Whether you own a cat, dog, bird, or any other animal, the last thing you want to think about is the day when your beloved pet is no longer around. The same holds true for your friends, and you may have often wondered what to say to family members or friends who have recently lost their beloved pet.
While there is nothing you can say to make it better, here are a few quotes and ideas that may help.
The 9 Ideas and Quotes to Say When Someone Loses a Pet
1. “Hey, Remember that Time…”
Helping the bereaved to go down memory lane can sometimes help when it comes to losing a pet. You can ask them if they are willing to share stories and memories of their beloved pet and provide them with some of your pet stories.
These stories could be anything, from the dog stealing a hamburger off the kitchen table to the cat making a mess in the bathroom. The point is to help your friend remember their deceased pet fondly and start the healing process together. While the memories might be bittersweet, the smile on their faces while telling them will help them heal.
2. “I’m Here If You Want to Talk”
Sometimes you can only let your friend or family member know you’re there if they want to talk. While some people who have lost a pet feel better when talking about it and sharing stories, others prefer to grieve alone.
Many pet owners prefer to distract themselves from the tragedy. As a friend, you need to respect their wishes and let them know you’ll be there whenever they are ready to talk about their loss. Other than that, do not try to force someone to talk about a pet they lost, as everyone grieves in their own way.
3. “Your Pet Was Lucky Because”
Sometimes, it helps a pet parent to remember just how incredible their pet was and how lucky they were to have that pet in their lives. Owners often feel they could have done something to stop their beloved pet from passing away. They may be blaming themselves.
It’s your job as a friend to remind them that their pet had a long life and that they provided them with a safe, secure, cozy, loving home, as only the best pet parents could. While it may take some time for the pet owner to realize this, they will in time.
4. “Your Pet is in a Better Place Now”
Sometimes, you need to remind your friend that their pet is in a better place. If your friend is spiritual, religious, or believes that pets have their own special brand of heaven, remind them that they will see their pet again someday and that the pet is with God now.
Ensure your friend that their pet is content where they are now and no longer suffering as they wait on the other side for them to join them one day.
5. “Would You Like to Have a Memorial?”
As you probably already know, pet parents have memorials for pets they’ve lost. Just as funerals are a way to say goodbye, they can also be for pets.
Ask your friend if they want to have a memorial for their departed pet. If they do, help them organize the memorial and invite friends and family who have been touched by the pet as well. Seeing how many people were loved by their pet can help your friend to grieve and start to move on.
6. “Your Pet Was Irreplaceable and Special”
Remind your friend of how special their pet was, and let them know that you know that the animal is irreplaceable. The last thing you want to do is tell them to get another pet.
However, some pet owners will numb their grief by getting another pet right away, while others might want to wait a bit before they open their hearts to another pet again.
7. “You Made the Right Call”
One of the hardest things for an owner to deal with is deciding to put their beloved pet to sleep. You should be there to ensure them that they made the right call. Pets love us unconditionally, and the last thing you want is to let your pet be in pain when there’s something you can do about it.
Putting the pet to sleep is the right thing to do if there’s no other option and the pet suffers because of it. Let your friend know they made the only decision they could for the pet they loved.
8. “How Are the Kids?”
It’s important to remember that your friend isn’t the only one to be affected by the death of a pet, especially if they have kids. Make sure to ask how the kids are holding up and offer to do what you can to help them cope.
Kids tend to bounce back quickly, and they might be ready to get a new pet faster than their parents are. Prepare your friend for that eventuality if you can, and encourage them to be there for their kids because they lost a part of their family as well.
9. “I Can’t Imagine What You’re Going Through Right Now”
Even if you’ve lost a pet, everyone copes and grieves in their own way. It’s important to let your friend know that you can’t imagine what they’re going through at that moment, and you will do everything you can to help them through this trying time in their lives.
Be there for your friend, and your friend’s family, unconditionally, just as their pet was before it passed on to the other side. They will love you for it in the end.
Final Thoughts
When dealing with the loss of a beloved pet, everyone grieves in their unique way. As a friend or family member, you want to be there for them, and the quotes above will help you express how you feel about their situation.
Make sure that you don’t offer quotes such as “It’s just a dog” or “they were old anyway,” as this isn’t what your friend needs to hear, and these quotes don’t fit the situation for someone who adored a pet.
Just be there for your friend, be patient with their loss, and let them talk to you about their pet when they’re ready for the best results. They will thank you for being there in the end, trust us.
Featured Image Credit: Soloviova Liudmyla, Shutterstock
