"We Have to Drive to Heaven and Get Him!"

Three weeks ago we had our cat, Hunter, put down. He had an enlarged kidney, resulting in blood in his urine. He also peed EVERYWHERE, most likely because he was in pain. It was a very sad day because we had him for 8 years. We didn't mention it to our 3 year old. Finally, last night he realized that Hunter wasn't around. Here is the conversation that ensued:

Son: Hey! Where's Hunter?
{Silence. I tried to avoid the question. Doesn't work now that he's almost 3!}
Son: MOMMY! Where's Hunter?
Me: I don't know. Hey, look! Caillou's on TV.
Son: Maybe he's downstairs. {Jumps up to look.}
Me: No, honey, I think Hunter ran away. {For those of you who don't know, I'm a horrible liar. And, yes, I realize it's bad to lie to my son. I didn't want to tell him the truth! I still feel guilty myself.}
Son: Hey! Maybe he's on the sidewalk. {Runs to the window to check.}
Son: Mommy, he's not there!
Me: I think he's gone, honey. Let's watch Caillou.
Son: Let's go look for him outside!
Me: Honey, Hunter went to Heaven to live with God.
Son: He went to Heaven to live with God?
Me: Yes.
Son: WE HAVE TO GET IN THE CAR AND ZOOM REALLY FAST AND GET HIM!
Me: We can't drive to Heaven.
Son: NO! WE HAVE TO ZOOM REALLY FAST AND DRIVE TO HEAVEN AND GET HUNTER AND BRING HIM HOME!

At this point I called my husband who was at a dinner for work. They had just ordered dessert so I was on my own on this one. My son finally gave up looking for the cat for about twenty minutes. Then he remembered we hadn't yet located Hunter.

Son: Mommy, Hunter's not on the sidewalk!
Me: I know. He's in Heaven.
Son: We have to go get him and bring him home! Where is he Mommy?
Me: I don't know.

I gave up on the whole Heaven thing. The conversation went on for a little while. He finally forgot about it until this afternoon. Once again he asked about Hunter. Fortunately I was able to distract him with an offer of going to the wading pool when Daddy got home. Let's hope Hunter can rest in peace now!