Kids and mortality; Where did the dog go?

[Craftycarp]

My boy was talking about "dog heaven" the other day - our family dog recently died and is apparently (probably according to one of his friends) running around happy as Larry up there.

I don't know that I have the heart to bust his illusions about the fate of his beloved pet. He's only 7 - I reckon I might let it slide and bring it up later.

Anyone got any kind ways to break the news his dog probably isn't enjoying an afterlife?

[Senexis]

You may be on to something there, Mr Black.

Heaven (not just the dog kind) is in the hearts of the people who loved the departed.

<rolls it around, savours the flavour>

Yes, I like this one. I think I'm going to see how young Master Senexis finds it next time he asks about Heaven.

[Darwinsbulldog]

My doggy heaven consists of a bunch of naked nubile women from the five continents feeding me grapes and tending to my every desire!
It is all in the mind of the doggie!

[djarm67]

Just tell him that a dog sniffing another dogs butt is a sin. Then ask, did you ever see rover sniff another dogs butt?

The unfortunate consequence of doggie heaven is ....doggie hell.

[Brisbane Atheist]

Truth is always the best policy, even for little ones there is no need to lie and ingrain supernatural ideas into your child.
I like Blacks idea of living on in your son's heart and think it is an effective strategy. I prefer to tell them the dog lives on in your memory's which is more or less the same thing i guess. I tell them that everytime you think of the good times you had with your dog, he comes back to life in your mind and this will make you happy after your son has greived for a sufficent time. I tell them they can regale with your friends about the goodtimes you had with your dog, and relive his life for a few moments.
I think this will provide comfort for your child, and doesn't put bizarre ideas in thier heads.

[RealityRules]

Kid have a sensitive period around 7-8 yrs of age, so I would not discuss it at present - no harm in letting it go for a few years?

[Fearless]

I think there is no harm generally for children to let their imaginations run free a little.

A few children I have turned back to the child and said "what do you want to believe?". As long as it's not an outright lie you are feeding them in return, I believe it's ok to let them find their own way of coping with loss (if they can).

So if pooch is running around with the family goldfish in the sky then that's ok.

If the child asked me outright if there was a heaven I would give my honest response. Children are very influential anyway by parents so as much as there is no need to lie, your view/belief etc should be enough said plain and simply.

As long as they grow out of it but that sort of developmental stage varies from one child to another anyway.

If my religious mother on the other hand said 'Fred is in heaven' to a child of mine, I would be having a quiet word with her later.

It's the groomers you need to watch. Meanwhile children can have their innocence as long as it lasts.

[Senexis]

Originally Posted by Fearless

It's the groomers you need to watch.

Hear, hear!

[loubert]

mmm that reminds me of rainbow bridge.

http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Originally Posted by Craftycarp

My boy was talking about "dog heaven" the other day - our family dog recently died and is apparently (probably according to one of his friends) running around happy as Larry up there.

I don't know that I have the heart to bust his illusions about the fate of his beloved pet. He's only 7 - I reckon I might let it slide and bring it up later.

Anyone got any kind ways to break the news his dog probably isn't enjoying an afterlife?

Get him to watch Walt Disney's The Lion King as the "circle of life" thing is the most realistic explanation I can think of.

Alternatively you can save him the hassle and just let him know that the dog is at least no longer suffering all that pain and he is not going to any heaven or hell or anything like that; he's gone for good.