They were caretakers to a four legged furball for several years, suddenly their charge is gone. Whether the death was sudden or prolonged, there is no way to prepare for the emptiness that an owner feels after their dog moves on. Friends and family members feel helpless through the course of grieving. At times tripping over themselves, saying and doing the wrong things. Listed below are ways to comfort without pushing.
Memories
Keep the memories alive, talk about the good times and the positive attributes of the dog. Don’t shy away from the mention of the departed dog. Let the owner talk and grieve. Sometimes a shoulder to cry on is the best form of therapy and all a person needs to process their feelings. If the owner asks for space, give it to them. Let them know there is a shoulder available if they need it.
Tribute
A memorial tribute would be a wonderful gift to any grieving owner. Whether it is in the form of a photo album or a power point presentation, a memorial tribute is something that the owner can take out and look through when they are feeling particularly sad. Several dog web sites and animal shelters offer memorial t-shirts that can be personalized with the dogs name and worn with pride.
Gathering
Gather together a group of family and friends from work, church, community to offer the loved one support in their misery. Getting a group of people together, people who have gone through the process of moving on, can help the owner move on. If the owner would rather keep their grief private, there is a pet loss hotline available. The hotline is run by licensed therapists and completely anonymous.
