If a friend was heartbroken after losing a much-loved pet, what would you say to comfort them?

A natural way to answer

I'd tell them their feelings are completely valid, and that losing a pet is a real loss, not something to brush off. I'd encourage them to remember the good years and not just the ending.

Key phrases to use

• have a timeline — follow a fixed schedule or set length of time“Healing doesn't have a timeline.”
• take it day by day — cope with a hard situation gradually, one day at a time“After the diagnosis, we just took it day by day.”
• bottle it up — keep strong feelings hidden instead of expressing them“Don't bottle it up, talk to someone.”
• knock you sideways — shock or upset you suddenly and powerfully“The news knocked me sideways.”