Thread: What do you say

When your 12 year old daughter has one of her favorite bunnies die two weeks ago and tonight she has her horse die from colic while she was with her.

When all the hours of prayer don't change the outcome

When the vet has spent numerous hours with the horse and is racing down the road behind me to get there but the horse dies before we can reach her

When she asks "why me?" or "what did I do to deserve this?"

I know I can tell her its not her fault, that she doesn't deserve this, that she did the best she could. For a 12 year old she is amazingly responsible with her animals.
For the rest of it I don't know but I'm hoping for my daughters sake I can figure it out pretty quick.
Some days life sucks!

Bob

Your daughter will never mature if she doesn't experience these types of events, they make us grow.

There isn't really any need to say anything except that your sorry about what happened too. Its more important to show her how to move on through the pain, let time pass, and start over again. The most difficult step is getting over the anger, the grief is painful, but the anger can be destructive.

At the same time, you need to learn that you can't protect her from everything.

It might help too to remember there are far worse difficulties life can throw at you.

Sorry to hear about this, Bob.

When a child loses a pet, it can be an incredibly painful experience. As I type this, I can think of some childhood pets I've seen pass on, and I can feel the tugs of the heart strings again. Mind you, these events occured almost 30 plus years ago.

Be there for her. Only time will heal the pain. I remember my younger sister being terribly grief-stricken when our first family dog died, and my older sister simply held her in her lap while she cried it out. It took a long time. Being a boy, I kind of was expected to "tough it out" but it still hurt. I do distinctly remember my older sister providing the support my little one needed.

Don't make the mistake of trying to replace the loss too quickly. Grief, even expressed for pets, has to go through stages. Good luck.

Don

Hate to hear about your Daughter's rabbit and horse passing on. If you lived nearby I'd give you a couple of rabbits lol. I inherited my Nieces mini lops.

I'm not sure if you're religious or not, but Mom and Dad always told me that Jesus needed them in Heaven, and that they were happy and feeling no pain.

I'd tell her that death is an inevitable part of life and however painful it may be sometimes we just have to accept that it happens. There's no point in asking "why me?" - some things are just random and have no particular reason, everybody is unlucky sooner or later.

Although it may not seem that way, this is actually a positive experience for her, you can't protect kids from reality.

I lost both my Samoyeds last year...and it still hurts when I think about it. Still, death is a part of living, it isn't punishment or targeting someone particularly.

One thing I read - don't remember where - was, that in cases like this, it may help to say/believe: "There are some creatures too gentle, too kind, too gracious, too beautiful, too heroic, too full of love to remain for long on this Earth; they are better suited for the wonders of heaven.

"The Rainbow Bridge"

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.


You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....


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