August 28th is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day and is a special day for us to remember and honor the memories of pets we’ve lost. The Rainbow Bridge refers to an other-worldly place where pets go upon death, eventually to be reunited with their families. While losing a pet is an awful experience, it is important to remember that you’ve given your pet a wonderful life. There are so many cats and dogs left in shelters each and every day, and while we always wish our pets could live longer, it’s helpful knowing that we helped them in some small way.
The Humane Society of the United States offers some helpful tips for coping with the loss of a pet. Their tips include:
- Prepare a memorial for your pet.
- Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
- Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem, essay, or short story.
- Call your veterinarian or local humane society to see whether they offer a pet-loss support group or hotline, or can refer you to one.
- Don’t hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear. Do a little research online and you’ll find hundreds of resources and support groups that may be helpful to you.
Of course, each person copes with loss differently– but it’s important to know that you have a support system out there! It’s not easy, but plenty of folks have dealt with pet loss as well and can help you through this tough time. It’s also important to recognize that, if you have other pets in the household, they too may be suffering from the loss of their furry friend. Be sure to pay special attention to surviving pet siblings and keep their routine as close to normal as possible.
From books and meetings to online forums and events, there are plenty of opportunities to cope with this loss. Some folks find comfort in volunteering at animal shelters, while others decide to rescue another pet not long after suffering a loss. You can never replace a lost pet, but you can give the gift of a good home to another in need.
Honor the memory of your pet by sharing his or her story in the comments below. We’d love to know what pets are running around with ours over the Rainbow Bridge. We are sending you tons of hugs and we hope you know the family here at Puff and Fluff is always here for you!