Need a pet loss book for a 5 year old.

My friend's mother's dog just passed today. My friend's kids were very close to her. I'm thinking a book would be good for her 5 year old and maybe her 2 year old on some level too.

Do you know of any kids books on the issue? Or do you have some other suggestions on helping them understand? She didn't get sick till recently (kidney failure). They just found out this weekend themselves so no one had any time to prepare the kids. She was a great dog; those boys could play with her for hours, pull on her, lay on her...etc. Poor girl; I'm just glad it wasn't a long drawn out thing.

"Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant. If it's anything like "Cat Heaven", by the same author, I think it would be perfect.

Someone sent me "Cat Heaven" when one of my cats died eleven years ago. It was really wonderful, and perfect for little kids.

I don't know a good dog one, but a great cat one is "Desser, the best ever cat." by Maggie Smith. They talk about old age, illness, the loss and finding a place in the household for a new pet afterwards. It makes me cry, but I highly recommend it.

Maybe something like When Your Pet Dies by Victoria Ryan?

Thanks for the suggestions! Those look great! I passed them on to my friend. She said they tried to explain it to the 5 year old and he said "Mommy what are you talking about? She's at Grandmas!....Why are you crying?" Poor kiddo. She's going to look for one of those books. I think she may just have to talk to him about it a few times before they go there (which is usually ALL the time) and then again when they get there.