Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (16 March 2007): Another thing...protecting Sister isn't helping her either. It's okay to feel upset, sad and is necessary to experience these feelings so we can know what it is to be happy, full of joy. Death is a part of this realm of exsistance. You can't prevent this knowledge, it is necessary as is learning how to cope and deal with loss.
Tell the truth. Be there for her.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (16 March 2007): Lying doesn't solve anything. It prevents and prolongs. How is this good? Even lying to a child...the child knows and the child learns to get used to mixed signals and teachings when they are lied to.
Tell the truth. Apologize. Offer to compensate or restitution. This is always the best course.
Be sincere in your apology and be remorseful. Do what you can to be of help to correct the wrong or mistake. Be a friend.
This is a good habit to develop and eventually integrity and honesty will be a part of your character.
Best Wishes.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (16 March 2007): I think you should buy a new one. Don't tell her, it's better she doesn't know and you won't get told off!!
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female
reader, Sexybum  +, writes (4 March 2007):
 yeah get another one it's for the best.... you will just have to live with your guilt for your
lil' sisters sake ;-)
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 March 2007): Hi thanks for everyones advice. Splogde is definately dead. We have a hoover where there isnt a hoover bag, everything goes in the middle of the hoover which is clear so u can see all the dust flying around. i got him out as soon as he went up the tube and he was definately dead. Ive decided to buy another hamster because my sis gets upset very easily. fingers crossed i find splodge 2. as for splodge 1 ... RIP :-(
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reader, anonymous, writes (2 March 2007): I bet he is still alive. My son had a one which used to get out of the cage, honestly, it opened the door and everything, so cute. But it got in the sink once among all the hot soapy water and it survived that. Try cleaning out the hoover and it may be in there alive. If you get another one and Splodge does appear, how will you explain that?? Once the hoover is cleaned out and he is proclaimed dead, then get another, please do not tell her, she is too young to take that.
Take care
xx
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female
reader, cd206 +, writes (1 March 2007):
 I reckon you just buy her a new one and don't say anything. Being honest will only help your own conscience and she's 11. I think her innocence has to be your priority. Don't beat yourself up about it though. It was an honest mistake!
CD
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male
reader, Ponungalungb  +, writes (1 March 2007):
 The fact that you sucked him up might not have killed him. Did you look in the sweeper bag to see if he may have survived the ordeal? I'd do that first. If he is no longer with the living, then I'd dispose him properly and then I'd buy her a new hamster and don't say anything. No sense in giving her any undue trauma if you can avoid it.
Check the bag.
Good luck!
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female
reader, chachacha +, writes (1 March 2007):
Depends how good you are at lying and how upset your sister will be.
You could pretend to know nothing about where the hamster went, and suggest he ran away?
You could tell the truth and offer to buy a new one.
How on earth did you get a whole hamster up the hoover anyway? Mine won't even pick up paper clips.
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female
reader, willywombat +, writes (1 March 2007):
 I suggest you remove 'splodge' fom the hoover before he starts to smell otherwise they may just guess......
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male
reader, kenny +, writes (1 March 2007):
 Arrrr poor thing.
I would go down to the local pet shop and get another one with the same colourings as the last one had. I shoulden't think she will be able to tell the difference.
If it was a dog or a cat i would most certainly say tell her, not that you could hoover up a dog or a cat. But on this one save your little sister from the upset, and let it be your little secret.
Good luck x
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female
reader, vina_101 +, writes (1 March 2007):
 I have to admit, this is a bit funny but....anyway if it was me I'd come clean and just break the sad news to her. And promise to do ANYTHING she asks of me to make it up to her. Sit her down and tell her the truth.
Or plan B, the dishonest way. Make up a lie that shifts the blame and the guilt off you by telling her poor little Splodge died of natural causes. Or say you let him out of his cage (or whatever you keep him in)to do the cleaning and say he scampered off and you spent ages trying to find him but in vain...he must have gone gone through the door out into the garden never to return. A tragic believable story that that doesn't sound as bad as you hoovering him up. And maybe when you're older you can tell her the truth and hopefully she'll see the funny side of it.
But that's just a suggestion. Go for plan A if honesty is your best policy.
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