Pet Illness/Loss Question

Hey guys:

Hoping to get some insight from the pet owners here. We do not own a pet, but my colleague here does. She just found out that her 9 year old dog, whom she rescued from an abusive situation 2 years ago, has been diagnosed with cancer and has anywhere from 2 months to a year to live.

SHe is devastated and was in my office crying badly. Not having a pet, there's really not much I could say other than to offer my condolences and listen. Is there more I can do? Take her out for a drink? Buy her a little gift. I don't know but I want to make sure I do all that I can.

Please note, yes I am male and she is female. She's engaged and I'm happily married so there none of "that" going on Guys and girls can be friends.

Thanks to all in advance

Message edited 3/23/2007 12:42:04 PM.

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

I think the best thing to do is just to be there for her when she needs a shoulder or an ear...

I think if someone had tried to "cheer" me up with a gift or something when we had to put Hans down it might have made me feel worse to be honest. It is a beautiful though & gesture, but probably not the right time.

Definitely ask her what you can do. If she needs anything I am sure she will let you know

I am sorry that your friend got such bad news

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

Posted by MsMBV

I think the best thing to do is just to be there for her when she needs a shoulder or an ear...

I think if someone had tried to "cheer" me up with a gift or something when we had to put Hans down it might have made me feel worse to be honest. It is a beautiful though & gesture, but probably not the right time.

Definitely ask her what you can do. If she needs anything I am sure she will let you know

I am sorry that your friend got such bad news

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

i think thats very sweet of you.

my moms cat was diagnosed with cancer months ago and they too said he wasnt going to live long (i cant recall how long they gave him) but he is still doing great way past the time frame they gave him. remind her of thigns like that. Drs are wrong all the time.

if you want to get her alittle gift mayeb you could get ahold of a pic of her dog and do somehting with it. whether its just a cute frame or have it put on a mousepad or whatever. that would be really thoughtful i think.

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

Very cool of you to take her hurt seriously, so many people don't really acknowledge pets.

I'm sure that just listening to her meant a great deal. If you want to get her something, maybe a frame?

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

I know how you feel because a few years ago a good friend of mine had her cat pass away. She was hysterical and so sad and i didn't have any pets. So i had no clue how to react and i'm really bad at the whole death thing to begin with. So i said very little and felt horrible about it, but i didn't want to say the wrong thing.

now that i own 2 cats and a dog, i can understand why she was devasted. They become like your little buddy and they cheer you up just by being there.

I'd say that you can only listen and offer your condolences. Just remind her that the past 2 years were probably the best that they could have been for her dog because she rescued him. At least the dog found someone who cared for him. Then from time to time, ask her how she's doing and how the dog is doing.

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

Posted by aliwnec10


I'd say that you can only listen and offer your condolences. Just remind her that the past 2 years were probably the best that they could have been for her dog because she rescued him. At least the dog found someone who cared for him. Then from time to time, ask her how she's doing and how the dog is doing.

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

I just lost my dog of 15 years a couple of months ago and it was and still is devastating to me. Not many people understand that the loss could be as deep as losing a person. It is different for everyone. Just try to be there to comfort her or to listen. I tried to talk to people who understood and avoided the ones that didn't. So sorry for her loss, as I know how painful it can be.



Cindy

Re: Pet Illness/Loss Question

It's hard for non-pet owners to understand -- and I did not understand this until we got our boys -- but pets truly become a member of your family. I think the best thing you can do is listen and sympathize. Acknowledging that her hurt is real and okay will mean the world to her.

This is sweet of you to do