Sympathy Gifts for the Loss of a Pet

A family pet is very much a part of the family it was adopted into. Pet owners often confide in their pets, celebrate their pets' birthdays and take pictures of their pets. So when a family pet dies, it's not unusual to feel sorrow over the loss. As with any loss, sympathy gifts are a great way to show someone that you understand their grief and are thinking about them. There are many gifts you can give someone when they have lost a family pet and companion.

  1. Jewelry

    • A piece of jewelry can be a subtle, yet sentimental, reminder of a pet. Buy memorial pendants and pins that are engraved with paw prints or short, inspirational quotes about love and loss. Have a unique pendant made with a picture of the pet. Engraving a pet's name on a pendant or bracelet is a great sympathy gift.

    Photos

    • A framed photo of the pet alongside the owner is a nice way to honor the pet's memory. Buy a frame that displays a poem on the back and has a place for a picture on the front. Even if you don't have your own photo, it's still a good gift, as the owner can choose her favorite picture to insert.

    Books

    • Sometimes the best sympathy gift is offering words of wisdom from someone who has experienced the same grief and understands the devastating loss. There are many books that deal with grieving over the loss of a pet, such as "Saying Good-Bye to the Pet You Love," by Lorri Greene; "Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children," by Herbert Nieburg; or "Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet," by Moira Allen. Or, if you have a way with words, writing your own poem or card will show you care.

    Memorial Stones and Plaques

    • Many owners who are devastated by the loss of a pet hold a memorial service for the deceased animal. A great gift would be a memorial garden stone with the pet's name on it, which can be used to mark a grave site. If there is not a grave site, the stone can still be placed in a special spot to remember the pet. A memorial stone or plaque can easily be engraved with the pet's name and displayed as a permanent tribute.