My friend’s family recently lost their dog. The tragic traffic accident disrupted the alluring Thanksgiving holiday season. When my friend found her in the middle of the road, the cars kept driving by. People were indifferent. For a moment, no one driver stopped or slowed down. My friend had difficulty moving the disfigured lifeless body from traffic.
What can I say to comfort him? What spoken words can relieve such pain and suffering? I felt erased and numb. After work, I drove to a store to find a card. The beautifully designed cards offered many attractive images and warm, supportive words. Some texts suggested prayer and cited the appropriate Bible verses. The others talked about the everlasting love that we have for our animals. All the gorgeous cards displayed beautiful words. On the other hand, none of them resonated with my feeling of emptiness and sorrow. After researching and reading multiple suggestions, we suggest some general guidelines for comforting someone who lost an animal.
Be mindful of the person’s feelings.
Losing a dog, a cat, or another animal is a tragic and emotionally overwhelming experience. People may feel angry, helpless, hopeless, desperate, or aggressive. Somebody cries and actively seeks help, and others are silent and numb. Allow your friend to grieve. You don’t have to say much or say anything. Provide active listening for someone who recently lost a companion. Let them know that you are there for them and be present if desired.
Write a sympathy card.
Writing a sympathy card is a challenging task. It is not easy to find the right words. Avoid clichés and make an effort to write a card in your own words. Write from your heart. Think about the person you are writing for and research for advice. Some writers suggest describing memories of the animals and bringing good times spent together. Even precious memories at the time of crisis may intensify the emotional pain of the recent loss. The words like “Your friend is no longer by your side” or “crossed the rainbow bridge” may increase a feeling of extreme sadness and desperation.
In your writing, focus on the person. For example, something like: “You are in my prayers and thoughts” would sound more comforting, rather than: “I am praying and thinking of you.” For someone who believes in God, you may say something like this: “May the Lord comfort you during this challenging time.”
Offer help.
Look around and see how you can help. Your friend may be too stressed to deal with the situation. You may run errands, make phone calls or help with burial arrangements.
Small things like offering dinner may be a big help when a tragedy disrupts the routine. You may cook food yourself or order meals for your friend or family. People report that they felt comforted and cared for when someone brought dinner at a difficult time.
Conclusion.
Everyone grieves in their way and processes loss differently. Be aware of your friend’s culture and respect it. Some people want to be around family and friends, while others prefer solitude. Read each situation and determine the best action. Be available in person, via a phone call, or electronic device. Provide comfort and be present for your friend.