How to deal
with a pet passing away
Inter
view
!
It’s always sad to hear when someone’s pet has passed away and It can be even harder
when it is unexpected. Joe, aged 12 and Tom aged 10, know just how this feels as their cat
Sammy suddenly passed away in February. Louis visited their home in Kingston to find out
how they were coping.
“My firs
t memory
Sammy w
of
as when
we went
to a frien
d’s house
and a cat
called Mo
g there h
a
d
Kittens.
Sammy w
as one of
them”,
Here’s what the
boys had to say
about their
friendly feline!
-Joe
T
he boys said they are gradually
coming to terms with what has
happened and know that
there must be
many other
kids who
have expe-
rienced the
passing of
a pet. They
had some
very encour-
aging words for
those who
might need help in
these difficult times.
1) It’s okay to
cry!
Joe wanted to let
people know that it’s
okay to let out a tear
or two. “Allow your-
self to cry. If you don’t
then you will bot-
tling your emotions
inside and you’ll feel
sad for a lot longer”.
om’s
Joe and T
top tips!
2) Make a
memorial to
remember
them!
“Making a memorial
is a good idea as it will
always be a reminder
that your pet’s spir-
it is still with you”.
Joe said being able to
stroke Sammy’s urn
has helped him cope
with her passing
and believes it can
help bring closure
to a difficult time.
“She loved Dreamies! In the sum-
mer we would have our garden
doors open. If she was outside
and we wanted her attention, we
would just shake the packet and
she would come flying in to the
room and run straight in to the
walls!” - Tom
“You have brought
laughter in to my life
.
You built my confide
nce and trust, you
even gave me a hobb
y. The short 3 years
you lived were the be
st 3 years of my life
.
Thank you my lovea
ble baby girl.”
- Joe
3) Collect
things that
give you good
memories of
your pet!
“If you have things
like photos and videos
of your pet then use
them as way to fill
their absence. That
way they will all be in
your thoughts”. Tom
says it’s important
to never forget what
your pet meant to you
, even if you eventually
find a new companion.
4) Talk to
people
“Talk to friends and
family, this will help
you a lot.” Tom talk-
ing about Sammy
and the memories
he shared with her
have only helped him
to have a positive
outlook on things.
R.I.P Sa
m
m
y