| With so many of us owning a pet these days | | | | |
| it's natural for us to understand someone's | | | | The wealth of animal shows on television |
| loss of their beloved animal. | | | | confirms that yes, as a nation we are |
| | | | besotted, often caring more for them than our |
| Hallmark one of the leading Pet sympathy card | | | | fellow human being. |
| publishers has been printing these cards | | | | |
| since 1984. One of their releases states | | | | So we know that caring for an animal takes |
| that "Almost six in 10 American households | | | | time and commitment. We almost don't |
| include a pet, compared to one in three that | | | | begrudge the cost of vaccinations or pet |
| includes a child. No wonder that dogs and | | | | care. And many of us don't budget for it. |
| cats are more than mere companions - they're | | | | |
| part of the family" | | | | We buy, or acquire our pet and then we give |
| | | | it hours of our unstinting love and |
| They go on further to comment.. Animal | | | | attention. We take care to feed it soundly, |
| Hospital Association research shows that 79% | | | | walk it as necessary. Or at the very least |
| of pet owners celebrate their pet's | | | | we inquire into how to exercise it and keep |
| birthdays. More than half of dog owners (55 | | | | it in the peak of health. |
| percent) view themselves as the parents of | | | | |
| their pets, and some 62 percent sign cards | | | | Our commitment is so consuming that the end |
| and letters from themselves and the pet". | | | | when it comes is hard to bear. |
| It's little wonder then they rose to the | | | | |
| challenge of creating a special category to | | | | Writing a sensitive Pet Sympathy Card to |
| enable friends and relatives to send their | | | | someone going through this loss can offer |
| condolences on the loss of such a beloved | | | | them some comfort and support. |
| 'family member'. The Pet Sympathy Card | | | | |
| category has reached new heights of interest. | | | | It's not just the cat and dog owners who |
| | | | would welcome such a card. Think of all the |
| There will be few of us who haven't been | | | | different species of animals out there from |
| touched at some point in our lives by the | | | | horses to hamsters and goldfish to guinea |
| love of an animal. The majority of us have | | | | pigs. Some sites offer Bird Loss and Pet Rat |
| experienced caring for a pet as a child. In | | | | Loss cards, and include Ferret and Rabbit |
| fact it may seem almost obligatory to have at | | | | Loss in their extensive ranges. |
| least one pet as a youngster. The animal | | | | |
| shops are full of an abundance of creatures | | | | There will be a card perfect for you to send |
| hoping that a generous passer-by will give | | | | to any grieving pet owner. Look at the wide |
| them a good home. However, being able to buy | | | | range of 'blank' animal cards that are |
| and then care for an animal don't go | | | | available too. There are many options to |
| hand-in-hand. | | | | choose from. There are sites that specialize |
| | | | in animal cards and some of the Sympathy Card |
| Being the owner of a pet is not easy. It may | | | | sites have sections on animal loss. |
| start out easy enough. We buy a few basic | | | | |
| animal care products, create a safe sleeping | | | | You may want to give something more |
| and playing area and immerse ourselves in | | | | substantial than a card. This can help the |
| animal care books. The libraries and book | | | | owner to remember them in their homes, or |
| shelves are full of 'how to care for your | | | | help them to mark their final resting spot |
| pet' books. | | | | with a permanent memorial. Our first action |
| | | | though should be the careful selection and |
| Over the years we may well give up holidays | | | | writing of a Pet Sympathy Card. |
| because we can't leave our pet. Perhaps we | | | | |
| have limited our time away - relying on | | | | Geraldine Jozefiak has written widely on the |
| neighbors or friends to come in and care for | | | | subject of Sympathy Cards. Greeting Card |
| our beloved creature. We may make a song and | | | | Guide gives you the latest news, trends and |
| dance of their birthday and have one or two | | | | products to make your greeting card selection |
| animals from the same family living together | | | | as quick, fun and painless as possible. |
| as a family unit. | | | | |