Saying good-bye to puppies
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
United States
July 8, 2009 2:53pm CST
Our lab had 4 puppies a few weeks ago. In the next week or so they will be leaving us and I was wondering how some people may have handled this when it comes to their kids. Although my older kids understand that we cannot afford to keep 4 more big dogs (they are lab/coonhound and we have both the parents)our 4 yr. old is devastated already. When I told her we had homes for the last two puppies she cried her eyes out about giving away her babies. I keep trying to explain things to her but she is little and just not getting it. If we could have kept one we would but things just are not going well enough to do so.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@savypat (20216)
• United States
8 Jul 09
Four is not to young to learn the facts of life, take the emotion out of it and show her what would be cut off if you had to feed any more dogs. Don't expect instant results but give her time to think about it. Giving puppys or kittens away is always a tug at your heart strings. You can also explain that because she gave them loving care other people will want them and will give them good homes, let her feel responsible for the fact that these dogs are going out into the world to make other people happy.
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I know it is not too young but would love to soften the blow a little. When it comes down to it she is ok with all but one of the puppies leaving. There is one that she just loves to bits and in truth she has had to deal with a little too much reality in the last year for someone so young. It is easier with some of the other puppies as they are going to homes where she will see them again. Life is life though.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
8 Jul 09
That is so sad for your four year old. I wish there were a way to help her to understand. It's not like you are putting them in the pound or something like that. Maybe you could tell her that the puppies are making another little girl happy or something like that. I don't know if that would help, but it couldn't hurt. Have a great day!!!
