrored a benefit for state officials), but it clearly was part of the excesses of Wayne County that was unjustifiable and unsustainable in the 2000s. This practice was ended two years ago by a resolution I introduced.
Daniel Lai (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 11:22 am
The original comment has been deleted because it violates our terms of service.
Joseph Borrajo June 13, 2013 at 10:08 am
Thank you Gary Woroncahk for the response.
laplateau June 11, 2013 at 11:28 am
Yeah, unless the drinking trough is filled with taxpayer water.