Let the mourning begin. Ok, It’s over.

I posted yesterday about M’s ignored beloved pet frog, Fly, kicking the bucket. It was a pretty traumatic afternoon for both of us. She was so upset, which made me upset, which, in turn, made me doubt whether I should have told her or not. She bluntly informed me that I should NOT have, but I’m not quite sure she should be making that decision.

As yesterday afternoon went on, she was fine. Back to normal. Then she asked me if she could go to the toilet to try to hear Fly’s ribbit. Of course, once she went in, she started getting upset. “Why did you flush him down the toilet? He was a such a nice frog.” Great. “M, Mommy told you. I had to flush him to make sure that Hop and Slime didn’t get sick. He’s going to a very happy place with lots of other frogs.” “Really?” “Yes, really.”

“Mommy, is he going to a place with goldfish?”

“Yes, he is. When goldfish die, you have to flush them, too.”

“Right, frogs, goldfish and beavers get flushed down the toilet when they die.” Yes. Whatever she says, though I swear she was testing me here…

So, the rest of the day went on without incident. She paid no more attention to the remaining frog or to our cats than she usually does. But, come bedtime, she wanted to sleep with the cat. Cute. Then, she started getting upset about the frog. So, I explained to her that I knew how she felt, and that I’d lost pets that I loved before, too. I told her about our dogs, and how upset I was when they died.

“What happens to puppies when they die?”

Oh, shit. {Insert additional expletives here}

We talked. I have never been to puppy heaven, so I had to make some stuff up. It worked. She was finally able to get to sleep. When Joe got home I emphatically informed him that there are 2 tough conversations to have with kids. We’ll each take one. I did mine yesterday. Guess who’s talking to them about sex when the time comes?

Me? I’m feeling better because she is feeling better. She hasn’t mentioned it at all today. However, I can not use our downstairs toilet because I’m afraid of the frog. We’ve all heard the urban legends about monster alligators in the sewers. I’m convinced this frog is coming back for me, when and where I least expect it. Don’t even get me started about beavers that may have been flushed.

Related posts:

1. Rest in Peace, Fly
2. Do all dogs go to Heaven?
3. The dream that almost was.