Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together Author unknown Read the Candle Ceremony Information Page Translations: On Monday evenings all across the globe we light candles in memory of our pets who have gone on to Rainbow Bridge.
It is a very healing ritual with no adherence to any religion or creed, just a simple lighting of candles to bring us all together. While there is an on-line Ceremony in our Chat Room every Monday, the Candle Ceremony does not have to be done on-line. Each of us can light our candles in our own way, and privately, but since we share a common love and since most of us do light them at the same time, we are joined in love and in spirit. Candle lighting times are We also have online lists of the pets we honor in the Monday Candle Ceremony: The Bridgelist for those pets who have passed on to the Rainbow Bridge and the Special Needs list for those pets who are ill or have special physical needs.
You are invited to add your pets to these lists at no cost to you. Add a Tribute to your pet View the Tribute Pages. This safe, monitored, Message Board is available for anyone who is grieving the loss of a pet or an ill pet and wants to communicate with others in the same situation. Remember: Anything else that helps you get your thoughts and feelings out of your mind and into the open will help. Externalizing your internal process and thoughts will be a big help in enabling you to work through your feelings and to move through the stages of grief.
Read our listings of Pet Poems and Stories that other pet parents suffering from loss have submitted here. Then, your days are going to start getting better. It will get better over time, but it can take a while to get there. Give yourself time to grieve If you have a job, family responsibilities or some other duties that keep you busy throughout the week, it can help to take some time away from them. You may want to ask for time off work to give yourself time to go through the grief process and to cope with what has happened.
You may not be feeling okay by the next day or the next week, and you will need some space and some time to process your emotions and to deal with all the feelings you are having. If possible, taking time off from work is a good idea.
I felt guilty for not spending more time with Sophie at the end doing all those things I thought I should be doing with her in her final days and hours.
There are all those articles about doing their favorite activities, feeding them their favorite meals or creating a special last day. I loved her right up until the end. That was enough. I did my best. Your love and your best are enough too. You might be drawn to that idea. Years ago, I opted out of being there for a couple of our dogs for various reasons. Really, it is. There are a lot of reasons why the hurt might be deeper and harder to bear. Some are ready right away and others need time — a little or perhaps a lot.
Some choose never to get another pet. I respect it. When Dad was in hospice care, while taking Sophie for a walk one day, I struck up a conversation with a guy who was also visiting a loved one. I get that; I do. To me, it is worth the heartache. Very much worth it. You also likely fully realize inevitable pain will come one day too soon when you have to say goodbye. That pain will make you question if it is worth giving your heart away again. Finally, imagine my surprise one cold January day last winter when I discovered a surprise package in my mailbox.
Inside was a beautiful mini portrait of Sophie hand-painted by a kind dear reader. There were tears. Yes, of course, there were; but they were good tears. I love it. Our Other Cancer Companions. Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs. Have you ever felt guilty about grieving for your pet more than a person? Do you have a tip for coping with pet grief?
The veterinarian may administer a tranquilizer first to relax your pet. Following the injection of the euthanasia drug, your pet will immediately become unconscious. Death is quick and painless. Be honest. Start by explaining that your pet is ill, suffering badly, and that you have the ability to end that suffering in a very humane and gentle way. The injection is a very peaceful and painless process for your pet. Sometimes, when you really love a pet, you have to make these kinds of difficult decisions to spare the animal from more pain and suffering.
There are many wonderful reasons to once again share your life with a companion animal , but the decision of when to do so is a very personal one. You may want to start by volunteering at a shelter or rescue group. Some retired seniors living alone may find it hardest to adjust to life without a pet. If taking care of an animal provided you with a sense of purpose and self-worth as well as companionship, you may want to consider getting another pet at an earlier stage.
Of course, seniors also need to consider their own health and life expectancy when deciding on a new pet. American Psychiatric Association. Depressive Disorders.
Zisook, S. Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know. World Psychiatry, 8 2 , 67— Stroebe, M. Health outcomes of bereavement. The Lancet, , — Simon, N. Informing the symptom profile of complicated grief. Depression and Anxiety, 28 2 , — Corr, C. Enhancing the Concept of Disenfranchised Grief. Cordaro, Millie. Coping With Death of Pet — Understanding pet loss grief and how to cope with the pain and sadness. End of Life Care — Coping with the impending loss of a pet. The Humane Society of the United States.
Euthanasia of a Beloved Pet — Better understand and deal with euthanasia. The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. How to Walk a Shelter Pet — Article about walking shelter dogs. Also offers a directory of shelters and rescue groups in the U. In the U.
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