Writing a card for a special occasion can feel like one of the hardest things in the world. Many of us default to standard phrases—then stop—because we want it to sound personal, not generic.
Some people seem to find this easier than others. But in truth, they may simply be more practiced. These are often individuals who invest deliberately in relationships and have written more cards over time. They still find it hard—but they do it anyway.
And some cards are harder than others.
Expressing sympathy after the loss of a beloved companion animal is one of those moments where words matter deeply. It’s a time to be especially thoughtful, empathetic, and sincere.
To make this a little easier, we’ve gathered phrases from some of the most meaningful cards we’ve seen—written by clinics just like yours—and built them into a helpful pop-up tool on the Rainbow Box platform. It’s there when you need inspiration.
We also pre-fill the message box with a customized default for your clinic, giving you a solid starting point to edit or personalize further.
Some teams find a message that resonates and use it often—and that’s perfectly okay. We sometimes hesitate to repeat ourselves, worried it might feel less meaningful. But a great message remains great if it's relevant and genuine. After all, the recipient sees it just once. A beloved book printed a million times is still a deeply personal experience for each reader.
The most important part of card writing? Actually doing it.
In conversations with clinics, 96% tell me they send a card to every grieving pet owner. I genuinely believe that’s the intention. But in practice, that’s often not what happens—and understandably so. Time constraints, emotional fatigue, and the urgent pace of clinic life get in the way.
That’s why we’ve built these tools: to help make a meaningful gesture just a little easier to follow through on—so the intention becomes action, and every grieving client feels seen and supported.