When a marriage breaks up and a divorce occurs children have to adjust to a lot of changes. Sometimes it means moving to another place to live or living in two homes. It also means many children have to give up a pet.
If the primary parent has to move to a smaller place or an apartment, the family pet may not be allowed. Even if it is a co-parenting situation, then a child may have to leave their pet behind on the week they go to live with the other parent.
Children get attached to their pets and kids of divorce get even more attached when they experience the break up of their family. I’ve had kids tell me their pet becomes their constant companion. They will talk to their pet and share their deepest thoughts with their pet. They also like talking about their pets. I’ve even had kids request prayer for their pets.
Most of us when we think about pets think about a dog, cat, bunny or maybe a caged bird. When children of divorce have to give up their primary pet, many will settle for some type of critter, like a guinea pig, hamster or some other small critter. These critters become just as important to them as a dog or cat. The smaller critters are small enough that they can travel back and forth between homes.