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Children's book on pet loss inspired by Wilbur

Lorna Vyse Lorna Vyse and Wilbur. They are both looking at the camera. Lorna is smiling and wearing sunglasses and a red scarf. Wilbur has his mouth open, and his ears are alertLorna Vyse
Lorna Vyse's dog, Wilbur, died aged 11 earlier this year

A bereavement specialist has written a pair of children's books about how to cope with the death of a pet after she lost her own dog.

Lorna Vyse, from Norwich, started the project because she felt there was a lack of help supporting young people through this type of grief.

She believed some children were sheltered from conversations about the death of a pet, and said the book attempted to give them an "honest" understanding about loss and bereavement.

The author has 30 years' experience in the field and has previously released a collection of books to support children after the loss of a parent.

Lorna Vyse Wilbur, a black labrador cross, lounging on a brown leather armchair, with one leg flopping over the side. He is looking at the cameraLorna Vyse
Wilbur died at home in May, aged 11

Wilbur, a labrador cross, was 11 when he died of a brain tumour.

Ms Vyse said her family was "completely heartbroken" when it happened and "it was incredibly painful saying goodbye to him".

It inspired Saying Goodbye to Wilbur, a story about a boy who adopts a dog that then dies.

Ms Vyse has also released an accompanying workbook, Saying Goodbye: My Pet Memory Journal, aimed at prompting children to reflect on the death of their pets.

Lorna Vyse Lorna Vyse smiling at the camera. There is a field in the background. She is wearing glasses and a red fleece jacket with "Berghaus" branding on itLorna Vyse
Lorna Vyse wrote the book because she felt there was a lack support for children dealing with grief

"I have always believed that children and young people [are] sheltered from conversations about illness, death and dying," she said.

It happened "even more so when it comes to pets".

She added: "We always say 'We are putting a pet to sleep', and that is a confusing message for young people."

Ms Vyse said she hoped children would get "an honest and real understanding about what happens at the end of a pet’s life" after reading the book.

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