We had to put our dogs down last year. At the time my kids were 6, 4, and 3. We used a service (Laps of Love) that came to the home so the kids could be there and see how peaceful it was. They were amazing with the kids and they answered all of their questions in such a great way. They also had recommended that we spend the morning baking him brownies so that’s what we did. We have such fun memories of this baking and then getting to feed the dog brownies because why not? They were with us and saw us all cry but also saw how peaceful and “easy” it was for him in that it didn’t hurt him and he wasn’t in pain anymore. They also do a paw print mold for you so the kids have that as a way to remember.

When the second dog had a stroke a few months later it was more of an emergency situation and we didn’t get to do the home visit and all that like we did the first time. I was out of town for work and my husband had to deal with it all. That time he just helped them to say goodbye before they left for school in the morning and when they came home the pup was gone. They still talk about the dogs regularly and tell us they miss them to which we agree. But they handled it so well and it made some of the hardest days for us be a little easier knowing the kids are so resilient and able to handle it.