Have you ever lost a pet? It is devastating. I have shared about losing two of our cats: Simba and Pumpkin. It is so hard on us as adults, but it can be even harder on our children. I remember explaining to Hazel that Simba was going to heaven since he was so sick, and our vet was helping him. Hazel was two and a half at the time. She referred to our vet's office as heaven for a short time. When we got our next cat and it came time to take her to the vet, Hazel was scared the cat might not come back home and might go to heaven as well. It is hard to know what to tell kids when it comes to death and especially the death of a loved one including pets. Today I get to share with you a book to help kids with the death of a pet. It is Óg go Deo: Forever Young by Chainy Blue. There is also a giveaway at the end of the post.
About the Book:
Óg go Deo: Forever Young Written and Illustrated by Chainy BlueAges: 8-18 | 28 Pages | Publisher: Independently Published (2024) | ISBN: 979-8342247122
Publisher’s Book Summary: When a beloved pet passes away, the ache feels deeper than words can express – for both children and adults alike. In this gentle and compassionate story, readers will discover the beautiful truth about where our animal companions go when their physical bodies grow too tired to continue their earthly journey. With wisdom and tenderness, this book offers comfort to grieving hearts, helping readers understand that while our pets’ bodies may leave us, their spirits never truly fade away. Perfect for families navigating difficult conversations around pet loss, this story provides hope and healing, transforming tears of sadness into memories of joy.
A touching exploration of love, loss, and the eternal bonds we share with our animal friends.
Purchase Link:
From Me:
This book goes through a story of a family adopting a stray kitten and the kitten becomes part of the family. With the cat being the youngest's best friend and shadow, the cat is truly part of the family. Then the cat becomes older and sick. She stops eating. The vet, Big Dan, once again is called in and he makes a house call. He tells them that the cat was very lucky to have been brought to them by the postman because she wouldn't have survived. The cat survived because of their love and care. And now the cat needs love and care again to be made comfortable during her last time on earth. The mother tells the children about Óg go Deo. It is a spiritual world where the animal's guardian takes the spirit of the animal after their bodies die. The spirit guardian comes and stays with the animal when it is sick and dying and the animal can see it. The spirit of the animal goes gladly with its guardian to this magical place. There the animals live on forever and have adventures and fun. The people's spirits visit the animals when they die as well, so the family will be able to be with their cat once again. And only good people can go to Óg go Deo.
This book shares a lovely way to think about animals dying and having something special to go to and live. It is a wonderful tale for children and adults going through a time of having to say goodbye to that loved pet. It is well written. I love how the children of the family are such a big part of the story and how they do their best to care for their cat even in her time of need. It is a story about love, death and afterlife. It is the perfect book for a family going through the loss of a pet. It will help the families to talk about the loss and their feelings. I honestly wish I had this book to share with Hazel back when we said goodbye to Simba. The animal spirits go over a rainbow to get to Óg go Deo, so the rainbow bridge is still there as many tell the story of the rainbow bridge. It all fits together and will help the grieving parents explain a bit more about the loss of pets and hopefully help kids talk to their parents about their feelings over the loss. This book is a must for families going through this situation. I hope you will check it out. Oh, and it isn't just for kids. It will probably help some adults as they say goodbye to their beloved pets!
Giveaway:
Enter our giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy of Óg go Deo: Forever Young. Good luck!
Óg go Deo Forever Young: Book Giveaway
