When Is Buddy Coming Home?: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child with the Loss of a Pet

When Is Buddy Coming Home?: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child with the Loss of a Pet

Mommy, will I ever see Buddy again? How do we explain to our little ones that their beloved pets have gone home to be with the Lord? Do our loyal animal companions understand how deeply they are missed?   For children, the sudden loss of a precious pet can inspire difficult questions about life and death. How can we reassure mourning youngsters that our dearly departed pets have found everlasting peace? Gary Kurz, acclaimed author of Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates and Wagging Tails in Heaven , provides thoughtful guidance on soothing a child’s heartbreak after the passing of a beloved four-legged friend—affirming that through their unconditional love, every one of them has a unique place in heaven.   Sensitive and insightful, When Is Buddy Coming Home? reveals the power of faith in the wake of grief, uplifting animal lovers of all ages with the comfort that separation from our loved ones—including those with paws, tails, and wings—is only temporary.   Praise for Gary Kurz and Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates   “Wonderful, inspiring and comforting.” —Mary Buddemeyer-Porter, author of Will I See Fido in Heaven?   “A great comfort to me and all I am associated with.” —Terry Hickey, Founder, Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group Gary Kurz is a retired Coast Guard officer who served his country faithfully and honorably for over 30 years. He and his wife have a love for animals and a concern for others who share their love. He lives in Kansas. Visit his website at www.coldnosesbook.com. When is Buddy Coming Home A Parent 's Guide to Helping Your Child with the Loss of a Pet By GARY KURZ KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2017 Gary Kurz All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8065-3817-4 Contents Also By Gary Kurz, Title Page, Copyright Page, Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1 - "What is Death, Mommy?", Chapter 2 - "Is God Real, Mommy?", Chapter 3 - "Why Did God Let Buddy Die?", Chapter 4 - "Does God Love Buddy?", Chapter 5 - "Where Is Buddy Right Now?", Chapter 6 - "Will Buddy Ever Come Back?", Chapter 7 - "Did It Hurt Buddy To Die?", Chapter 8 - "Does Buddy Know That I Love Him and Miss Him?", Chapter 9 - "What Is Heaven Like, Mommy?", Chapter 10 - "Will I Ever Go To Heaven, Mommy?", Chapter 11 - Miscellaneous Questions, Chapter 12 - Preparing Your Child For The Loss Of Apet: Euthanasia, Chapter 13 - The Rainbow Bridge, Chapter 14 - Helping The Family Heal, Chapter 15 - Day 1 Devotional: Love, Chapter 16 - Day 2 Devotional: Joy, Chapter 17 - Day 3 Devotional: Peace, Chapter 18 - Day 4 Devotional: Long-Suffering, Chapter 19 - Day 5 Devotional: Gentleness, Chapter 20 - Day 6 Devotional: Goodness, Chapter 21 - Day 7 Devotional: Faith, Chapter 22 - Devotional Review and Summary, CHAPTER 1 "What is Death, Mommy?" Well, that is an easy question to answer, isn't it? Death is simply the termination of all biological functions that sustain a living organism, right? Try that on your child when they need compassion and comfort. Have your camera ready, though, because the facial expressions they make will probably be quite memorable. Seriously, this will probably be one of the toughest questions you will ever be asked by your child, and you need to be prepared with a good answer. Unfortunately, several factors can make this question potentially more difficult to respond to. For one, you may anticipate that your child will not ask you about death until someone known to the family has actually passed away. Don't kid yourself. Children are walking, talking question marks. They want to know about everything. And they are relentless in their quest for knowledge and understanding. The question about death might be prompted by something as simple as seeing a dead bird in the lawn or from watching a television program about hunting. But one thing we can be certain about: It will come when you least expect it. So, expect it! Another factor that could aggravate or complicate the question is a generational issue. Today's children are so overexposed to artificial and "play" death on video and online games, movies, and even seemingly harmless cartoons, that their concept of death may be considerably warped. At the lower end of the age scale, youngsters may view death as something temporary or reversible. All they have to do is hit the RESET button on their game and the hero is back in business. And in cartoons, characters who are squashed by falling rocks or pianos or who are blown up by invading aliens come back next week to do it all again. Adults know the difference between imaginary and real. That a difference exists, however, doesn't even occur to many younger children. For older children, they may understand the difference, but they are so overexposed to death and carnage in the media or in their video games that it just doesn't hold as much dread or impact for them as it does for us older people. From whatever the source, children usually are already a