This beautifully illustrated storybook by Katherine Pendergast and Lacie Brueckner with illustrations by Svetlana Urbanowicz in my opinion, is required reading for families with pets.

A time will come when you must say goodbye to a pet. Losing a member of your family is never easy and when it comes to a beloved pet, it’s especially hard for children. This book provides the perfect resource for sharing with kids the process pets go through as they reach the end of their life.

In this case, Bella the dog is older, and her family must soon say goodbye. But with fond memories of Bella in her youth and the support of friends, they find a way to honor her after her passing. The book ends on a hopeful note, which I will not spoil.

But I will offer one cautionary note: This is a very heartfelt, yet uplifting, story and if you’re like me, you’ll probably cry when you read it.