When someone you love experiences the intense pain of pet loss, you want to help. It’s encoded into our very nature, to support those we love, to show we care.
The death of a pet is a unique loss. Many people report feeling more significant grief after the death of a pet, as compared to the death of a person in their life. This isn’t surprising to me, in the least. The relationships people have with their pets are completely unconditional and uncomplicated. Relationships with other humans can be intensely complicated and often feel quite conditional. The loving bond that people share with an important pet is immense and enduring. Pets punctuate every aspect of daily life, and their death often leaves a gaping hole in rhythmic daily routines, and the hearts of those who loved them.
What Pet Loss Sympathy Gifts Would Be Appreciated?
If you are looking for ways to support a friend after the death of their pet, you’re in the right place. Offering support to someone after pet loss isn’t complicated and I have ideas for how to show you care in a meaningful and thoughtful way. Read on.
Memorial gifts vs. Sympathy Gifts
In my last blog post (5 Myths About Comforting a Friend After Pet Loss), I mentioned this, but I would like to elaborate. Often, a gift giver will look for a pet memorial gift when a friend’s pet passes away. If you’re considering this option, I want to offer some insight. While the intention behind any gift is kind-hearted, I strongly encourage a different approach when it comes to pet loss. You see, memorialization of a beloved pet is part of a person’s grieving process. It’s a critical part of the grieving journey and it is deeply personal. Memorials need to occur when the grieving person is ready. Accepting a memorial, before the timing feels right, can leave a person feeling misunderstood and unsupported. If you do want to offer a gift that memorializes their beloved pet, consider offering it as an option in the future, not immediately following the loss.
Small Gestures, Big Impact
Recently, I found an insightful thread on Reddit. A woman asked if any specific sympathy gifts helped people after their pet died. The comments were very moving. One woman mentioned that anything and everything people offered (from a homemade coffee cake to flowers) helped her feel less alone. Another woman said that very few people acknowledged her loss but the ones who chose to offer her something had a huge impact in her grieving process. Many people in the discussion thread said that what was most important was that people showed support, it their own unique way. Pet loss is real loss. It requires support, caring, and love. When someone is grieving the loss of a pet, tending to simple, daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Having a friend step in with an offer to drop off food, do laundry, or clean the house is a godsend. You don’t have to find an elaborate gift to offer support and comfort. Simple things are often a balm for a broken heart. If you can help with household tasks, or prepared food, it alleviates unnecessary stress for the grieving person. When considering pet loss sympathy gifts, remember that small, practical gestures can make a big difference to your friend, helping them feel cared about and supported.
Memories Carry Us Through
As someone is grieving the loss of a pet, a journal can bring a lot of comfort and peace. You can gift a beautiful journal and even put together a list of journal prompts. Many people fear that they will forget precious memories of their pet as time passes. While memories are fresh, recording them in a journal can help someone feel close to the pet they have lost. This is an important part of the healing process.
The Right Words Can Help
If you’re searching for a gift for someone who loves to read, one of my favorite books of poetry, on the topic of dogs, is “All Dogs Are Good” by Courtney Peppernell. This book! The poems and memories shared by the author touch the heart of what our pets mean to us and the amazing lessons they offer us by simply existing and loving us in the process. I highly recommend this book, and it makes for an excellent sympathy gift for someone who has recently lost a dog companion.
Consistent Check-Ins Help
Many people who are deep in the grief of pet loss report feeling alone and unsupported. One way to address the need for validation and understanding is to offer small, consistent check-ins. You can do this through a phone call, a text, or a card in the mail. One word about phone calls: not everyone can talk about their loss, especially early on. If your call goes to voicemail, leave a message and know that they’ll listen to it when they’re ready. And allow them to reach out with a response in their own timeframe. Reaching out isn’t about getting a response, it’s about letting the person know they are on your mind and in your heart.
Essential Self-Care in Hard Times
If you desire to put together a care package to show your care and support, consider putting together a self-care package. You can put almost anything inside, but here are some specific ideas: calming tea, lavender sachet, bath salts or shower steamers, good chocolate, a favorite candy, under eye gel patches, cute tissues or a reusable handkerchief, a good book, a magazine, or a reusable heating shoulder wrap. One of the first things that is abandoned during intense periods of grief is self-care. Help your friend care for themselves by sending something that helps them refocus on simple actions that will help them through their difficult time.
We Make Supporting Your Friends Easy and Beautiful
As a thoughtful gift giver myself, I pride myself on finding truly unique gifts that speak directly to the heart of the recipient. I want everything, from receiving the box from UPS, opening it, and exploring what’s inside to be a flawless experience. And the gift itself needs to be truly amazing, and it must fit the individual needs of the person I am sending the gift to. As someone who deeply understands the pain of pet loss, I created the Biscuit & Bertie Comfort Box to tick all the boxes for a pet loss sympathy gift.
It arrives perfectly and beautifully packed, with your sympathy message lovingly hand-written on our letterpress cards. From the moment your friend opens the shipping box, they will feel enveloped in your loving care and supported for the grieving journey they are facing. The Comfort Box offers daily grief support cards that will gently guide your friend through their unique grieving process. To me, this is one of the best pet loss sympathy gifts you can offer. It’s thoughtful, helpful, meaningful, and gorgeous. Sending a Comfort Box offers a light during the darkest days after the death of a pet.
Here for you,
Annie
