Whether you lost your canine companions last week, last year, or even years ago, their memory is surely still alive. While people in your life without pets may not always understand, you know that the grief over a pet that’s passed away can be as deep and as acute as that for a human loved one.
Author Deborah Barnes started Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day to give all pet-lovers a day to share memories of beloved pets that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are waiting for us there. The event is on Aug. 28; a time to celebrate the life of the dogs that have brought us joy, unconditional love, comfort, and laughter through the years.
The death of a beloved pet, whether furry, feathered, or an uncommon variety, is felt deeply. They become family and a familiar part of our lives. Mourning their death is different for everyone, and the observance provides a way to help heal the ache of loss.
The pain of loss is real. As each person travels through their grief, we remember the companionship and comfort they provided to us. Don’t forget that part of the relationship included care provided by you. The empty space left by the loss of a beloved pet is sometimes a difficult void to overcome.
Celebrate the home you provided and the joy your beloved pet brought you in return. When you are ready, you will know the time has arrived to find a new ‘critter’ to replace the emptiness felt. There are many animals yet to find a home. In time, you can be their new home.
There are so many ways to grieve and pay tribute to loved ones, and your own process will be deeply personal. These suggestions are simply meant to help inspire you to memorialize your cats in a way that brings you comfort and helps you move on, but never forget.
Have a Ceremony
Sometimes the process of losing pets is painful and happens so fast that we don’t have time to catch our breath and hold a proper memorial service. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day can be a chance to set aside some time to make up for that.
A memorial service doesn’t need to be anything elaborate. It can just be you and your family, or maybe a few friends, who were particularly fond of the pet you lost. Share stories, appreciate your loved ones, and grieve together. If you are holding onto your pet’s ashes and have been meaning to spread them, this might be a good opportunity to do that.
Share Good Memories
It can be heartbreaking to talk about the pets that we’ve lost, but rather than focusing on the pain, we should remember the good times and share those positive memories with others.
Before the pain of loss, your pet gave you a lifetime of love and happiness, and one way to honor that love is by sharing and never forgetting it.
Your positive stories may encourage others who are afraid of losing a beloved pet to realize that having an animal your life is worth it, and it may help them make the choice to adopt and save another life.
Create Something
Many people find comfort in expressing themselves through art or other creative outlets.
Whether or not you feel that you have a creative talent, try making something that will help you pay tribute to your pet. It can be a drawing, painting, poem, song, video, story, or even just a collection of thoughts that you write down. You can use woodworking, stitching, or any other skills you have, but just try to make something.
You’d be surprised how cathartic and comforting it can be to put your thoughts and emotions into creating, and you’ll be left with a lasting memorial that has very special meaning to you.
Carry A Tribute
You may want to remember your pet by always having something that reminds you of them close by.
A locket with a picture inside, a bracelet or piece of jewelry that reminds you of your pet, or even a picture in your wallet can be valuable reminders of the love and good times you shared, and it may be a visual symbol that part of your pet is always with you.
Just make sure you have copies of all pictures you use in case you lose your wallet or jewelry. Some people choose to even get tattoos so they always have a memorial with them, no matter what.
If that’s not your style, that’s fine, too. Everyone has their own way of remembering their loved ones.
Look Into Adopting Another Pet
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve had another pet. The pain of loss might make it seem like opening your heart again isn’t worth it. I certainly wouldn’t rush anyone who is grieving to feel like they need to replace another animal immediately, or to just “get over it.” If you need time, that’s fine. But when you are ready, consider sharing your home and your love with another creature.
Adopting a new pet can be a great way to honor your beloved pet’s memory, and you’d be saving a life.
Too many animals live without loving forever families, and any one of them would be so happy to even get a fraction of the love you felt for your lost pet. Bringing new life into your home is a great way to honor those you’ve lost.
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