Pet Grief and Loss: A Place of Refuge

27/10/2024

I found this true of dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, lizards, and so forth. All creation connects. I think we are so privileged to have animals in our lives. 💖💖

05/07/2024

The loss of our beloved pets is just that, a profound loss, and the grief is very real. Here, in this space, we get understand. Living without our babes creates a void. The waves of grief hurt. The tears seem endless. And yet the memories they leave us, make us smile. May the smiles ease the pain.

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27/10/2023

Let's celebrate our black beauties today. It's national black cat day!
https://www.fourpawsusa.org/campaigns-topics/topics/companion-animals/national-black-cat-day #:~:text=October%2027%20is%20National%20Black,left%20behind%20at%20animal%20shelters.

21/04/2023

I read this thinking how the words speak of grief when we experience the loss of our beloved fur babes. Love with no place to go.

03/07/2022

Second day without my sweet cat Dennis. The house is empty, I still see him in his bed, on the cat tree. Everywhere. I did get to hold him in my arms as he crossed over, I cried so hard. I still do. We here know the pain of losing our little beloved friends. Grief is hard. The emptiness is hard. The silence is hard. I'm glad there is a safe place to share the bitterness of loss with people who understand. I know you're having fun and meeting new friends, but wow I miss you 😔

30/06/2022

Today is a hard day. Tomorrow morning we have an appointment to assist our beloved cat, part of our family, Dennis over the rainbow bridge. It's a hard day knowing that he has hours to sit on my lap, hours to look at me with those big eyes, hours to sit in his favorite sunny place.
When I look at him, I know he trusts me. So there are moments when I feel as if I'm betraying him somehow. He's 18 and skinny, yet that's not what I see. I see him goofy, doing zoomies, acting his silly self, like this picture. But, that's not how he is anymore. He tired, worn and ready. At times, I think he knows and he's ready. I'm not. I never will be. Pet guardianship is hard. Today is a hard day.

29/10/2021

15/09/2021

It's that special time of year again. Trinity UCC in Canton, OH is having an animal blessing on October 3rd! Bring your critters or bring/send a picture. In typical UCC fashion, All Are Welcome🐾💖🐾🦊🐔🦆🐥🐴🦄🐍🐿🦨🦃🐈🐷🐸🐧🐦🦖etc.......

08/09/2021

What do you say to a dear friend when their beloved friend's time has come to cross the Bridge? We live over a thousand miles away from each other and can't hold each other in grief and loss. Skeeter was a sweet and joyful soul. Always ready to greet with a smile (literally) and made you feel like you were the most special person on the planet. Oh, little one you are so missed by your pet guardian, the difficult decision to let you go was so hard. And yet, as guardians we have to remember that letting go is the final gift we can give you. You are missed, you are loved. We will all run together through the meadows again. Until we meet, have a wonderful time with all those that are waiting patiently for us. Love you wee one. 🐾

28/08/2021

A blessed Rainbow Bridge Day. For those who are waiting for us

07/08/2021

Recently, after sharing that I was a Pet Chaplain, I had someone respond, "Is that really a thing? Why would someone need to grieve over a pet?" Broke my heart. I did ask this person if they had owned pets and the answer was yes, but we just moved on.
For me, I have had several pets. As a pet guardian, I find it very difficult to just move on. Each one, deeply rooted into my life, giving of themselves so much in companionship, life lessons and love. Lots and lots of love. When one of my beloveds pass, I am left devastated and grieve deeply in the emptiness and loss. At the time, I vow never to get that attached again. And yet, another babe shows up to adopt me and I willingly accept.
I was sad about this person's response. First, I believe grief is healthy. It hurts like hell, like a knife piercing the heart. But without grief there would have been no love. I would rather choose love. My pets are way more than just something there, something to feed, something to endure. I get deeply attached. Second, I do move on but a part of me has left with my companion. I will always grieve a little when I think of them. That's the way of pet loss and grief. Grief is normal and healing.
I choose not to just move on. I'm going to embrace memories, I'm going to talk of the stories, I'm going to remember. Yes, I am a Pet Chaplain. Yes, it is a thing. Yes, I deeply care for animals and I deeply care for each pet guardian. And yes, I do believe that every single one of them is waiting until we reach the bridge. Then we will cross together. United again in God's created kingdom for all time.
Until then, I will have more that want to adopt me. I'm okay with that.

03/07/2021

I love how this cat sees what we don't.
https://fb.watch/v/APJdvNmp/

26/06/2021

I had the privilege of assisting a wonderful Veterinarian give the gift of peaceful passing to a client's beloved dog this morning. I am always amazed by her compassion and care in such a painful situation. I am equally amazed at the peaceful transition from this world to the Bridge. So incredibly painful for us, yet such a gift of grace and mercy for them. Go to sleep dear one, we will run together again. Always a part of our souls. ❤

22/06/2021

I found this on a fb post and thought there is so much truth in these words.

07/05/2021

I recently had a friend who made that difficult decision to let their beloved dog go. I was reminded of all the emotions that go with the decision. Profound grief. Guilt for not being able to do more. The heart wrenching emptiness of coming home empty. Anger for allowing myself to connect so deeply. Anger toward God for taking a life so soon. Why God, why. Searching for meaning. These emotions and more can overwhelm a soul. Can overwhelm us with so much pain and loss. My healing is an ongoing process. Some just don't get why I grieve so for a pet? But here in this place, we get it. We get the why it is so hard. We get why the pain continues and is so real. Each of us grieves in their own way in their own time. In this place of refuge, we understand. We are here for each other. Sharing, listening, remembering. We get the loss. We understand, we love.

11/04/2021

Today is National Pet Day. Those that have crossed over will always be our remebered beloved. It's been years, and I miss him still.