Explaining Loss

My parents watch my child every other weekend while I work. She loves it there. They had kittens born outside to a stray cat about 2 years ago. They found homes for all but 2.

The boy was perfect. He put up with everything my child did. He just wanted to be held like a baby.

Unfortunately, he and his sister grew up outside and they are used to going in at night and being out in the day.

Someone ran him down in the street. He is dead. He only had 2 years.

Tonight my child was talking about him. How he's a good kitty. How much he loves her. I broke. I just started crying. I told her that she wouldn't see him anymore. I told her he is at the rainbow bridge and he is watching over her and waiting for her.

I showed her pictures of my beloved cat who died when she was 4 months old. I told her he was taking care of her kitty.

She cried. I held her and we cried for a while.

My heart is broken and I am so mad at whoever took that joy from my child.

Did I do ok? What else could I have said? What does she understand? Why did the creature who loved her the most have to be taken from her?