I was livid when my dog died while I was at college and my parents didn't tell me until a week after it happened. He was MY dog.

My cat is my one true soul mate at this point in my life. She is the most loyal companion I've ever had. We cuddle and hang out and even "chat" with each other all the time. She's the GREATEST partner I could have ever asked for. So I understand anyone's attachment to their pet.

A pet might be a pet, but it's a living creature, and bonds can be formed between humans and pets that far transcend the bonds we make between humans.

Anyone who says "it's just a dog" or "it's just a pet" has no idea what they are talking about. I hate that mentality.

Tell you parents how you feel, but don't do it in a letter. They are your parents, for God's sake, not a boyfriend you've broken up with. Just be honest without being angry or without attacking them.

Say something like, "This is over now, and there's nothing that can be done about it, and you'll probably think I'm over-reacting because to you it was just a dog, but I just want to say that I was really hurt that you didn't tell me that [insert pet's name here] died, and he wasn't buried with the other pets in the back yard. I'm not trying to attack you; I just want you to know how I feel about this. I was really hurt."

That's how I would handle it anyway. Honesty and directness always.