Sympathy Gift for loss of pet?

[Deleted]

I would like to do something for my neighbors, even if it is just a small token. They had to put their dog to sleep yesterday and I'm so broken hearted for them. Plus, I loved that dog. We use to always dog sit for them when they'd go out of town and my dogs loved her. Any ideas?

[Pilsy]

I send pet sympathy cards, but not gifts. If you must send a gift, I'd send food.

PS: Sorry about the pup.

[BeagleMama]

I like to make a small donation to a local animal shelter in the animal's name and then send a card with a thoughtful note.

[toepick]

I was so touched just to receive a card. Add some of your favorite memories of the dog and it will be something they treasure.

[redheadbaker]

My coworkers sent me a tin of Mrs. Fields cookies. It was much appreciated.

[tennisgal]

My sister sent me a personalized Christmas ornament with a paw print and our dog's name engraved. I'll see if I can find a link to a similar one.

ETA: similar to this  www.ebay.com/itm/185156731340?hash=item2b1c3381cc:g:6LwAAOSwEdxhjBf6&var=692914819413

[bex1973]

I would never think to send a gift in this situation but shortly after we moved into our house the previous owners dog died and their vet sent a small wind chime with paw prints on the chimes which I thought was nice.

H didn't realize it wasn't our name on the package because he just glanced and of course the address was correct and he only realized after he opened it and was confused. There was a card with the Vet's name on it. Amazon sent them a new one after the correct address was provided. We knew it was the dog because their son is married to the daughter of our neighbor so we got the whole story.

[charlatti]

We received cards saying donations in our pets’ honor were made to different animal shelters, which I thought was very appropriate and comforting. But as others said, just a card was very thoughtful.

[bsp36]

We usually do this.

shop.arborday.org/trees-for-pets

[dexteroni]

I'm typically anti-physical gift in this situation, but it sounds like you were close with this dog. Do you have any photos they've never seen? Like maybe from when you dogsat? One of those, framed, would be a great gift. Or if you have a bunch, make up a small album.

ETA: A donation in their name or the Arbor Day idea are good too.

[Pilsy]

Oh! I forgot that I sent a couple ornaments to friends who lost pets around Christmas 2020. There are tons on Etsy, like someone linked above. My friends both loved them so much, but they did take a while to ship (made worse by the pandemic).

[verycontrary247]

I've commissioned artwork of my friends pets that have passed. There are lots of artists on Etsy that do it.

[Pibs]

We've had people donate to a rescue, send flowers, give a plant, and have an ornament made with our pet painted on it. EnidTraisman on Etsy is local to us, and I've had her make a windchime and suncatcher for pets of friends who passed. She's been super great at customizing things.

[Patsy Baloney]

Alex’s husband made a lovely portrait of our Cat when she passed.

My friend sent us a willow tree figurine of a cat when our beloved monster died.

I loved both of those things and have used them in a little shadow box display I have for both of them. I hold the cat figurine a lot when I’m missing him. The portrait is with our other cat’s footprints and makes me smile to see her dainty paws and chubby face ♥️

[mcmel]

My boss bought my cat a tag on a rainbow bridge in a local dog park and I thought it was so thoughtful and heartwarming.

I also received a Willow Tree figure of a woman holding a cat and I keep that by her cremation box and paw print plaque.

My mom received multiple gifts when her dog passed away last year- wind chimes, Christmas ornaments, and a stepping stone all with his name are a few that I can remember.

It’s so lovely you’re considering this for them.

[marie]

I donated to a dog rescue organization in the dog's name and sent that info with a card.

[mel]

A good friend/coworker unexpectedly lost her dog a couple months ago. My friend loved how her dog would "talk" to her, so I got her a small windchime with a paw print on it and told her that every time the wind blows, it's Maggie saying hello. She tells me she'll sit on her patio where she placed the windchime and just listen to Maggie.

[litskispeciality]

This is really sweet of you.

We had friends send a sympathy card when we lost at least one of our cats, and that was plenty. I love the idea of a donation to a local shelter in the pets name as an added bonus.

You can't go wrong with food to comfort them. I like the idea of something personalized or with paw prints.

[ksun]

Receiving cards has always been nice, just the acknowledgement that you know their pup was family and is being grieved for. I've given plants in the past and have received ornaments and donations to shelters. All have been well received.

[whiskeytails]

I like to send prints from here: www.etsy.com/shop/watercolorqueen

[mags]

Someone sent me a windchime with his name on it. I also got a few pics of him in frames that I love.
A long distance friend who is also a dog lover sent me an ornament.

[katyintx]

Our next door neighbors (who used to watch our dogs frequently and who we are quite close with) gave us a card with a thoughtful message, and a small plant in a pot that they personalized with my dog’s name and a paw print image. I know it’s not for everyone, but since we are close and they have been in our house multiple times, they knew the plant would be appreciated.

Obviously you know your neighbors better than us but I would think you can’t go wrong with a thoughtful card plus something like a memorial ornament, or a picture frame + picture, or a willow figurine, or a plant, etc.

[kath16]

i have done this for pet loss:
www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/

[cheeseplease]

My friend bought me an alix and ani style bracelet with a paw print charm and a rainbow bridge grave marker because I live in the country and we bury our pets out here.

[gottadobe]

The neighbors brought dinner over one night when my dog passed. It was greatly appreciated and I didn't have "reminders" lying around when I wasn't ready for them.

[lucybrown]

All of these are really nice ideas. We expected nothing when we put our dog down recently. So many friends dropped off cards, gifts, etc. All of it was very meaningful and acknowledged our grief over losing a family member. The support, even just kinds words in a card, carried us through a hard time. You're a really kind person for doing this.