Forever Friend

What it is

When a dog, cat, bunny, fish, or any pet dies, it is often a child's first big loss. Forever Friend gives kids a place to remember their pet, name their feelings, ask their questions, and say goodbye in their own way. Kids can draw or write on every page, so it works for little ones who aren't writing yet and for older kids too. Pages say "my pet" and "they," so it fits any animal. It's gentle and not religious, so it works for every family.

What's included

• Cover with a space to draw or tape in a photo of your pet
• My Forever Friend: name, nicknames, dates, "my pet was a..." (dog, cat, bunny, hamster, bird, fish, turtle, or other), and three words that describe them
• All About My Pet: favorite food, nap spot, toy, funniest moment, how they showed love, and more
• Favorite Memories: three draw-it or write-it memory boxes
• All My Feelings: color the feelings you have, a "feelings come and go like waves" note, and a draw-a-face week tracker
• When the Sad Comes: 9 picture ideas that help, plus grown-ups I can tell
• Questions I Have: space for questions like "Why did my pet die?" and what I found out
• When I Miss Them Most: a plan for the times of day that feel different now (waking up, coming home, food time, walk time, bedtime)
• A Letter to My Pet, with sentence starters
• Our Goodbye: plan a small goodbye, any time, even weeks later
• Ways I'll Remember: plant a flower, keep their collar, help a shelter, and more
• Keepsake page: their paw print (or wing, fin, or shell) next to your child's handprint, ready to frame
• 3-page grown-up guide: honest words to use instead of "went to sleep," how to explain death to young kids, clearing up blame, including kids in a goodbye, going slow on a new pet, and when to get more help
• Bonus printer-friendly version (low ink)

Great for