Joy to complete desolation in just two days

It is indeed so sad for them.

Losing a pet is a big deal

Oh nls I am so sorry to read this. It is heartbreaking for the whole family, but particularly for a child to have to come to terms with the loss of a much loved pet. And in this case, just a kitten, poor little mite. Love to you all

I'm so sorry that she's lost her pet. It's heartbreaking for anyone, but especially for a child. I'm sure she will need your comforting since you very obviously have a close bond

One of the reasons I won't have cats anymore is the danger from traffic. At least they know what's happened to her. It's worse when they just disappear without trace.

Very sad. Plenty of love and hugs, but it's right to grieve for someone or something you love

As you say you will need all your skills and comforting. My GD had a huge disappointment yesterday and I was texting all last evening with loving and supportive messages. I am waiting today to hear if she feels any better this morning . Love to your GD.

Very, very sad for all the family. Could I suggest making a memory box for the cat . It does seem to help children come to terms . Any box with pretty paper or a photograph on top and put in things that remind her of her loved kitty xx

That's so sad! Our only cat was a house and garden cat only for those very reason. But I know most are free ranging.

I agree about a memory box , or a photo album or a little video ( very simple to make) . Our little ones always have a burial ( without a body for bigger pets) and the planning and such does seem to help them come to terms with the loss.

I also have to say that in a short while they're ready for a new pet , perhaps sooner than an adult might think.

Good luck Nanny- I'm sure you'll do great x

So sad - we lost a dog in a traffic accident when my sons were young and it's very hard for all the family. Can they bury the cat in the garden or have her/him cremated - the ashes come back in a lovely little casket (I have 2). It's important for your granddaughter to know it's ok for her to grieve over a pet - some people don't realise the huge bond animals and people have together.

So sad to lose a pet and even worse when there's a special bond with a child.

Oh that's just so sad. I don't know what happened previously but I am guessing this has been so much more significant for her because of it. A burial as suggested, so she can say a proper goodbye. Then perhaps a different pet? Hamster, guinea pig? If there is a road nearby, maybe not a good idea to get another cat. What a rotten time for her, bless her. When you lose a pet through old age, it's sad but it's the natural order of things. But when you lose one this way, it's so much harder to accept. You sound very kind and loving, so I'm sure you'll guide her through this.

Thank you all for your kindness, this is very sad because my two gds have had to say goodbye to two cats, both elderly fifteen and sixteen in the last two years, they are buried in the garden along with two Guinea pigs. Mr binx arrived at Christmas in a box, they were thrilled beyond words, daddy videoed his arrival, he had a special bond with gd1 who has difficulties, so this is very hard for her, indeed both of them. He is now buried in the garden with flowers. I just want to make it all right for them, I have had them three days a week since tiny babies, so mummy can go to work, so have very close bond, we have been talking today about time being healing, I just want to wave a magic wand, I think the memory box is a lovely idea.

annsixty just wanted to say hope your gd is feeling better today

Sadly my GD is not academic. She has had problems since the day she was born, which sounds over dramatic, but is a fact. She has had family difficulties and I like to think I have provided stability for her always. She has struggled for a year with a college course which was really beyond her and now she and her tutors have recognised this but not until she has wasted a year. She now is lost, she feels a failure and we are not convincing her that she isn't.
This idea of education until 18 for all is good on paper, the reality is that for non academic children it is a disaster.
Leaving school at 16 suited lots of children and they learned on the job. Now they waste 2years and some come out with no qualifications and are destined for a life of dead end jobs.

The same happened to our DGS, they had the lovely cat for only six months when it was run over. They bought a new cat just a few weeks later and DGS loves it, it made everything better.Children get over pets deaths faster ( maybe adults do as well) when a new pet appears.

How horrible Nanny Why aren't people more careful?

So sad for you, I remember when a visitor let our little dog out and he scarpered and got run over. The DC were devastated, as were we.

I think a new kitten in a few weeks' time would be a good idea, something to focus on and love.