Unconditional Love Between Pets and Children

The death of a family pet may be the most traumatic loss your children face. Young children develop very strong and deep feelings about the animals in their lives. They may think of them as siblings, companions, playmates and protectors.

Unconditional Love Exists Between Pets and Children

A few years ago, I was writing an article on resilient children called "Be A Bounce Back KId." as part of the research I interviewed a dozen 5th grade and younger children about what they did to bounce back from a disappointment or a particularly bad time in their lives.

I was very surprised to find that the number one comfort for the kids was pets and animals. Those who had live pets in their lives or neighborhood would go to them for comfort and companionship. Those that did not have live pets, had a stuffed animal which represented comfort for them.

Many expressed the belief that the animals loved them unconditionally. It did not matter if they got a D in school or wasn't chosen for the school play. Their dog was happy to see them anyway. Laughing and playing with the pet helped them to bounce back from the bad day.

Common Concerns of Children Around the Loss of a Pet


Was it my fault for not feeding him last week?
Will he come back?
Where did he go?
Where is he right now (May want to see the body or find out where it is)
If I get sick, will you have the doctor give me a shot to make me die?
What if I go to sleep and don't wake up?
What if I forget him?
Why did God want him, he was our dog.

Parents and Other Caring Adults Teach Coping Skills

Our tendency is to try to protect small children from the harsh realities of life. However, by not acknowledging our own mourning and sadness, the child may feel less inclined to share his concerns and feelings.

They may need you to show them how to verbalize their feelings. Perhaps you can do something together that will help your child work through the emotions of grief. and remember the happy times. A good idea that has worked for others is to plant a flower, write a letter or draw a picture of playing with the pet.

You are invited to go to http://www.deathofmypet.com for more information on helping children cope with losing a pet or other death in the family. You will find specific ages and stages of understanding of children.

(c) Judy H. Wright http://www.ArtichokePress.com You have permission to reprint this article in your blog, ezine or offline magazine as long as you keep the content and contact information intact. Thank You.

The Magic Between Animals and Autistic Children

There is a special magic between autistic children and animals. I have personally witnessed what happens when an autistic child touches or holds an animal for the first time. This experience becomes even more special when the child has a pet of his/her own.

There are many varieties of pets suitable for children, but it may be best to wait until the child is older to consider ownership. The child should be old enough to act responsibly toward the animal of choice. Eight or nine years old seems to be the time to seriously consider pet ownership. The reasons for this is that very young children want to squeeze too tight when holding small pets and can injure or even kill their cherished companion. Also, it is best to wait until they are able to care for their pet. Assuming responsibility for feeding, watering, and bathing their pet can be overwhelming. Also cleaning the cage or bed is a big responsibility and even though it can be a great teaching process, the child may lose interest and neglect their charge. It is best to speak to the child about his responsibilities toward the care of the animal before it comes to live in the home.

Choosing a suitable pet for your autistic child can be quite a screening process. First, it must be the right size for the environment. Consideration should be given to the temperament of the animal. Sometimes children display rough treatment and a small dog, for instance, might tend to become defensive and bite the child. A pet should be healthy and have the appropriate shots to counter disease. Last, but not least, the child probably has in mind what kind of pet he/she wants. Accommodate them if it is feasible.

Our grandchildren chose to have house rabbits. They were purchased when the animals were very young. One is named Coconut and one is named Ben. Ben was named Lola until it was discovered he was not a female. Rabbits make wonderful pets.

They are not noisy, they take very little care, and they are very cuddly and enjoy being carried around and loved. Their sharp teeth can be a problem unless care is given to provide objects they can nibble on. Even then, sometimes they nip at the child. They enjoy hopping around the backyard, playing and nibbling the grass. The exposure to sun and fresh air keep them healthy.

If your circumstances will not allow owning a pet, there are many places to take your children to be around animals. Zoos provide an atmosphere where children can observe animals and not touch them. There are petting zoos, where the children can go in the pens with animals and pet them, feed them and play with them. Riding academies provide horseback riding. Autistic children do not like to have their feet leave the ground, so this may not be accepted right away. A gradual introduction to these types of animal adventures is a good idea, as many children are hesitant and fearful at first. Several visits may be required before the child warms up to the animals and feels safe around them. Be patient and participate in the experience. Your child will benefit positively from the association with warm and friendly animals. Communicate with your child even if it is not positive and enjoy the magic.

Meredith is a retired small business owner and has enjoyed retirement for a few years. She recently came out of retirement to develop an on-line affiliate business to earn money for a special project to help restore old historical cemeteries that are in ruin. The Data Connection will provide the monetary funds needed for this worthy endeavor. On-line affiliate marketing fits right into her stay-at-home lifestyle. While she enjoys writing, the rest of the business will not come so easy. The article marketing concept is strongly emphasized in the approach she is taking. She believes strongly that this will result in establishing a business with a firm foundation.

Her blog can be accessed at: http://aboutautismandmore.blogspot.com

Building a Good Relationship Between Pets and Children

There is nothing like the visualization of a family with children, and of course the good old reliable family pet. Pets provide a great value in a child's life. When a child is taught to take care of a pet properly they actually learn some important life skills. First they learn the responsibility it takes to looking after their pet properly. Then they learn to be observant as their pet can't tell them what is wrong so they need to rely on their observations. Then it teaches them some basics about love being a give and take part of life. It teaches them kindness.

Now these are all the things that owning a pet can teach a child, but unfortunately these are all attributes that must be learned and do not come naturally to the little pet owner with the exception of love perhaps.

We as parents have the responsibility to both pet and child to see that they build a good relationship between each other. If the youngster is taught the proper care and handling of their pet they will be rewarded with many years of companionship and love from their pet.

It all begins with teaching the child the can and cant's with their pet. Kids tend to be a little rough with their pets simply because they want to play with them. They don't realize that some of their rough actions can hurt their pet. Often when this happens the pet is then reluctant to form a bond with the child and the youngster doesn't understand why. No matter what type of pet your child has teach them the safety play factors that their pet needs. A dog can be played with much differently than a hamster, for example. Make it a project for the child to learn what is safe and not safe when it comes to pet handling.

The next responsibility for the child pet owner is to meet the needs of their pet. This means a clean living environment, proper food and exercise. These are all responsibilities that the pet owner must meet in order to keep the pet happy and healthy. Kids then to forget about these needs but if you explain the importance of each of them and how uncomfortable it is for the pet when the youngster doesn't look after it then this is often enough to keep the kids on track.

Train your child how to be observant on how their pet reacts. This way they will learn to know when something may not be right with their pet and they can bring it to your attention. As a parent you may be tuned into what is going on with the family dog, but not so intent on what is happening with the child's hamster. Yet to your youngster that hamster is just as important as the family dog.

It's the little things that count in a child and a pet's life. Be sure to increase your pet knowledge by paying a visit to http://www.shadesgang.com and to address some real animal concerns then visit http://www.pet2pets.com.

Building a Good Relationship Between Pets and Children

There is nothing like the visualization of a family with children, and of course the good old reliable family pet. Pets provide a great value in a child's life. When a child is taught to take care of a pet properly they actually learn some important life skills. First they learn the responsibility it takes to looking after their pet properly. Then they learn to be observant as their pet can't tell them what is wrong so they need to rely on their observations. Then it teaches them some basics about love being a give and take part of life. It teaches them kindness.

Now these are all the things that owning a pet can teach a child, but unfortunately these are all attributes that must be learned and do not come naturally to the little pet owner with the exception of love perhaps.

We as parents have the responsibility to both pet and child to see that they build a good relationship between each other. If the youngster is taught the proper care and handling of their pet they will be rewarded with many years of companionship and love from their pet.

It all begins with teaching the child the can and cant's with their pet. Kids tend to be a little rough with their pets simply because they want to play with them. They don't realize that some of their rough actions can hurt their pet. Often when this happens the pet is then reluctant to form a bond with the child and the youngster doesn't understand why. No matter what type of pet your child has teach them the safety play factors that their pet needs. A dog can be played with much differently than a hamster, for example. Make it a project for the child to learn what is safe and not safe when it comes to pet handling.

The next responsibility for the child pet owner is to meet the needs of their pet. This means a clean living environment, proper food and exercise. These are all responsibilities that the pet owner must meet in order to keep the pet happy and healthy. Kids then to forget about these needs but if you explain the importance of each of them and how uncomfortable it is for the pet when the youngster doesn't look after it then this is often enough to keep the kids on track.

Train your child how to be observant on how their pet reacts. This way they will learn to know when something may not be right with their pet and they can bring it to your attention. As a parent you may be tuned into what is going on with the family dog, but not so intent on what is happening with the child's hamster. Yet to your youngster that hamster is just as important as the family dog.

It's the little things that count in a child and a pet's life. Be sure to increase your pet knowledge by paying a visit to http://www.shadesgang.com and to address some real animal concerns then visit http://www.pet2pets.com.

The Magic Between Animals and Autistic Children

There is a special magic between autistic children and animals. I have personally witnessed what happens when an autistic child touches or holds an animal for the first time. This experience becomes even more special when the child has a pet of his/her own.

There are many varieties of pets suitable for children, but it may be best to wait until the child is older to consider ownership. The child should be old enough to act responsibly toward the animal of choice. Eight or nine years old seems to be the time to seriously consider pet ownership. The reasons for this is that very young children want to squeeze too tight when holding small pets and can injure or even kill their cherished companion. Also, it is best to wait until they are able to care for their pet. Assuming responsibility for feeding, watering, and bathing their pet can be overwhelming. Also cleaning the cage or bed is a big responsibility and even though it can be a great teaching process, the child may lose interest and neglect their charge. It is best to speak to the child about his responsibilities toward the care of the animal before it comes to live in the home.

Choosing a suitable pet for your autistic child can be quite a screening process. First, it must be the right size for the environment. Consideration should be given to the temperament of the animal. Sometimes children display rough treatment and a small dog, for instance, might tend to become defensive and bite the child. A pet should be healthy and have the appropriate shots to counter disease. Last, but not least, the child probably has in mind what kind of pet he/she wants. Accommodate them if it is feasible.

Our grandchildren chose to have house rabbits. They were purchased when the animals were very young. One is named Coconut and one is named Ben. Ben was named Lola until it was discovered he was not a female. Rabbits make wonderful pets.

They are not noisy, they take very little care, and they are very cuddly and enjoy being carried around and loved. Their sharp teeth can be a problem unless care is given to provide objects they can nibble on. Even then, sometimes they nip at the child. They enjoy hopping around the backyard, playing and nibbling the grass. The exposure to sun and fresh air keep them healthy.

If your circumstances will not allow owning a pet, there are many places to take your children to be around animals. Zoos provide an atmosphere where children can observe animals and not touch them. There are petting zoos, where the children can go in the pens with animals and pet them, feed them and play with them. Riding academies provide horseback riding. Autistic children do not like to have their feet leave the ground, so this may not be accepted right away. A gradual introduction to these types of animal adventures is a good idea, as many children are hesitant and fearful at first. Several visits may be required before the child warms up to the animals and feels safe around them. Be patient and participate in the experience. Your child will benefit positively from the association with warm and friendly animals. Communicate with your child even if it is not positive and enjoy the magic.

Meredith is a retired small business owner and has enjoyed retirement for a few years. She recently came out of retirement to develop an on-line affiliate business to earn money for a special project to help restore old historical cemeteries that are in ruin. The Data Connection will provide the monetary funds needed for this worthy endeavor. On-line affiliate marketing fits right into her stay-at-home lifestyle. While she enjoys writing, the rest of the business will not come so easy. The article marketing concept is strongly emphasized in the approach she is taking. She believes strongly that this will result in establishing a business with a firm foundation.

Her blog can be accessed at: http://aboutautismandmore.blogspot.com