For anyone who has lost a pet
Lantern Paws is a quiet place with practical, kind guidance for the days after losing a dog, a cat or any companion: how to cope, what to say, and gentle ways to remember.
Supporting someone else
Not sure what to write in a pet sympathy card? Find gentle, original message ideas for a dog, cat or other pet, plus simple tips on tone, length and what to avoid.
Coping with grief
Losing a dog can feel like losing a family member, because it is. A compassionate guide to what grief can look like and what helps, from the first night to the months after.
Coping with grief
Losing a cat leaves a quiet kind of grief. Learn what you may feel, why guilt is so common, how to look after yourself and your other pets, and ways to remember your cat.
Supporting someone else
A practical guide to supporting a friend, family member or coworker after a pet dies, with wording that helps, phrases to avoid, text message examples and ways to show up.
Coping with grief
Many people feel guilt, doubt and second-guessing after choosing euthanasia for a pet. Understand why these feelings are so common and find gentle ways to carry them.
Coping with grief
There is no set timeline for pet grief. Learn what the first weeks, months and years can look like, why grief comes in waves, and when it may help to ask for more support.
Memorials and keepsakes
Not sure what to do with your pet's ashes? Explore thoughtful options for keeping, scattering, burying or turning them into a keepsake, plus practical notes on rules, timing and cost.
Children and pet loss
How to tell a child that a pet has died. Age-by-age guidance, sample words, what to avoid, how to help them say goodbye, and when to check in with a professional.
Memorials and keepsakes
Simple, heartfelt ways to remember a dog, cat or other pet at home, from a memory shelf and paw print keepsakes to planting a garden, writing a letter or holding a small ceremony.
If it helps, take a moment to light a small candle in memory of a pet you love or have lost. You can add their name if you like. Nothing is saved, collected or sent anywhere, and your candle will go out when you leave or refresh this page.
We write from a place of care, not authority. Our articles offer general information and comfort, not veterinary, medical or mental health advice. Please read our disclaimer, and see about us to learn who is behind this site.
