My best mates dog died today. He's taking it pretty bad. Seems to want space. What are some casual things I can say that might make him feel better...
Answers:
I just had to put my dog down about 2 weeks ago.
The best thing you can say is that you are sorry for his loss. Keep it simple. Let him talk about the dog as much or as little as he wants to.
He is going through grieving stages and wanting to isolate yourself is usual for the first few days after a pet's death.
However, he needs support. Call him and tell him you are bringing over dinner so that he eats. Be a shoulder for him to cry on if he needs it.
I couldn't eat, sleep or even look at pictures of my dog the first few days after.
It's now been two weeks, and while I am eating and sleeping again, any reminder of him makes me break into tears.
Let him be the one that decides when he wants to start talking about the dog again. Don't force pictures on him.
And for God's sake don't use a line like "there's always another puppy waiting out there" ...EVER!
Right now to him that's like saying his pet was totally replaceable and didn't have meaning.
Just make sure you let him know that you are there for him and tell him if he feels that he needs to talk you will be there to listen to him...other than that give him a little bit of space some people grieve different than others
Tell him that was one lucky dog to have had a great owner who loved and cared for him when so many dogs today are stuck in shelters and have to be put down.
I'm sorry for your friend, but it sounds like he or she will get some good support from you. I think the best thing is to just be there as a listener when your friend wants to talk, and to let them know that whatever they are feeling is right and OK.
Treat it like a family member. He will need his time to grieve.
Say what you feel.
The best thing in any sitiuation like this is to simply let your friend know that you are there for him if he needs to talk. You could ask how he came to get his dog and also if you remember any great things you could say, 'wow, your dog was so great because he was fun playing with the frisbee' or whatever. Then just sit back and listen to him.
If he wants space, let him have it. It's tragic losing a pet, if you've ever lost one yourself, you'll know how it feels but take it from experience, it's not a nice thing and he'll just want to be alone. But just tell him you're there for him if he needs you also tell him that he was one hell of a lucky dog to have an owner like him and that it's OK to cry. I know a lot of people who tell their children/friends not to cry but then it just gets bottled up and makes it worse. Just be there for him.
And another note, he's not taking it bad at all, how do you expect him to react?
Lorna
Let him know that you care and are there for him, say kind words of remembrance for his loved one. Send him a sympathy card. Also, trying making a donation to the Humane Society or local animal shelter in memory of his dog. Often the agency will send a thank you card to the grieving party, acknowledging your contribution.
Just like any death, give him time to grieve and just let him know that if you wants someone around you are available. They have cards specifically for sympathy of the loss of a pet but any sympathy card will do.
tell ur friend that its only a dog and to suck it up cuz it was just a pet and if it was anything more then ur friend is crazy
Let him know you are there for him if he needs you then be a good friend and leave him alone to grieve in his own way. Everyone grieves differently. Some want to talk about it and others want silence. If you already know he wants space... afford him space.
Tell him that its okay, that now his dog is in doggy heaven, tell him when he's ready he can get a new dog, that will take his mind off his other dog.
Hopefully i helped!
Daphne
"I'm taking you to the Strip Club"?
Just tell him you are sorry too and if he needs to talk you'll listen.
Thanks for being a good mate.
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2...
send him this link.
just be supportive. Get him a card and some take out. Ask if he wants company... let him do the talking. Sorry to hear of your friend's loss. Ouch.
I would give him the space he wants. One very thoughtful way of letting him know you're there for him would be to send him a sympathy card. He's grieving and if this were a human member of his family, everyone would offer their sympathy. Sometimes people forget to do that when you're grieving over a beloved pet. Let him know you're thinking about him.
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