To Tell The Truth or Make A Fantastic Lie?

Which should I do? I’m completely torn. I’m a terribly truthful person but I’m in a quandary as to what I should do at this very moment. I just discovered Cabbage Patch’s gerbil quite dead. EWWWW! Now I’m not certain if I should tell her and let my tiny 5 year old experience grief for the first time or if I should concoct a fabulous tale and have K purchase a replacement Spike.

Internet if I ever needed you it’s RIGHT NOW! Give me your input! I have until 4 pm to decide what to do about this dead gerbil problem. Do I tell her Spike has gone to the big running wheel in the sky or do I tell her that her daddy took Spike to the vet for a check up?