Gifts for Pet Bereavement

When a pet dies the owner grieves. Losing a beloved pet can be devastating to an owner, even more so if the pet has been a family companion for many years. While losing a pet to disease or accident brings incredible pain, even losing a pet to old age causes grief that cannot or should not be minimized. There are gifts you can give during this time of grief to support the pet owner.

  1. Gift of Listening

    • Often when someone loses a pet, they don't always find the sympathy and support they need during their time of bereavement. An important gift you can provide at this time of bereavement for a beloved pet, is to listen without judgment or advice. Let the pet's owner share positive stories of the time, often years, with the pet. Let the pet's human companion to honest about the grief felt. The pain of loss can be difficult if the death was unexpected or tragic, especially so if the human companion feels somehow responsible. You cannot know all the facts. Regardless of circumstances, don't offer your opinion. Don't try to "fix" things. Simply listen with your heart as well as your ears and be available when the pet owner needs time.

    Flowers

    • While flowers don't last, an arrangement created with the pet bereavement in mind acknowledges you recognize the grief as real. You can have an arrangement created with flowers reminiscent of the pet, adding an representative symbol of the pet or picture along with a card expressing your heart-felt condolences.

    Gift to Charity

    • A gift you can give for pet bereavement is a gift of remembrance for the deceased pet. You can give a monetary gift in the name of the pet or the pet's owner to any charity of the pet owner's choosing whether or not the charity is animal or pet related. There are also charities specific to animal companions such as local animal shelters or humane societies such as the ASPCA.

    Pet Symbol

    • Gifts for pet bereavement don't need to be expensive. Sometimes the best gift for the human companions is a small reminder of the lost pet friend. Find a stuffed animal close in coloring and shape to the one lost. If the owner was a child, a large cuddly stuffed animal may provide comfort. A teenager or adult might prefer a small stuffed animal or a ceramic figure. You might find a key chain representing the pet lost or charm for a charm bracelet or necklace.

    Memory Album

    • For pet bereavement, give a memory photo book. Find or ask for pictures of the pet with and without the pet owner. Many have pictures on their social networking sites that you can download for the project. Write a poem or memories of the pet and the owner. You can also download appropriate poems online from such websites as Petloss.com. Create a time line of important events in the pet's life. With all the information collected, you can create the album in your word processor, print out and staple together. You can also purchase an album to include the pictures and text. Present the album to the pet owner for a very special memory gift.