This post contains affiliate links please see the Disclosure and Privacy Policy page for full disclosures here.
On Saturday, March 16, 2019, we had to put our dog down and had to start the process of dealing with pet loss with a preschooler. She was about 7 1/2 years old and we have had her for about 5 years. Sadly, we left our third story windows open (there was a screen) while we ran a small errand. For some reason that we don’t understand, she jumped out the window. Our wonderful neighbors found her and called us. They stayed with her until we could get home and be with her. We took her to an emergency vet, but her injuries were too bad that they could not save her. We loved her and are very sad about her passing.
We had to talk to our daughter about Jillian’s passing because they loved each other. We ended up buying the book When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers. It has been a great book for us to read to her. She needed to know that even though we loved Jillian, we did what was the best thing for her. We really loved that the book was very direct in addressing what happened and validated her feelings. We still use the book to help her understand that even though Jillian died and we are sad, that one day we will be happy again and eventually get another dog. If you need a book to help a preschooler understand a pet loss, I recommend this book.
We wanted to do something for all the people that helped Jillian and us during this crazy time. We decided to bake cookies. We used recipes from Together as a Family and Pinch of Yum. My husband and I made the first batch together and C helped with the second batch. It was a great learning experience for her because we measured and poured together. It was good therapy for me as well to make the cookies and to give them to those that there was no way for us to thank them.
We loved you and will miss you Jillian!!!
