Helping Friends As They Face the Loss of a Pet
When their heart is breaking
It can be quite uncomfortable when you are faced with a friend who is crying over the loss of a pet. You want to say something to ease their pain. But what?
Providing words of comfort can mean so much. However, saying the wrong thing could alienate your friend and damage your friendship.
Need additional resources?
We have multiple articles available to aid you in your grief journey.
tips that may help you to help your friend who is grieving
If you wouldn’t say it about a child, don’t say it about a pet
For example, “you can get another pet” is a common phrase that will be said to the grieving pet parent. No one would ever tell a parent who had just lost a child that they can get another son or daughter. For many pet parents, their pets are their children and the death is devastating.
Is it true but not helpful?
Always remember this phrase before making a comment. Telling someone that it is good that their other cat is still alive may be true, but it is not helpful as they grieve.
You don’t know how they feel
A common statement that many people make is “I know how you feel”. You may know what it feels like to lose a beloved pet but you don’t know how they feel about this specific loss.