5 Gift Ideas For A Friend Mourning A Pet

These are some wonderful ways to comfort someone who has lost a dog.

Those of us with pets know that we love our furry little friends like they are members of our own family – sometimes even more. We also know that, because of this, losing a pet is an incredibly hard experience to have to go through.

Though there are plenty of social conventions and practises that take place when someone loses a human family member, when it is a pet that has passed away it can often be hard to find ways to help out.

If a friend of yours has recently had to cope with with the loss of a pet, here are some ideas for how you can help:

Food: When dealing with the loss of a close friend, and ultimate snuggle buddy, getting yourself to take part in your daily routine can be incredibly hard. Bring your friend some prepared meals, or a few frozen dinners, and you’ll know that at least you’re helping to get one thing off of their plate during this difficult time.

: Food: When dealing with the loss of a close friend, and ultimate snuggle buddy, getting yourself to take part in your daily routine can be incredibly hard. Bring your friend some prepared meals, or a few frozen dinners, and you’ll know that at least you’re helping to get one thing off of their plate during this difficult time.

: A Unique Card: It can be hard to put into words the feelings of losing a pet – often you feel a bit silly for the extreme sense of sadness when it’s “only a dog” – but those feelings should be acknowledged. Luckily, Etsy has plenty of beautiful, hand-made cards with loving sympathy messages that will show your friend that you understand what they’re going through.

: Donation to a Shelter: This is an especially good option if your friend originally got their pet through a shelter. Local animal shelters are hard work, underfunded and very expensive to keep up – and in too many cases, animals are put down when the shelter can no longer afford to look after them. Making a donation to a shelter (though preferably one with a no-kill policy) will make a world of difference not only to your friend, but also to your community.

: Engraved Jewelry: There are so many options with engraved jewelry – from a touching quote, like the one pictured above, to a simple name and date engraved on a bracelet or ring. This will allow your friend to keep the memory of their pet, and of your friendship and support, with them all day.

: Framed Photo: While many of us sit with framed photos of our families at our desks, for some reason our pets are often left out. Because your friend has just recently lost their pet – they probably don’t keep framed photos of them around the house or office. If you have one you’ve taken yourself, or can grab a favourite from online, get it framed and gift it to your friend – they’ll treasure it forever. In the end, no matter what you end up getting your friend – even if it is just a quick phone call or a hug, they will appreciate your love and support during this difficult experience. The most important thing is that you’re there for them.