All of the children were crying except my son who just stood there looking shocked. I told him that it was okay to cry and it is normal to feel sad. He has shown no signs of grief over the incident. He told me that he would have liked to see our dog after she died. Gayle Peterson, Ph.D. MSSW Gayle Peterson, MSSW, PhD is a family therapist specializing in prenatal and family development.
Children identify with their pets.
Losing the family dog is usually a traumatic event for a child. It can be akin to losing a best friend. But witnessing sudden, unexpected death of a loved family member is truly psychologically overwhelming for anyone, particularly a young child who has less developed psychological defenses. Your son's psychological numbness is a protective mechanism. The incident was indeed a shocking one for him and he has not yet recovered from the suddenness and magnitude of this loss.