Bloomfield Hills Vet's Book Helps Kids Cope With Pet Death

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – Any kid who’s ever lost a pet knows the crushing sense of loss and confusion when their beloved companion crosses the “rainbow bridge.”

Bloomfield Hills veterinarian Dr. Corey Gut, who practices at DePorre Veterinary Hospital, has written a book, “Being Brave for Bailey,” to help children understand what’s involved in pet euthanasia.

It’s a question Gut often gets as a veterinarian. But the book project actually started out as a way for Gut to help her niece, Lexie, cope when her family made the difficult decision to end their aging dog’s suffering from liver cancer, according to a website promoting the book.

Lexie’s mother is a classroom teacher, and she knew bibliotherapy — teaching children through reading a story — was a safe, non-threatening and loving way to help her daughter understand what was happening with Bailey.

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“The death of a family pet is often a child’s first experience with loss and parents need a tool to broach the sensitive subject, especially since they are grieving at this time as well,” the website says.

Another question veterinarians often get is how long a family should wait before replacing a pet, Gut told WWJ.

Gut consulted a licensed elementary counselor and therapist to create the award-winning story, and her mother, Jaime Myers, illustrated it, The Oakland Press reports.

Her goal now is to make it available to every library in the United States, so families have access to it when they’re confronted with a dying pet.

She has started a Kickstarter campaign as a vehicle for the purchase of books for donation to public libraries and schools across the country.

Here’s a synopsis of the book:

Bailey is a wonderful dog who has been a great companion to his family, including the littlest members. But as Bailey grows old and sick, his tail barely wags, he refuses to play, and he seems sad. Bailey’s veterinarian tells the family that since he is suffering, it’s time to do what is best for him, and now they must say goodbye.

As the children learn that it is okay to cry and remember the good times they have had with their pet, they are gently guided through the process of euthanasia and pet loss.

Being Brave for Bailey provides loving guidance, gentle support, and practical tools that help children understand and accept the death of a beloved pet.

Image credit: Photo via beingbraveforbailey.com