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Zubby, home

When a pet has died

A short cartoon about missing a pet and saying so, starring your child. Watch it together at a calm time, then talk.

Try a story beginning

An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.

Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.

Illustration, made with AI: a girl draws a cat chasing a string while her mum sits close beside her, a framed photo and a collar with a bell on a shelf behind them, and a glowing firefly lights the drawing.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Mia (6) sits at the table with a sheet of paper. Her cat, Pepper, died. "Will she come back?" Mia asks. Mum sits beside her. "No. Pepper died, so she can't come back. I miss her too." Mia is quiet. Mum brings crayons. Mia draws Pepper chasing a string. "She loved that game." Mum listens to the story of the game. They look at the drawing together, and they feel sad together.

The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.

What happens in the story

In the example above:

  • Mia asks the question plainly: will Pepper come back?
  • Mum answers just as plainly: Pepper died, so she can't come back. She says she misses her too.
  • Mia draws Pepper's favourite game, and Mum listens to the story.
  • They are sad together. Nobody hurries.
Try a story beginning

Talk-after card

Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.

  1. What did Mia ask Mum? What did Mum say?
  2. What did Mia draw? What was Pepper's favourite game?
  3. Would you like to draw, tell a story about Pepper, or just sit together? You choose.

Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behaviour, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.
  • A cartoon can't take the sadness away, and it doesn't try to. Tell Zubby the words your family uses.
  • Research on preparing children for changes at home is thin. This story is one way to start the talk.
  • Every family has its own pace.
  • Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
  • Zubby is a family storytelling tool, not a medical, therapeutic or educational treatment. Zubby cartoons have not been tested in studies.