My sweet aunt Dorothy loved her little Pomeranian dog called "Princess". Whenever you saw aunt "Dot" you would find Princess cradled under her arm or following determinedly around her. Dot would fuss over Princess as if she were a newborn babe and we, as children, would often make tease her behind her back. One day I arrived at my grandmother's house to find aunt Dot bawling her eyes out at the kitchen table, my grandma calmly consoling her.
Initially I feared there had been a terrible family tragedy. Had someone died, had one of my cousins been ? She had already lost her husband. Gee, I wonder what happened? My grandmother looked up at me as I walked in. I questioned her with pained complexion and raised eyebrows. Princess died she whispered to me. At first I was taken aback. All that whimpering for a mutt I thought. It wasn't until later in my life that I realised that my Aunt Dot had lost more than just an animal or a pet. She lost a faithful friend to whom she was very emotionally attached.
When a Pet Dies
When my aunt's husband had died, Princess had become a very necessary part of her life. My cousins were grown up and living on their own, and Aunt Dot was a bit of a secluded widow. Princess had become her companion, someone she could talk to and look after. For lots of people, especially the elderly and children, pets are far more than just animals. They are part of the family, a faithful friend or devoted caretaker. Do we send a sympathy message when someone's pet dies?
Sending Sympathy Messages on the Death of a Pet
It's especially appropriate to send condolence messages for pets when you knew the animal. Perhaps your neighbour's dog was always over, or maybe a certain relative always arrived with pet in tow as my Aunt Dot did. If you decide to send a sympathy message to someone who has lost a pet, there are a few pointers to keep in mind.
What to Compose
How formal your message of sympathy will be is dependent upon how well you know the person, and knew the pet. For a pet and person you are familiar with, sympathy messages can begin with something like:
Dear Sam, I'm really sorry to hear about "Fester". He was a great cat and faithful friend to you, and I'll miss seeing you together on your morning walks. I never knew who was really walking who, and his passing has left a void in my life as well. Please know that my thoughts are with you at this time.
If you have experienced the loss of a pet yourself, you can say something that shows you can personally relate to the loss. You should also add in a personal memory you might have of your old pet. A really good idea is to ask them if they have a portrait of their pet. I remember my aunt Dot was especially pleased when my grandmother asked her for one of Princess.
When sending sympathy messages to business associates or clients about the loss of their pet, a more formal approach would be best. Here's a short example of what you could compose:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds,
I was very saddened to hear of the death of your lovely cat Genova. Though I didn't know her, I realize how special she was to you from the many photos you have shown me over the years. Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your dear friend.
In Conclusion
When writing sympathy messages for pets, make sure to use the pet's name, the owner and animal shared a very personal relationship. Please make sure you get the gender right. Whatever you do, now do not suggest a new pet. Remember; be sensitive in the recognition of a loss not always understood by others. Your companion or relative will always remember your kindness in the sympathy you showed in the passing of their loyal companion.
For examples of good sympathy messages to say for the loss of a pet. You might want to consider visiting ObituariesHelp.org. They've got a great sample of correct comments and words to write for this difficult occasion.
Author Resource:-
Suzie Kolber recommends ObituariesHelp.org for sympathy messages, free sympathy letters, guides to building a family tree, sample words of sympathy and condolence, written examples of eulogies as well as help with all aspects of funeral planning.
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