We called him "Acer" for his short name. That was a tough loss for the entire family when passed.
But having pets and losing them is important for kids in the growing process, learning how to grieve is not something that most parents want their children to have to do, but it can certainly be helpful later on in life.
Shortie had a really tough time when the guinea pigs passed back a couple of years ago because those were her pets and she had raised them.