Coping with the loss of a pet and the Rainbow Bridge poem
/As Toronto a pet photographer, I am frequently called upon to take photos of a dog or cat who is ill and nearing the end of their life. I’ve also sadly had to say goodbye to many of my own. So I’m very familiar with the range of feelings and emotions that comes along with losing a beloved pet!
Losing a pet can be one of the most heart-wrenching experiences in life.
This article provides valuable insights and strategies to help you cope with the profound grief that comes with the loss of a beloved pet.
Whether you're seeking guidance on finding closure, memorializing your furry friend, or simply looking for emotional support during this challenging time, we're here to assist you on your journey towards healing.
Recognize that not everyone deals with grief in the same way, so you may find that some of the following tips may be of value to you, others not so much.
I hope you find some ideas to help you through a difficult time and for those not currently dealing with the loss of a pet, bookmark this article, as you never know when you may need it.
Scroll all the way to the end to read the “Rainbow Bridge” Poem.
1.Give yourself permission to grieve
Non-pet lovers may say things like “it was only a pet!” or “you can always get another one!” But recognise that grieving for the loss of a pet is natural. Ignore the statements from ignorant people.
For anyone who has lost a pet that they love dearly it’s okay to be sad, cry, take some time off work if necessary. When I have lost dogs in the past I have been very upset for a long time and for many months or even years afterwards when I think of them I will feel sadness.
2.Take your time
Please do not think or feel pressure that you need to “get over it” in a hurry. Allow the healing process to take it’s course! Accepting the loss is not something to be rushed and hiding our feelings is neither healthy nor helpful!
3.Talk about your pet!
Find friends or family members, or even a support group who are caring and understanding, or who have suffered a similar loss and talk to them.
Talking about your pet and the happy times you shared can be extremely helpful. Remember what you loved about them, the cute things they did and the wonderful memories you have.
You will find many support groups on-line or in Facebook groups who will completely understand what you are feeling because they have lost pets too.
4.Capture your memories
This is where your pet photographer becomes invaluable!
I truly hope that you are reading this before you have lost your best friend because once they are gone it is too late!
Get wonderful photographs taken of your pet throughout their lives. Find a photographer who will capture your dog or cat’s personality, and have photos taken together with you, so you will always have cherished memories.
When they pass on, looking over these images can be so comforting. Consider getting a photobook or album from your most cherished photos that is always on hand when you wish to remember your pet!
Hire a pet photographer before that day comes and you regret not having done so!
Preserve your memories with images that capture your pet's spirit and document your special bond.
5.Hold a ceremony
Some type of ceremony is often helpful. This may be a simple as saying a few words to yourself, to inviting friends over to remember your dog or cat, or scattering their ashes in a special place. Consider creating a memorial, such as a scrapbook, or planting a tree in your pet's memory. The important thing is that you get to say your goodbyes.
For some of my dogs I opted to have a private cremation so that I could get their ashes back. Another is buried in a dog cemetery where I was able to say my goodbyes.
6.Volunteer
Don’t feel you have to rush in to getting another pet. Perhaps volunteer at an animal shelter for a while to get your pet “fix” but feel good about helping others in need!
7.Get a rescue animal
You will know when the time is right to get another pet. When that time comes consider rescuing a pet from a shelter or rescue organization. From the loss of one pet, so much happiness can be brought to another who may be sent to a kill shelter or who has been abandoned.
There is something about helping another that is tremendously uplifting. Remember that you will always love the pet you lost but you have so much love in your heart to give to another!
8.Find some comfort in the words of the The Rainbow Bridge poem
The Rainbow Bridge poem by an unknown author, is commonly shared among the pet owning community. It stems from the premise that when our pets die, they go to a wonderful, happy place called the “rainbow bridge” where they wait for us.
The words are extremely heartening and have helped many, including myself, to express their feelings and feel comfort.
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. 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."
Coping with the loss of a pet is an individual journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Remember that it's entirely normal to experience a range of emotions during this time. By allowing yourself to grieve, seeking support, and honoring your pet's memory, you can gradually find healing and solace in the cherished memories of your beloved companion.
If you are here because your pet’s final days are imminent and you would like to find out about an end-of-life pet photo session in the Toronto area, contact me right away before it is too late. I always make time in my schedule for those emergency sessions!
A veterinary nutrition “expert” claims that only kibble can reliably meet all of a pet’s nutritional needs, arguing that its precise formulation ensures a balanced diet. In recent years, many people have moved away from traditional kibble in favour of human-grade, lightly cooked food diets for their pets. This shift isn’t just a trend—there are numerous benefits to feeding pets real, whole foods that are minimally processed.