What do I say?
Someone you know has lost a dog or a cat and you want to say something that helps. Tell us who it is for and what happened, and adapt one of these.
I'm so sorry about your dog. A dog who gets to be old and loved has had the best life there is.
I just heard about your dog, and I'm so sorry. I'm here whenever you want to talk, or not talk.
My heart is with you today. Your dog had a long life full of love, and that was because of you.
Change a word or two so it sounds like you. Using the pet's name, and one thing you remember about them, matters more than getting the wording perfect.
This tool organizes what you have noticed. It can't examine your pet, and its result is not a diagnosis or veterinary advice. Take what it shows to your vet; if your pet is in distress, go to an emergency clinic now. Full disclaimer
What makes a message land
People grieving a pet mostly want two things: for the loss to be treated as real, and for the animal to be remembered as an individual. That is why the pet's name matters more than any phrasing, and why a single memory of them is worth more than a paragraph.
The messages here are original and written to be changed. Short is fine. What does not help is anything that ranks the loss, such as it was only a pet, or that hurries it along, such as asking when they will get another one.
After euthanasia, most owners are carrying guilt about the timing, whichever way it went. Saying plainly that it was a kind decision is one of the most useful things you can write. And a second message a few weeks later, when everyone else has moved on, is often the one people remember.
More tools
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- Euthanasia and cremation cost estimatorClinic, home or emergency visit, with or without cremation. A typical range before you call for quotes.
- Is it time? A checklist for dogsThe things vets weigh when a dog's quality of life is failing, set out so you can see where yours stands.
- Is it time? A checklist for catsThe things vets weigh when a cat's quality of life is failing, set out so you can see where yours stands.