Saying goodbye to a pet: a story to read together

A short story for a big moment, in your child's own voice. Add names if you like and read it on screen, or print it as a little folded book. Use plain, true words like "died" and "stopped working", and make room for all feelings. Let your child say goodbye in their own way.

By Peabody editors. Something wrong? Tell us.

Read the story

Your child's name or nickname (optional)The grown-up's name (what your child calls them) (optional)The pet's name (optional)

Names stay in this browser on this device. They are filled in here, and nothing is sent anywhere.

Goodbye, my pet

Cover

To fold: print on one sheet of letter paper, landscape, cut along the middle line to the center, and fold. Or print and staple the pages as they are.

🕊️Goodbye, my petparent.peabody.kids

🐾

My pet was part of our family. We played together and we took care of my pet.

💔

Now my pet has died. That means my pet's body stopped working and cannot start again.

🫂

It is okay to feel sad, mad, or mixed up. My grown-up feels sad, too.

❓

I can ask any question I want. My grown-up will answer as best as my grown-up can.

🖼️

We can say goodbye in a way that fits us: a picture, a song, a story, or a flower.

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We can tell stories about the fun things we did with my pet. We will always remember.

💛

Love does not go away when someone dies. I can still love my pet, and I can hug my grown-up when I feel sad.