JW Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 My daughter has 2 pet gerbils and one of them is on it's last legs I'm afraid.I don't think she knows how far along it is, so we might be having quite an emotional night in our household.(my daughter cries when a fish is speared on Survivor) I suppose this is part of growing up, but it will be heartbreaking nevertheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbwii Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 good luck buddy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 I'm sorry to hear that I hope all goes well. Loss of life is never an easy thing to deal with. All the best with the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveliberate Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 That definitely sounds intense JW... How old is you daughter? Have you explained to her about deaths place in the cycle of life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 Hannah is 9 yrs old. It was a rough morning as poor Ginger passed away during the night.Yes, we have had the "circle of life" talks but it doesn't help too much when the event actually happens.There were a lot of tears in the house this morning.We are planning a burial tonight. It won't get any easier as the other gerbil is the same age ( 3.5 yrs )and our dog Kelsey is 15.5 yrs (black lab) Rough experience but it makes me feel better to see that my kids are so compassionate. thanks for the support all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 RIP Ginger I would be boned trying to convince a child that death isn't so bad, as I don't have any belief in a cycle / circle / afterlife. The best I'd have would be to say that the animal presumably had a good life and that death is inevitable, and life is what matters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 My condolences to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I'm sorry for your loss. It's always helpful to have some kind of rememberance ceremony (there are several family pets buried in peach crates in the flower beds of my family home, as well as some 'found' birds and stray cats). It's always tough losing a loved one, no matter what species, but I think that being exposed to death as part of the cycle of life at a young age makes it a bit easier to handle the death of beloved humans later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW Posted November 10, 2006 Author Share Posted November 10, 2006 Thank you all for your kind words. We had a family ceremony last night. We selected a burial spot in the yard and all of us took turns saying a few words and sprinkling some soil over the box. We have plans on making a flower bed around the spot. Hannah is busy decorating a memorial stone which we will place over Ginger's grave. I have a feeling that this little flower garden will be well used by the time our kids are grown up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicole Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 I'm sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 I'd like to add my condolences as well. I think your send off was very nice. Ginger was lucky to have such a great family to live her life with. Best of luck to you and yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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