I'm so sorry for your loss. It was so hard when we lost our cat 2 years ago - harder than I expected! Sounds like you are doing a great job walking with your kids through this.
My son still cries when he thinks about the dog we lost 2 years ago when he was only 3. It's amazing how much they can attach at such a young age. I love the idea of a stuffie- I hadn't thought of that!
Oh Julie- sending you all the love too. It truly is heartbreak beyond words- you are right. I am hoping you are continuing to navigate the waves of grief. Sending you love!
Oh friend. This is so hard. We have a very old dog and I’ll be coming back to your words. I too always use the words of death and dying in my ministry. We have to name a thing for what it is. And animals are never “just”. Peace friend.
🤍 losing a pet is so hard, but how lucky are your kids to have you as a mom to help them process their grief like this! I love the concept of giving your grief somewhere to go, I'm going to be thinking on that for awhile. As for doggy heaven... my cat died shortly after my daughter was born and she loves to ask questions about him and I always tell her "I sure hope he's in heaven when we get there." Pets are the best!
Kristina, I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing these helpful ideas for grieving families. I especially appreciate your candor with the kids and the adorable stuffed animals.
Thank you for the encouragement, Aly! The candor with the kids was awkward and hard, even knowing it was what they needed... I don't think that's talked about enough, so I appreciate you naming that! I, too, LOVE the stuffed animals ☺️
I can see how it would be hard and awkward—that’s why so many parents avoid and use euphemisms. Awkward is so much better than false information, ambiguity, or leaving them alone in their questions and pain. Thanks for modeling the hard but necessary conversations!
This post has been on my TBR list for awhile now because loosing a pet is so so so hard. The way you moved and demonstrated grief and honored Gryffin is moving. I am so incredibly sorry for you loss friend but know you gave him an incredibly beautiful sweet life. Hugs hugs hugs!
Shooooo. I cried. This is so good, Kristina. I, too, had not thought of "giving your grief somewhere to go" before and really like that -- whether it's a stuffy, bodily movement, journaling, etc. As someone with an aging pet myself, I know I will need this before I'm ready!
Awwww, sorry to hear of your aging pet, Caitlin. Loving and losing is SO hard! I'm glad some of these ideas may be helpful though- that's what I was hoping for in sharing.
Oh, Kristina! I'm so sorry you lost Gryffin. They are so much more than pets. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful ways you're grieving him.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It was so hard when we lost our cat 2 years ago - harder than I expected! Sounds like you are doing a great job walking with your kids through this.
My son still cries when he thinks about the dog we lost 2 years ago when he was only 3. It's amazing how much they can attach at such a young age. I love the idea of a stuffie- I hadn't thought of that!
This is a good reminder for my littlest one! I am sure she will remember more than we realize!
So sorry for your loss, Kristina. Saying goodbye to our beloved pets is such a hard thing to have to do.
*lost my best bud, my beloved dog, today. It’s a heartbreak beyond words.
Oh Julie- sending you all the love too. It truly is heartbreak beyond words- you are right. I am hoping you are continuing to navigate the waves of grief. Sending you love!
Oh friend. This is so hard. We have a very old dog and I’ll be coming back to your words. I too always use the words of death and dying in my ministry. We have to name a thing for what it is. And animals are never “just”. Peace friend.
🤍 losing a pet is so hard, but how lucky are your kids to have you as a mom to help them process their grief like this! I love the concept of giving your grief somewhere to go, I'm going to be thinking on that for awhile. As for doggy heaven... my cat died shortly after my daughter was born and she loves to ask questions about him and I always tell her "I sure hope he's in heaven when we get there." Pets are the best!
Pets ARE the best- thanks for reading, friend! Here's to seeing our pets again in Heaven ☺️
Kristina, I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing these helpful ideas for grieving families. I especially appreciate your candor with the kids and the adorable stuffed animals.
Thank you for the encouragement, Aly! The candor with the kids was awkward and hard, even knowing it was what they needed... I don't think that's talked about enough, so I appreciate you naming that! I, too, LOVE the stuffed animals ☺️
I can see how it would be hard and awkward—that’s why so many parents avoid and use euphemisms. Awkward is so much better than false information, ambiguity, or leaving them alone in their questions and pain. Thanks for modeling the hard but necessary conversations!
This post has been on my TBR list for awhile now because loosing a pet is so so so hard. The way you moved and demonstrated grief and honored Gryffin is moving. I am so incredibly sorry for you loss friend but know you gave him an incredibly beautiful sweet life. Hugs hugs hugs!
Thank you. I found this article today. We just
Shooooo. I cried. This is so good, Kristina. I, too, had not thought of "giving your grief somewhere to go" before and really like that -- whether it's a stuffy, bodily movement, journaling, etc. As someone with an aging pet myself, I know I will need this before I'm ready!
Awwww, sorry to hear of your aging pet, Caitlin. Loving and losing is SO hard! I'm glad some of these ideas may be helpful though- that's what I was hoping for in sharing.