Thank you all so much for your kind words.

Dachlostar - thanks for the thread, it makes good sense and I totally agree with not telling them he went to sleep.

mrsmac - I hadn't thought about the plant/tree, but a fabulous idea which will do this weekend.

I did the explanation about being old and going to heaven in the sky and she looked out the window and said "I can't see him, where is he". I told her that he can only be seen at night when the stars are out and she can go out tonight and wave to him. She was very happy with the explanation and told me she would miss him. He was taken away today to be cremated and his ashes will be returned in a lovely rose wood box with a his name engraved on it - he will take pride of place on the bookshelf!

Again, thanks for all the advice and now I know why I joined BB - you guys are fantastic!