Munchkin gets it

Well, it's been two days since Sammie died now and, amazingly to me, four-year-old Munchkin seems to really get it. She has told multiple people that Sammie died and that we won't see her again until we die. She has told me that she knows I'm sad and miss Sammie and she does too, but that she knows Sammie was "your very special dog."

She hasn't asked where Sammie is at all. She seems to know & understand. We avoided euphemisms and evasions of the truth with her and we allowed her to be there as Sammie died. She asked to be there and so we all went together. As with all decisions as a parent, I questioned whether this was the right way to do it or not, but I think this was the right way for her. Each child is different and, goodness knows, so are we parents!

To tell her Sammie was going to sleep or moving to a farm or any of the many other stories we know of dear friends telling their children about pets that disappear just would not have worked with her. I'm glad she is accepting this situation and dealing with her emotions openly.

She wants another dog to keep Pepper company and so we can be a two dog household again. She's very clear on this point. God bless her.