Pets become valued members of the family and the extent to which the grief is felt by losing a faithful friend sometimes even surprises the bereaved. When someone loses a pet, they feel a void that many do not understand. They have lost that unconditional love and companionship that they had cherished for so many years with their pet. To support the grieving, acknowledge their loss with a condolence note. It would be a thoughtful and appreciated gesture. If you are not an animal lover it may be more difficult to understand the feelings of the bereaved and the bond they shared with their pet. A few things NOT to say would be "It's only an animal" or "You can always get another pet" sympathy flowers. Anyone that has lost a pet needs time to grieve and their feelings should not be minimized. Deciding what to say can be challenging. Try to keep the note short and simple. A few points to consider when writing the card are: * Use the name of the pet - It may appear rather cold to speak of the pet only as "your bird" or "the dog", rather than Molly or Stormy. * Express your condolences with sincerity - Let the person know that you are sorry for their loss. Some examples include: -- I'm so sorry to hear about Snoopy's death. sympathy gift flowers I know he was a faithful companion to you and how much you'll miss him. -- My condolences on the loss of Rusty. -- Please accept my sympathy at the loss of your cat, Chester. I know he was a big part of your life. * If you have personal memories of the pet, share them with the bereaved. Examples: -- I'll never forget how Sandy enjoyed your games of hide and seek with her toys. -- I'll miss seeing you and Penny take your daily walk together. -- There was nothing more heartwarming than watching Stormy take a plunge into the pool because he was trying to swim closer to you. * Close the letter - Offer your sincerest condolences. -- Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. -- I hope all the happy memories you shared with Sophie will comfort you. -- With heartfelt sympathy * You may also close with a quote such as: -- "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. sympathy flowers " - Helen Keller -- "The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master. " - Ben Hur LampmanYou may add a keepsake or remembrance of the pet, along with the note. Suggestions include: * Framed picture of the animal * Memorial garden stone or marker * Keepsake remembrance boxes to hold tags, collars, and trinkets of the pet * Cremation jewelry to hold the remains of the petThese pet sympathy gifts and memorials allow the owner to keep the memory of their pet close to their heart. Simple gestures, such as these, are sure to be appreciated by the recipient.