Sick Pet - Card etiquette question

mama2oliviamae · 02-15-2009

My friend (and principal of DD's school) just informed us that her beloved family dog is ill with cancer. This dog means the world to their family and they're simply crushed. In the email, she mentioned that she wasn't ready to talk further about it.

I'd like to make a card for her but I'm not sure it should be a sympathy card or thinking of you card, etc.

I've never had an animal of mine pass before (our first kitty is still a baby) so I'm not really sure how to handle it. Any advice would be apprecitated!

demodebi · 02-15-2009

I would do a thinking of you....we've lost several animals over our 30 years together and it is so hard...somehow we always end up with more (our kids tend to make sure of that!)....but you can never replace the one you lost!!!

Lisa Loiselle · 02-15-2009

I wouldn't do a sympathy yet. A general thinking of you, encouragement, you're on my heart-type of card would be best. I'm sure she'll greatly appreciate it.

Phantom · 02-15-2009

My sister just went through the same thing and she couldn't talk about it either. It was an emotional rollercoaster with chemo etc. and just overwhelming.

I would send a "thinking of you" card ~ something encouraging and emotionally supportive. We have had lots of pet deaths in our family and it's always very difficult.

When it comes to pet sympathy or illness, I tend to think of it as I would if it were a human when it comes to expressing your compassion.

Also, with this type of illness, if there will be trips (sometimes long distance) to treatment, if it's in your power to offer to take over a chore or provide a supper, I'm sure it would be appreciated. My sister lives 2.5 hours from me but drove with 45 min. of me for her dog's treatments. On the morning I was going to meet her there and keep her company for the duration of the treatment, maybe get lunch or something, her dog passed away. I still regret that we didn't do that on one of her earlier trips.

Best wishes to you and your friend.

sunsetbeaches · 02-15-2009

I think a thinking of you would be nice. My dog had cancer but survived for 4 years. I have two new dogs, but it sure would be nice to get something that says you are thinking about the owners during this time.

dawndreger · 02-15-2009

No sympathy cards until the animal has actually passed away, would be my opinion.

1gr8lady · 02-18-2009

How about an "in your time of need" card. Saying something like "you are not alone"

Gatomom · 02-18-2009

To a lot of people pets are family (like me) so a thinking of you card would be really nice. Some people dont understand how much an animal means to a person and it's really nice when someone offers compassion about a pet. Definitely hold off on the sympathy card but a card will probably mean the world to your friend!! Youre a good friend. I was devastated when I lost my cat.

java_jenny · 02-18-2009

I agree with every one else. A "thinking about you" card would be great! I'm sure she will appreciate the thought.

kyloescards · 02-19-2009

What a great idea - I am sure any card that would brighten the day would be appreciated now, and then if the chemo does not go well then the sympathy card. I am a vet tech and we have been making cards for each of the pets that have passed at our clinic, I think my favorite is one with a heart with paw paw prints that says "memories of a pet are like paw prints on your heart"
If you don't have a paw stamp I printed some on the computer and then cut them into a heart shape and printed the verse on vellum.
They will appreciate your thoughts.

stamper1996 · 02-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawndreger

No sympathy cards until the animal has actually passed away, would be my opinion.

Mine too, though a general thinking of you would certainly be appreciated.

puppydoggrins · 02-19-2009

Definitely a "thinking of you" card now and then, if the time comes, a sympathy card would be lovely too. There are some nice verses out there if you type "pet sympathy cards" into google. Your friend may not be able to talk about it, but the card will show you care and are there for her should she need/want to talk. My family's dog passed away somewhat suddenly last spring and I still can't talk about her or really even think about her without crying. (Like now, for instance...) It's SO hard to lose a pet, but unless they decide to euthanize their dog, he/she isn't gone yet.

Stamp & Quilt · 02-21-2009

I guess it depends just how sick the dog is, but when friends' pets are sick, I send a get well card or thinking of you type card to the pet (in c/o it's family)and sign it (with love and licks) from my two dogs. Like me, most of my friends think of their pets as four-legged children, and their pet getting a card in the mail (just like you would do for a sick child) usually cheers them up, too. If the pet dies, I send a sympathy card.

bethvb · 02-21-2009

Thinking of you is the way to go. There a lot of different cancers, many dogs do great with treatment, if it is a treatable cancer. Recently my rottie was treated for insulinoma. When the cancer was detected the Dr told me she had about two months. Two months turned into ten. And it was nine and a half good months. You never know how things will really turn out. Keep a good thought, and go with a Thinking of you card.