"The Rainbow"

PET LOSS
TRACKS IN THE SAND

We love our animals so much, and it's so hard to let them go. The loss of any beloved pet has a drastic impact on our lives and is equal to or worse than that of losing a human family member. Losing a little one causes extreme anguish and sorrow. This is a natural reaction when you lose a loved one, whether human or animal; and the stages of mourning are the same. Grievers feel the identical shock and denial, anger and guilt, sorrow and depression.

Yes, it is okay to cry! It's okay to grieve over your loss. You have the right to grieve because you've lost a loyal companion and a best friend. You've lost a family member who gave you unconditional love and acceptance. You've lost the one who loved you no matter what you did or didn't do.

Anger and guilt are natural, but you must allow yourself to go through all the reaction stages of death: denial & disbelief, anger, guilt, depression, and finally, acceptance. There is no order to these stages. Be sure each person in the family, including children, is allowed to share their grief.

If it bothers you to see your pet's belongings, you might want to put them out of sight so you are not constantly reminded of your loss. After a while, when you are feeling stronger, you can bring them out again.

To help yourself overcome the sorrow and grief you are feeling, have some kind of burial ceremony to say goodbye to your dear angel. If you have other pets, they are most likely grieving also. Let them be a part of it all. Write a eulogy to say how much you loved your little one and tell about all the good times and happiness you shared. Talk about your pain and loss to someone else who will understand what you are going through. Other people who have also lost a pet are the ones most likely to offer you their comfort and support because they know the horrible pain it causes. In times when the pain feels unbearable, focus on all the good memories. Use pictures and some of your little one's favorite belongings to create a special remembrance. Use your angel's tags as a necklace, or put them on a key chain. Go for a walk or call a friend on the telephone to fill the time you usually spent with your precious one. Do something you think your sweet baby would like for you to be doing at this moment. Look through the pictures you have of your darling and remember all the love and happy times you shared. Remember, too, that our little loves are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge.

After the tears have dried and you are feeling somewhat normal again, consider getting another pet. Nothing can ever replace the precious little life you've lost, but another pet can become a dear friend to share your love and your life. Our cherished ones give so much love and happiness to us in their lifetimes that I feel we are obligated to pass that love on to other animals who desperately need homes. Who knows? One of those furry little babies might just fill a small part of the huge hole in your heart.

Our pets are a gift from heaven, but we don't get to keep them nearly long enough!

Visit my Rainbow Angel HOLLY

---

"Grief is the obverse of happiness. They are two sides of a single coin,
and only the vulnerable know either."--Irving Townsend

---

If you want, you can go to the
MESSAGE BOARD
and write about your precious little ones.

---

 

---

Pet Loss Chat Room
from Memorials for Pets

---

These wonderful people will pray for you and your pets anytime there is a need!

---

---

PET LOSS LINKS

"After All, He Was Only A Pet..." When being strong hurts more than grieving can Agape Pet Bereavement Australian based pet support Animals In Our Hearts A wonderful website from Teresa L. Wagner, author of "Legacies Of Love" Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Non-profit org. to help people who are grieving for a beloved pet At the Loss of a Pet or Other Animal A Service of Grieving from The Reverend Robert E. Stiefel, Ph.D. Canines of America $ Memorials... Donation fee Cat Heaven Poem by Cynthia Rylant dedicated to Caps, Nick, and Edward VelvetPaws Cat Paintings Dedicated to Rainbow Bridge cat angels--Heavenly! Coping With the Loss of a Pet Page from the HomeVet site Death, Dying, and Bereavement Info and resources from About.com Do Dogs Go To Heaven? Literature about dogs in heaven Dog Heaven $ Beautiful site... Fee for photo memorial (a portion goes to charity) Dog Paintings Dedicated to the dogs who have gone... Gone to Dog Star Place a star for your dog...free Grief Healing A beautiful site for comfort and understanding from Martha Merritt Tousley Having to Say Goodbye Story and poetry Healing and Inspirational Poetry Wonderful list of pet loss poems Helping Your Cat Deal with the Loss of a Companion This page from CatStuff provides some very good tips In Memory of Action Cat Memorial page to a well-known, much loved and missed cat In Memory Of Pets Tribute pages for our loving pets...free In Memory of Shannon Beautiful and touching memorial to a beloved dog Laurie's Rainbow Bridge Beautiful poetry and personal tributes Lightning Strike Pet-Loss support page...excellent Our Pals: Pet and Animal Lovers Service For support, assistance, and information Pet Loss--American Veterinary Medical Assoc. Advice on pet loss and euthanasia Pet Loss Grief Support Rainbow Bridge & Monday Candle Ceremony...add your pet free Pet Memorial Page Poems and tributes...add your pet's name free Pet Memorials Direct Create a FREE online pet memorial Pet Memories Online Create a memorial for your pet...No charge Pet Rest Gardens Large pet cemetery web site on the net Portrait of an Angel "Must-see" BEAUTIFUL site with original poetry from the heart Rainbow Bridge Wonderful page from Earth Renewal Rainbow Bridge Memorial Dedication page--Add YOUR pet ...free Rainbow Pet Memorial A free memorial site for Rainbow Angels Rainbows Bridge $ Fee for Residency -- Portion goes to a shelter Sometimes, grief comes unexpectantly Article by columnist Peter Leo Super Dog's Pet Loss Source of pet loss comfort Tardy's Legacy How one grieving pet owner coped with her loss Time to Let Go Good page by Sarah Hartwell/Cats Protection League Tribute to the Black Cat Wonderful poem by Lori Souders Virtual Pet Cemetery Submit your pet's epitaph...donation Virtual Pet Memorial Free tribute site for any and all pets

Toll-free help can be yours by calling:
1-888-ISU-PLSH
(1-888-478-7574)
This is a Pet Loss Support Hotline that is hosted by
the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

or the Grief Recovery Hotline:
1-800-445-4808
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Pacific Time

---

---

(If you have a memorial page for your pet, you can join...)

PET MEMORIAL WEB RINGS

Birdie Angels Bright Stars Forever Forever Friends Heaven's Playground Pet Memorial-Pet Memorial Webring Sweet Memories

---

MEMORIAL & PET LOSS PRODUCTS

A Gift of Poetry Original poetry to convey a message from the heart Acknowledgements Specializing in beautiful and unique sympathy gifts honoring the loss of an animal companion Always Remembered Pet Memorials Pet memorials carved in stone or glass Angel Ashes Pet urns that include traditional wood, beautiful angel figurines, & urns that look like books Animals In Our Hearts Legacies of Love audiobook - guide to healing Animals and the Afterlife A comforting book about the afterlife of loved and lost animal family members Cat Memorials Suncatchers, plaques, cards with name, years, breed Cheers' Pottery Pet Urns One of a kind pet urns and memorial markers which you help to create Cold Noses At The Pearly Gates A book to help you cope with pet loss and answer questions about pet afterlife Dog Memorials Suncatchers, plaques, cards with name, years, breed Engraved Reflections Offer a wide variety of pet memorials for every budget Everlife Memorials for Pet Loss Pet urns, grave markers, cremation jewelry and a wide assortment of other pet memorial products Family Pet Urns & Caskets Create a unique pet urn or choose a pet casket for a special pet Forever Pets Pet cremation urns Forget-Me-Not Keepsakes Beautiful cremation urns with bronze statue and name plate Grateful Dog Designs Customized Rainbow Bridge photo memorial of your pet Miracle Chicken Urns Unique hand carved personalized pet urns and miniatures My Cherished Pet Pet loss products, urns, memorials, caskets Paws to Heaven Unique cremation urns and a variety of memorial items Pet Memorial Jewelry Keep your angel close to your heart with jewelry Pet Memorials Direct Professionally crafted granite markers, quality urns, and durable pet caskets Plaques & More Pet memorial garden plaques -- FREE UPS Ground Shipping! Reflections Memorial Gifts Cards, jewelry, coffee mugs, and more Super Dog Pet Memorials Physical tokens to embody our lasting memories Whisper in the Heart Purchase a beautiful pendant to keep your baby "WITH" you

The mention of a company or product does not constitute endorsement, but is solely for informational purposes.
We are in no way associated with any company or product referenced above.

---

FREE PET LOSS EMAIL CARDS

Bird Loss Sympathy Cards

Dog Loss Sympathy Cards

Ferret Loss Sympathy Cards

Horse Sympathy Cards

Pet Loss Sympathy Cards

Pet Sympathy Cards from "Tracks"

Rainbow Rise Pet Sympathy Card Shoppe

RatMouse Pet Loss Cards

Sunrise Pet Sympathy Cards

---

        



This candle burns forever in memory of all Rainbow Bridge Angels!
"If you've lost your precious and beloved pet, I am so sorry!"

---

The Pet Loss Guestbook

Tracks in the Sand

View the Guestbook

Sign the Guestbook

---

Please sign one of the books!
(There are two in case one isn't working.)

---

The Pet Loss Dreambook

READ      SIGN

---

Thank You!

Original midi composition
"The Rainbow"
Copyright © 1997-2007 by Bruce DeBoer
Used with permission

---

Thank you for visiting!

You are more than welcome to use the above banner to LINK back to this page.
Right click mouse to save image. Upload to YOUR server. Thanks!

Pet Loss ~ Tracks in the Sand	Pet Loss Message Board
In Loving Memory of Holly	Holly's Photo Album
Cat Loss Sympathy Postcards	Pet Loss Card Links