No matter what age you are, losing a dog is extremely difficult and sad. The death of a dog can be especially difficult and confusing for kids, as it is typically their first experience of losing someone they love. Parents can often struggle with how to make their children feel better when they themselves are also feeling so very sad about the loss. For some, books on losing a pet and picture books about dog heaven may be helpful tools to help your children cope with the loss. Below are a few books about losing a dog that may help your family.
Fairy Dog Heaven
by Patrese Fischer, Illustrated by Marcus Cutler
When we lost our dog Molly, our kids were devastated. As were we. We found ourselves struggling to explain where she had gone and why. In the midst of our grief, we started imagining what Dog Heaven might actually look like. What was Molly doing up there? What wings she had picked out? What fun new adventures was she was up to? It helped us so much that we wrote it all down. And that is how our book Fairy Dog Heaven was born. Written for our own kids first, this book imagines the joy and silliness of Dog Heaven in a way that gives little ones something warm and hopeful to hold onto. Because sometimes the best way through grief is a story that reminds you that the ones you love are not just okay. They are having the time of their life.. > Buy Now
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
by Corinne Demas, Illustrated by Ard Hoyt
This is a sweet, straightforward children’s book about a little girl and her beloved dog, Lulu, who passes away. Though she is deeply saddened by Lulu's passing and misses her very much, over time the little girl discovers that the sweet memory of her beloved dog will live on forever in her heart. As time passes, the family adopts a puppy. “You’re not Lulu,” the girl whispers to him. “Still, I’ll love you, too.” > Learn More
I’ll Always Love You
by Hans Wilhelm
In this picture book, a young boy’s dog passes away and he vows that he will tell every pet he ever has that he will always love him. The book helps young kids understand death and provides a valuable lesson that it is always good to tell a loved one, pet or human, that you will always love them. > Learn More
The Forever Dog
by Bill Cochran, Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Many books about the death of a dog end with a new pet being added to the family, either right away or after a period of mourning. But for some families, another pet isn’t part of their future plans. The Forever Dog manages to end positively without the appearance of a new pet. Through his mom’s guidance, the little boy in the story realizes that his dog will always be with him and that the pain he feels is part of getting his dog settled in his new forever home — in his heart. > Learn More
When a Pet Dies
by Fred Rogers
This nonfiction book is a classic from the affable Mister Rogers of the show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. This book helps children understand death and their feelings of loss while also offering reassurance that grieving is a natural, healing thing to do. The book says "there will come a time when your sadness and anger have gone away … a time when you can feel happy again about the good times you and your pet had together." > Learn More