Family and Friends Support

Although pet lovers can relate to the heartbreak, grieving the loss of a pet, as opposed to a human, is still a disenfranchised grief in today’s society.

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Comments like “It’s just a dog‚” or “Are you going to get another cat?” can feel hurtful and isolating.* 

After a loss, many times we just want our loss to be acknowledged. We don’t want to be fixed; we want our feelings to be heard. It helps us work through our feelings when we can share how deeply we loved the pet we lost.

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Any pet lover knows how hard it can be to process the death of a beloved pet.

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One of the most meaningful things you can do for a friend who recently lost their pet is to simply reach out. Let them know you’re thinking of them and their pet. This simple step can make the process of healing easier for them.**

There is a societal understanding of how we grieve for humans, even human relationships we aren’t super close to. There are obituaries, ceremonies, funerals, understood actions like sending flowers. But where do we look for how to handle a situation for pets?

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This guide is a collection of gifts we received with my own review of how it felt to receive them. I hope you find it helpful.