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" />

xH should purchase a new pet for the babysitter. Give them a check for an appropriate amount (if the dog was a mutt, then amount for adoption of a new dog from shelter or if it is a pedigree then amount of a new puppy). Also, if it is just a mix breed along with the adoption amount, you could give a small donation in the dog's name to the humane society. That placed in a sweet "sorry for your loss" card would be appreciated.

My dog, old one a few years back which is now dead, was out in our front yard when a neighbors' dog (new one and very aggressive) ran out and tried to run at me. My dog bit in jugular and killed it almost instantly. We did that for the owners who were upset. But it was their dog who was out of place.

Thank you for the idea... I'll suggest that to exH!

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

Dang dbl posts!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

<small>[ January 10, 2003, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: Free2BMe ]</small>