Children’s Book on Pet Loss Inspired by Author’s Dog, Wilbur

Lorna Vyse, a bereavement specialist residing in Norwich, has authored two children’s books addressing how to cope with the death of a pet, a project she undertook after experiencing the loss of her own dog. She initiated this endeavor due to her perception of a lack of support available to young people navigating this specific type of grief. Ms. Vyse held the belief that some children were shielded from discussions about the death of a pet, and she stated that the book aims to provide them with an “honest” understanding of loss and bereavement. The author possesses 30 years of experience in the field and has previously published a collection of books designed to support children following the loss of a parent. Wilbur, a labrador cross, was 11 years old when he passed away from a brain tumour. Ms. Vyse recounted that her family was “completely heartbroken” by the event and found “it was incredibly painful saying goodbye to him.” This experience served as the inspiration for Saying Goodbye to Wilbur, a narrative about a boy who adopts a dog that subsequently dies. Ms. Vyse has also released an accompanying workbook, Saying Goodbye: My Pet Memory Journal, which is intended to prompt children to reflect on the death of their pets. She commented, “I have always believed that children and young people [are] sheltered from conversations about illness, death and dying.” She added that this phenomenon occurs “even more so when it comes to pets.” Ms. Vyse further noted, “We always say ‘We are putting a pet to sleep’, and that is a confusing message for young people.” Ms. Vyse expressed her hope that children would gain “an honest and real understanding about what happens at the end of a pet’s life” after reading the book. Information regarding Norfolk news can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC states it is not responsible for the content of external sites and provides details on its approach to external linking.