Last night my exH ran over and killed the babysitter's dog when he went to get our 8YO son after school. The dog got out of the house accidently when our son opened the door so he's very upset thinking it's his fault.

The kids (ours and the babysitter's) were outside trying to get the dog (L.T. after the Giants football player) when this happened so they all saw this very bloody, very traumatic event. The dogs head was literally crushed under exH's Expedition.

The kids were hysterical and the babysitter couldn't help matters. She was hysterical thinking her H was going to come home and kill her (figuatively speaking).

My exH feels bad for what happened and would like to do something for the kids... this has never happened before (thankfully) so we are at a loss.

I was thinking of getting a flat stone (like garden stones) for their yard with the dogs name and maybe say something like "always remembered".

Any other suggestions?

<img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" />

Oh MY, I don't know, what would be appropriate. your suggestions sounds like a nice gesture. I think I would ask if they would like something like this. It will be a constand daily reminder, and they may not want it. Other ideas, is a bush, or a donation to an animal shelter in memory of this pet.

<small>[ January 10, 2003, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Sue with hope ]</small>

Im so sorry. How tragic.

I think the donation to the animal shelter is the best idea. They may want to choose or make their own marker. Or they may not want the reminder.

Give your son an extra hug from me.
Dawn

Thanks for the replies... I think the shelter idea is great.

I just realized I started this thread twice! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I'm so sorry! My heart goes out to you and your babysitter's family in this time of loss.
May I suggest that you take the dog to the Veterinarian and have them creamate the dog - it will cost you $145 but it's well worth it - we have creamated both older dogs we had - they died with dignity as we had them put to sleep - please think on this. Also, there is a beautiful website dedicated to pets who "Cross the Rainbow Bridge" - both our precious doggies are memorialized forever there - it's free. Visit: www.in-memory-of-pets.org and read...
Our pets were Mr. Toby Ray & Miss Lottie Girl - they'll live forever on that website!
Peace and healing to you and your babysitter's family.
Harold

Horrible story. How awful for everyone. I love dogs, have two, as well as cats, have three.

Perhaps you could ask them if you could buy them another dog and pay for all of its initial shots. It can never really replace the one they lost, but it could soften the blow for the kids.

F2BM

I should have written that your first husband, who killed the dog, perhaps should offer to buy a new dog of the family's choice. I didn't mean to suggest you should feel any financial obligation to pay for a new pet. Just a bad situation. Sorry it happened.

If it were me and I had killed the dog, I would be wanting to do about anything to help.

What really pisses me off are people who run over animals and just drive off. I also have negative feelings for people who let their animals run loose, putting them at the mercy of busy roadways.

I drive about 30,000 miles per year as part of my job and I see all kinds of animals running loose.

This thread really tugs at my heart. I'm a really softy when it comes to pets.

I have a feeling that 'final expenses' for the dog have already been taken care of. Paying for that would be reasonable.

Paying for another pet and it's initial shots - all of them - and for neutering/spaying would be appropriate, also.

There is a book called "The Rainbow Bridge" that is wonderful - along with books called "Dog Heaven" and "cat Heaven". The last two are by Cynthia Rylant, for those of you who keep up with children's books.