I am being really challenged this weekend

[Faery-Wings]

Not only did I have to answer questions about God/dess, religions and prayers on Saturday to my 5 yo son, Sunday I had to explain death and souls and Afterlife to him :(

We had to put one of our cats down yesterday. He had chronic urinary track infections. He got hit by one so quickly yesterday that we chose to end the suffering for him. He was a feral we rescued 6 years ago and was not comfortable being handled by anyone, let alone a vet trying to squeeze his bladder for the millionth time. And the catheters and shots and meds .... :(

We had the kids say goodbye to him as my husband took him to the ER Vets. Scott seemed to grasp the idea and said that Rhett was going to Heaven and that Daddy would be back with just the carrier. We talked about missing him and that we could think of him and look at pictures. We were all very sad but knew Rhett was happier not being in pain. :(

I put Scott to bed last night and we talked all about his b-day today so I had hoped he would have happy thoughts while asleep. Two minutes later he came out crying that his toe hurt and I knew that everyhting was sinking in. He had to know every last detail of Rhett's death. He wanted to know how the soul leaves the body, what the soul is made up of, is there a heaven for cats and other for people, did it hurt Rhett to die. Poor kid was so sad and upset and so was I. I don't know if I hurt worse for my poor cat or for Scott and his pain. We cried together for an hour.

May the Goddess watch over Rhett and throw him a treat or two for me.

Chris, tears running down my face
:( :( :(

[Yvonne Belisle]

Today is my 4 year olds birthday. We have also had several difficult talks. I have 4 children and he is the youngest I have found that the talks never get easier with practice. You have been hit with one of the harder ones to answer when they are that young though. I don't know if it helps any but I think you handled the question very well from what you have said. Just consider that maybe your cat is preening at the feet of Bast lounging in an endless summer chasing butterflies and mice through the fields while he waits to return.

[Hestia]

I'm so sorry about your kitty. We lost a kitty 2 years ago when my son was 2 1/2. She had cancer and it was so sudden. Unfortunately my son saw how sick she would get and remembers all the trips we had to take to the vet until the last one. I have a picture of her in a garden from one of our previous homes and I told my son that that's where our kitty went. Where she won't br sick anymore and that anytime we look at her picture she can see us and she knows we love her. When we got another kitty last year I told him that a part of our first kitty is inside Pye, our new one. He seems to be able to understand that and every now and then he still says hello to the picture of our other kitty. When we lost her a friend of mine recomended a children's book called All Cats Go To Heaven. I never bought it but it's a heartfelt way to explain the loss of a pet to a child as long as the idea of god and heaven doesn't conflict with your beliefs.

May the Goddess wrap Rhett in lots of love and shower him with an endless supply of treats from all who loved him :)

[Faery-Wings]

Yvonne, happy belated b-day to your son!! Did he have a nice day?

Thank you and Hestia for understanding and replying. He is still asking questions and your suggestions helped me a lot. And your images of Rhett with Bast is exactly how I want to remember him.

BB!

Chris

[Yvonne Belisle]

He had a good one! I thought it was funny that they both had birthdays on the 21st. Mine piged out on peach upsidedown cake. I hope your son also had a lot of fun.

[Dria El]

I don't know if you caught it the last time I shared this but I got it in an email or something a long time ago and saved it. Maybe it will help.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals that have been ill and cold are restored to health and vigor, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops...and looks in the distance. His bright eyes are intent, his eager body begins to quivers...suddenly his legs carry him faster and faster. You have been spotted. And when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands caress the beloved head and you look once again into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. And both of you cross the Rainbow Bridge Forever...

[Faery-Wings]

Oh Dria El, that was really beautiful. It has been over two weeks and my son is still sad at times and asks how Rhett is doing, how his soul is and if his soul is happy. I can read this too him, or at least paraphrase it. I think being able to picture the Rainbow Bridge will make it easier for him to think of Rhett.

Chris, sniffing again

[AutumnFire]

I lost my beloved white angora,Hekete last August just before her 13th birthday. I am sorry to hear about your loss and think you have handled the explanations admirably. Blessings to you and your lil ones. Autumn-Fire