While there is no math involved, today’s topic is a tricky one and I would very much appreciate your input.
Last year could be titled The Year of Loss, because you suffered loss, therefore we suffered loss, and add in hoomans suffering loss of hoomans (well, just a little math), and we find that our sympathy has been expressed the most ever.
How do you express your sympathy to both pawrents and hoomans? We have seen friendships severed in the four legged world and the two legged world over the way sympathy has been expressed. Granted, it is a highly emotionally charged situation, and feelings can take on the characteristics of hormones. Everpawdy handles grief differently.
Even though every situation is different, there is some wording that we find helpful What do you say or write?
skylerbraveheart 
I am terrible at it but Barbara Stucker and Barbara Brandt are really eloquent. Often I am so grief stricken myself that I have difficulty finding the right words to console others.
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You don’t always need words-a big hug works wonders.
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Hugs ARE good!
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It isn’t just the words we choose to say but how we say them. There is nothing wrong to simply say a heartfelt, ” I am sorry, I just don’t know what to say.” or an offer to help in any way possible.. A hug or reaching for one’s hand is always a comfort as well .
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All good!
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I find it so difficult to express how deeply I feel for the loss of loved ones, both hoomans and little fur friends. I may be short in words but long in what I feel in my heart.
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The heart is so important!
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I generally say, honestly, that “my heart hurts for your loss.”
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That is quite lovely.
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With us its a !simple so sorry for your loss ,keeping you in our thoughts,sending lots of hugs,snuggles and love” and if it is someone Special that we have known for a long time then we do a tribute post on my blog to say goodbye,thats in the blogging world.but if its at home with personal friends and family then its normally a big hug and a “so sorry” at the same time and then when they are ready make them smile with happy memories of the person or pet that has gone,xx Speedy and Rachel
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Love the idea of happy memories. Thanks Speedy and Rachel!
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I just say what is in my heart because it is sincere and deeply felt. The way I express it, the person who has just suffered a loss knows that I am deeply sorry and affected by their loss. I also tell them to count on me for whatever they need me to do for them.
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The heart is true….thanks lauramarec!
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I don’t know if this is about how furry friends can help humans or how humans can help furry friend, or how humans AND furry friends can each help their OWN species 😉
Best just to sit quietly in any case. Your presence there is often the best gift. Long, warm hugs are good too. Tears shed and a hand (paw) held are also often appreciated. A nice card that expresses your sentiments (or a pet treat for furry friends who have lost a buddy) Bringing a ready made meal or a dessert for extra company at those times can be much appreciated by humans who are undergoing loss, whether it’s loss of a human friend or loss of a pet.
Loss is a hard experience on any level……I know our furry friends feel it too. Sometimes they are the very best company for grieving humans because they just know how to bring quiet comfort to a sad soul.
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Hi Ann! The Scottie ( and canine) world is being decimated by cancer too. There are days when I might lose as many as five friends. The last scenario you mentioned is what I was intending. Mama is pretty good with hooman loses. It is my anipals, many of whom I may only know from FB, where we feel inadequate sometimes offering our condolences to their Hoomans. We wrote this post after one of those wretched weeks, where there seemed to be Hoomans and anipals losses every day. I knew when PawPaw died. I knew he was going to die because Mama stopped taking me to the hospital to visit him, mainly because she saw how upsetI was getting. Loved my PawPaw. And yes, I am a great comfort to Mama, as my pals are to theirs. You expressed that so beautifully! Welcome to my world. I know Mama and I will enjoy and learn from yours!
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❤
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