Under the mango tree: a story to help with pet loss

Losing a family pet is very hard to process, especially for kids. We look at a book that can help children understand their feelings.

Pet loss is a tough topic to broach with your little one. Like many other big concepts, an age appropriate story can be a good tool for children and ‘Under the Mango Tree’ is a new book created with this in mind. Written by Robyn Fok, the founder of UAE’s leading natural dog care brand, Rory’s Apawthecary, it is a touching story based on the grieving process of losing a beloved pet, that helps kids understand their grief.

Loss and love

An uplifting and heart-warming tale, ‘Under the Mango Tree’ is brightly illustrated and has universally moving themes, grappling with the deep and often spiritual message of death and grief, and breaking it down so that children can understand. While the book addresses pet loss, the same concepts can be applied to all forms of grief.

The tale follows a journey of bereavement that begins with grief and confusion but eventually leads to a freeing realisation that those who pass away do not simply disappear – their memories live on in the hearts of those who love and care for them forever.

Finding peace

‘Under the Mango Tree’ is inspired by Fok’s dearest companion, Rory, an American Cocker Spaniel who, after passing away in August of 2022, now lays at rest under a mango tree. Fok hopes to provide solace to others, particularly children, coping with loss. “I have written this book as a way to help others who have experienced loss to feel loved and supported”, she comments. “As I worked through these tough emotions myself when Rory passed away, I realised that many adults and children have also gone through the same difficulties when they too lost their furry family members. It is a natural part of pet ownership and I hope that this book can support others, especially little ones, in their process of finding peace and light in a time of darkness”.

Guidance and help

She feels that while both human and pet loss are valid and difficult, people who experience pet loss often do not get the support they need from their community and society when their pet passes away. Recovering from pet loss requires help and consideration too, and she hopes this story aids parents in guiding their children through the death of much-loved animals.

Along with the release of the book ‘Under the Mango Tree’, Rory’s Apawthecary has also dedicated a section on the company’s website dedicated to offering support to pet parents and their families in the difficult topic of pet loss. The page offers healthy grieving strategies and post-pet loss logistics assistance; the first of its kind in the UAE.

‘Under the Mango Tree’ is available in hardback and ebook versions on all major book platforms globally, including Amazon worldwide, Book Depository and Barnes and Noble.

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