If your dog has passed away, the best thing to do is to start by notifying the people who are closest to you. Friends and family should be apprised of the situation, so that they can provide emotional support and comfort during this difficult time.
It’s also important to notify any relevant local authorities. If your pet was registered with a veterinarian, you should contact them about proper disposal of the remains and for any needed paperwork related to the death (e.g., death certificates, ashes certifications). In some jurisdictions, there are laws around when owners must inform their local shelter if their pet has died. You should contact the relevant government office in order to find out what applies in your locality regarding proper notification and disposal.
In addition, if you have boarding or day care services or groomers who have an ongoing relationship with your pet, it is courteous to let them know that a beloved part of their extended pet family has passed away.
If possible, consider donating items such as bedding or toys that remind you of your pet but no longer serve a purpose. Collecting memories of your pet (photos, videos) may help in processing grief or just remembering those happier moments together down the line. However long it takes until you’re ready again for a new companion animal – take time for yourself in between and honor memories that will last forever with your late four-legged friend.
Creative ways to honor & remember your pet
When your pet dies, it can be hard to find the right way to honor and remember them. From dedicating a tree or planting a memorial garden, there are so many creative ways you can pay tribute.
For example, you could create a meaningful photo book full of memories and through our website special moments with your pet, frame it and mount it in your home as an ongoing reminder. Or turn your pet’s ashes into a memorable piece of jewelry that you can wear close to your heart. You could even name a star after them!
These are all timeless ways to keep your pet’s memory alive. Taking time to express and share emotions this way will help release feelings of sorrow and bring about feelings of gratitude for the time spent together. Who knows, maybe stories about how you honored your beloved pet might even help others thinking about how to cope with their own personal loss one day.
How friends & family can help during this time
When a beloved pet passes away, friends and family can provide an incredible amount of comfort and support. In addition to providing emotional support, your nearest and dearest can also help take care of some of the practical matters that may arise during this time. They can help to arrange a viewing or funeral service for the pet, if you wish. They can also accompany you to visit a veterinarian if there is one involved in the death process, or assist with organising any paperwork that needs to be completed.
Friends and family can also lighten your load by helping to divide up tasks like informing others about the death or overseeing memorials or tributes that take place after the loss of your pet. You may want someone to spend time with you at home during this period too – it’s ok to ask for what you need! Letting those closest to you know how they can help is often incredibly beneficial during difficult times like these.
Notifying social networks & subscriptions of your pet’s passing
When your beloved pet has passed away, it’s important to notify those who shared their lives with them. This includes friends, family, and anyone on social networks, subscriptions or other online communities that are part of your pet’s circle.
The first thing you should do is write a brief message that, in a few sentences, captures the life and loves of your pet. You can also add any of your favorite photos to bring them back to life. Many people find this both comforting and therapeutic.
Next, reach out to all of your subscription services such as food deliveries for any pets or veterinary clinics so they can memorialize your pet’s passing. Social media platforms should be notified too — people may not even know that something happened unless you post about it on social media. Lastly, let other pet owners in the same breed community know through newsletters or blogs so that everyone can send supportive thoughts for days ahead.
What to do with memento & cherished items
When a pet dies, it can be immensely upsetting. While it’s difficult to let go of cherished items and mementos that remind us of our beloved animal companion, taking the proper steps will help you honor your pet and start the process of healing.
First, spend time with the items that bring joy and comfort as you process your grief. Collect photos, toys, beds, and anything else that were special to both you and your dog. Display them proudly in your home or hold onto them for safekeeping until you’re ready.
If possible, consider donating any additional items to an animal shelter or no-kill rescue center so other animals can benefit from these beloved objects. Donations are a great way to honor the memory of our pets, while also benefiting other animals who desperately need some love and kindness.
Telling children about the death of a pet
If you have children in your family, it can be especially difficult to tell them about the death of a beloved pet. The best thing that you can do is to be honest with them and to answer any questions they may have. There’s no right or wrong way to approach the conversation, but here are some tips to help make the experience easier on everyone involved:
1. Don’t downplay the situation – acknowledge that something difficult has happened. Children trust adults to tell them when hard things happen, so don’t try to avoid telling them.
2. Explain the concept of death in simple terms – explain what death means in basic language and let your children understand as much as they are capable of at their age.
3. Encourage children to express themselves – allow your children space and time to cry, write stories or letters about their pet, draw pictures, or visit the grave site if possible.
4. Provide comfort wehen needed – embrace your child for support and for reassurance that having sad feelings is okay and make sure they know that being sad over a beloved pet is normal too.
5. Offer positive memories – share positive stories and memories of the departed pet as it’s important that your child feels connected with their beloved animal even though they might not be around anymore.