Losing a pet is a devastating event. No one wants to say goodbye to a lovable animal who has been a part of the family for years. Many times pets wiggle their way into our hearts, and become as close to us as our own family members. Children in particular can develop intense attachments to their animals. In many cases, a child may admit that his or her dog or cat is his or her best friend. Sadly, pets are fragile, just like humans, and certain illnesses or injuries are impossible to recover from. While a veterinarian can try all sorts of different methods, there are times when an animal will not make it. This is especially true if the pet was diagnosed with a terminal illness like cancer or intense parvovirus.

If you are certain that your pet will not survive, then a vet may present you with several options. Oftentimes the best thing to do is put an end to your pet's suffering with a painless euthanasia. You can also choose to prepare for your pet with a sort of hospice care, but this is often very expensive and your animal may be left in intense discomfort despite your efforts. Once your pet has passed away, you will want to prepare for this sad time in your child's life. Often times people feel ashamed for missing their animals so much, and children are no exception. Their friends at school may make fun of them for being so devastated about the loss of their pet.

In order to help your child cope with the loss of their beloved friend, you will want to sit them down and explain that it is okay to be sad. The ASPCA suggests that you ask your children to draw a picture of their pet or write a letter to the animal. If you want, you can host a family memorial service, and bury your pet. You may want to plant a flower or tree in your animal's honor and have your children care for the plant. You can give your pet's collar, toys, or tag to your children as keepsakes. It may also be therapeutic for your children to make a scrapbook with photographs of their pet. They can collect photographs or their animal and arrange them chronologically, accenting them with stickers and captions.

You may want to sit down with your children and talk about memories that they have with their pet. While this may be a sad time of remembrance, your child can probably remember happy times too. Encourage your kids to participate in activities as normal, and be involved at school. When the time comes, you may want to look into purchasing a new puppy, kitten, or other pet for your child. This may help him or her to recover from losing his or her pet. There are plenty of books and resources for parents who are trying to help their children to get over the death of a pet, so take a look at them if you are at a loss as to what to do.

In order to prevent your children from having to go through such a difficult experience at a young age, make sure that you purchase healthy pets. When your animals are young, make sure that they receive all of their vaccinations on time. Only purchase animals that are from a reputable breeder, and were not shipped in from a puppy mill. Keep young animals inside the home, and it is always best to let your pets sleep in the house. Avoid letting your pets wander out into the streets where they could be hit by a car or encounter another dangerous animal. By keeping your pets safe, you may be able to prevent a premature loss of your pet.