Nick & Stephanie realized, in their own journeys of loving and losing animals, that there was a deep
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.
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.
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 😔
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.
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.......
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. 🐾
A blessed Rainbow Bridge Day. For those who are waiting for us
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.
I love how this cat sees what we don't.
https://fb.watch/v/APJdvNmp/
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. ❤
I found this on a fb post and thought there is so much truth in these words.
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.
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.
Each person's grief is unique as the individual. There is no time-table, there is no quick fix. Grief is hard. Listening is the best balm for your concern. 💖 We miss them so much when they have to say goodbye.
A friend, a beloved ginger boy is crossing the rainbow bridge today. If you have a moment, stop by his page at Andy Scarborough. Please send your love, comfort, strength and peace to his family. We know how hard it is to say goodbye for now. Love to you Andy and family.
For all those that are missing their beloved fur and scaled family this season, may you find peace and comfort today. We love our babes and miss them every day and know the holidays can be hard. You are loved. We remember together.
Dora says happy holidays, I don't think she likes her hat though.
Isn’t this achingly beautiful?
In recent years, the Gothic cathedral became known for the presence of a stray cat, affectionately named Doorkins Magnificat, who made the building her home for 12 years before passing away on September 30.
Pet Blessing Sunday, October 4, 2020
O Lord, what diversity you have created in Your animal kingdom! The earth is so full of Your beloved creatures, large and small. We celebrate today our pets, for their lives, for the joy and love they bring to us. Loving a pet is a beautiful gift. Proverbs 12:10 tells us that it is a righteous thing to care for our pets. This is our prayer today as we remember with grateful hearts:
As pet guardians we ask that You bless our treasured friends, as they are a reflection of Your perfect nature. We thank you granting us the responsibility and the gift of our pets who are our friends and bring so much joy into our lives. Their love, companionship, trust and strength tell us so much about Your great and loving character. May our pets continue to inspire us to be kind, watchful and compassionate as You are with us all. May we realize with this blessing that as our pets are so loved by us, so we are loved by You. In taking care of them we share in Your magnificent love for all creation. Amen. The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made! (Psalm 67 NLT).
Yesterday, my veterinarian and friend had to say goodbye to her beloved basset, Doc. He had lived a wonderful and full life but it was time to say goodbye. After he had crossed over, her other little dog, Tilly came in and laid next him for a long time. She know he had crossed over and was (and still is) in her own grief and loss. You can never tell me that animals don't know about death and dying. This picture speaks ten thousand words about grief, compassion and love. Run free Doc, you will be missed on this side.
This picture came up on my page and I fell in love. Made my heart so happy.
Here’s some joy for you today! Many of you have already seen this — but it’s worth revisiting. Words matter. Love matters.
truth.
Pet smiles. Happy 2020 to everyone.
Every year we make New Year's resolutions in hopes of starting off the new year on the right foot! Whether you are trying to get in shape for 2018 or wanting...
This time of year can be a bit challenging when it comes to missing our fur children. TV, flyers, mailers all reminding us that we may be without our babes this year. I have my memories that are always with me in my heat. I have a couple of pics to share. The dog is Baylor who we lost years ago but the pain of him crossing is always with me. He loved unwrapping his own presents (please excuse the pic quality). Dora, our cat says everything with her face about dressing up for the holidays. Do you have a holiday picture to share with us? Would love to see it!!
A happy Thanksgiving however you celebrate with family and friends. We remember our beloved pet family that are waiting for us to meet again.
What an amazing promise.
Found this today. Made my heart happy.
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/hospice-program-gives-terminally-ill-shelter-animals-a-home-for-their-final-days/89-7f431745-cec8-4145-80f5-88031010b5de?fbclid=IwAR0AjZWFEsJZ99SKlJ1fzhb5WnCEFpuABubSpDFDugXVcLdFc3easXg1GDk
"You have the opportunity to give them the absolute best possible days of their lives."
Reminder that this Sunday, Nov 3rd is our Paws and Remember time. If you can't join us, please let me know if there is that special pet that you would like mentioned and we'll be sure to include them. If you have a picture to share or a story, I'll be sure and share those too.
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