"I know you miss your loyal and beautiful companion." "It is hard to say goodbye to such a special companion." "My thoughts are with you at this time of loss." "May fond memories of your beloved pet warm your heart always."
Offer condolences for the loss of their pet and a kind, hopeful wish. Pets are like family and losing them is so hard. Sending prayers for comfort your way. It's just not fair that pets don't live longer.
It is losing a best friend or beloved family member, so you definitely don't want to go the "it's just a pet" route. That's one of the worst things you can say to someone grieving a pet, along with phrases like, "There will be other dogs/cats." It's insensitive and borderline cruel to someone experiencing a great loss.
If you've lost a pet, chances are you've heard of the Rainbow Bridge. This bridge is a mythical overpass said to connect heaven and Earth — and, more to the point, a spot where grieving pet owners reunite for good with their departed furry friends.
Why Pet Loss Hurts. “One reason why losing a pet is such a deep loss is because animals' love is so unconditional and accepting,” she said. But it's also because so many aspects of people's lives are impacted. “Every single facet of life is part of the loss,” she explained.
“A companion is gone … but the memory lives on.” “The most difficult thing about having a dog is the goodbye.” “Grief is not a sign of weakness, but the price of love.” “If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives, dogs would outlive us all.”
write a goodbye letter and bury it with them. write a poem or short story talking about your life with them. share your loss with others who have been through it. become a volunteer and help others through their pet loss.
Losing a cherished dog can feel especially devastating to people with a history of trauma or adverse early life experiences because they relied on their dog as a protector, safe companion, and confidante. Others may view their dog as a surrogate child, and losing that treasured connection can feel especially painful.
Psychologist Julie Axelrod has pointed out that the loss of a dog is so painful because owners aren't just losing the pet. It could mean the loss of a source of unconditional love, a primary companion who provides security and comfort, and maybe even a protégé that's been mentored like a child.
Acknowledge your grief, and give yourself permission to express it. Allow yourself to cry. If you live alone, the silence in your home might feel deafening but acknowledging it will allow you to prepare for the emotions you might feel. Suppressing your feelings of sadness can prolong your grief.
The pets that we had to say goodbye to are alive in heaven right now in their spiritual bodies and we will see them again if we accept Jesus as our Savior. Your Pet Is Not Gone Forever.
Here are some examples of what not to say when a pet dies: "Don't cry." Crying is part of the grieving process for many people. "It's just a [dog/cat/etc.]." A comment like this that downplays the loss is mean and thoughtless. You don't know what the pet meant to that person.
Some people find grief following the loss of a pet comes in stages, where they experience different feelings such as denial, anger, guilt, depression, and eventually acceptance and resolution. Others find that their grief is more cyclical, coming in waves, or a series of highs and lows.
In such circumstances, some pet carers find that they experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a long time after the loss of their companion.
Symptoms of acute grief after the loss of a pet can last from one to two months, with symptoms of grief persisting up to a full year (on average).
Choosing to stay with your pet during euthanasia is best because it alleviates their stress. Having you present reduces the anxiety and fear they may experience at the end of life. The process of dying can trigger anxiety in a pet. Having their loved one near relieves some of their discomfort.
Signs Your Dog May Be Ready to Say Goodbye
Labored breathing. Lack of appetite. Lack of Mobility or Extreme Lethargy. Crying or intense whining.
Even when made with the most compassionate of intentions, it's quite natural to feel a certain degree of guilt. These feelings are a testament to the degree of love and devotion we felt towards our pet. On some level, it can even be beneficial as it is a normal part of the grieving process.
Answer: Fortunately for us, dogs do not understand they are going to be put down and what happens after they are given the injection that puts them to sleep.