Would You Allow A Nine Year Old Attend?

[chrissa1]

Very sadly I am going to have to come to the decision to have Toby, put to sleep.

He is loved dearly by my granddaughters, especially my nine year old, so it’s gong to be very hard.

If she asks to be there, would you allow it or say, no?

[NoMercy]

If it were my child, yes. If it were my grandchild, I'd let her parents make the decision.

If she is refused, she may never forgive.

[murraymints]

I wouldn't.. but you know your grandaughter... very sad time for you so sorry...

[ladybirder]

IF she asks to be there yes I think you should let her Chrissa. It will be peaceful, and it will teach her that this is the right thing to do if there is no hope of a decent quality of life.

[ummmm]

Yes if that's what she wants. Death is part of life, sadly.

[Barmaid]

I'd go one step further and ask her what she wants - not wait for her to ask you. (With her parents' blessing of course) and accept her decision either way.

[pastafreak]

I'd say yes also...but stipulate that she has to ask her parents. She will be able to say goodbye, and also see that death brings peace.

[Prudie]

If she asks without prompting and her parents are OK yes but I'd never put such an idea in her head.

[Baldric]

If she wants to be there and her Parents are ok with it then yes I don't see a problem.

(Sad News sorry to see it)

[mazie]

Difficult. My youngest Granddaughter is 9, she wouldn't cope with it the other 2 would I think. Depends on the child chrissa. So sorry about your pet x

[murraymints]

as Prud said... I would worry about the after effects.. and would prefer to break the news later...

[chrissa1]

Of course. Nothing would be said without my son’s blessing.

I agree with all of you and thank you for reinforcing my thoughts.

I just have to decide when, is the right time, to put into effect this final act of love, for Toby. :’(

[chrissa1]

I will, ask the question of her and respect her wishes.

[jennyjoan]

very sad to hear about Toby - I would let the little girl decide for herself with help from mum and dad.

[ummmm]

As much as we love our pets I don't think we mourn them like we do our loved ones. Dealing with the death of a pet is often the first experience of grief a child has to deal with.

Kids are also very resilient and accepting of facts. She'll be upset but she will deal with it as most kids do. Just let her be the one to decide (or her parents)

[chrissa1]

Yes. She knows he is not well and is probably expecting it, but I don’t think she realises how we would do it and save poor old, Tobe from further distress.

We shall talk.

[kvalidir]

Definitely yes, otherwise she'll imagine all sorts of things, whereas I've never seen an animal put to sleep where it's passing wasn't really very gentle and nice.

[chrissa1]

I couldn’t agree more, kval.

[Barmaid]

Chrissa I think an important thing to remember is that in a situation like this where you have rationally considered everyone's feelings and made a decision on that basis you cannot ever be said to have done the wrong thing.

[woofgang]

What Barmaid said.

[naomi24]

I'd say no.