CYP Now - Resources: Review - Dealing with the death of a pet

The death of a pet may seem a relatively trivial loss compared to the range of other bereavements young people can face during their childhood. However, the parent agonising over whether to have an elderly dog put down, or the teacher who has experienced the sinking feeling on finding the class hamster lifeless in its cage, will be only too aware of the significance these animals play children's lives. As the introduction to JoAnn Tuzeo-Jarolmen's book explains, the death of a pet is often the first time children encounter the end of life.

The author discusses how children's grief following a pet's death oftengoes unrecognised or is trivialised with comments such as "get over it,it was only an animal". She draws on her own experience of supportingchildren and young people to illustrate the reactions that may be seenat different ages. Stressing that grief varies between individuals, sheshows how it can be affected by the nature of the death and the role theanimal played in the child's life.

The book is aimed more at parents and carers than teachers and othersworking with children and young people and includes tips on helpingchildren and young people in age appropriate ways as well as coveringthe tricky question of whether and when to get a new pet. Tuzeo-Jarolmensuggests open communication within the family about an animal's illnessand death can help, and explains how euphemisms such as "gone to sleep"can confuse children. Many of the suggestions are also relevant to thosesupporting children and young people through other bereavements.

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