I’m overwhelmed in a good way about the outpouring of well wishes and condolences that I received when I mentioned the death of Prissy, our family cat of 19/1/2 years. My family and I appreciate your thoughts in our time of sorrow.
This has been a difficult week thinking about Prissy. I’ve learned that grief can’t be turned off and on like a faucet. My family and I realize that this hurt feeling will linger and that we need to be patient and process our feelings in our own way. The support of each other as well as others help us cope.
Our compassionate Vet, Dr. Laura Kee, who helped us with Prissy’s transition, offered us a list of grieving resources. It’s my hope that this will be helpful to you.
List of Pet Grieving Resources
Websites
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/outreach/pet-loss-support-hotline
Pet Loss Books
Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz
Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty Carmack
Coping With Sorrow on the loss of Your Pet by M. Anderson
Pet Loss and Human Bereavement by W. Kay
Tibertan Book of Living & Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
Kindred Spirit, Kindred Care: Making Health Decisions on Behalf of Our Animal Companions by Shannon F. Nakaya, DVM
It’s Okay To Cry by M.L. Quintana
P.S. I Love You by Sarah Chauncy She was so overwhelmed with grief when she lost her 20 year old cat that she wrote a book about it. It’s an illustrated book for adults grieving a companion cat. (Book to be released soon). She also has a Facebook page with the same name. She discusses the importance of acknowledging our feelings when we lose a beloved pet, cat or other.
Books for Children
When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
A Rainbow Bridge for Gus: A Story about the loss of a pet by Barbara Bareis Rigabar
The Berenstain Bears Lose A Friend by Stan & Jan Berenstain with Mike Berenstain
Tissue Alert! This poem will tug at your heartstrings!
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven lies the Rainbow Bridge.
When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge. It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful, lush meadows of green.
Our pets do not thirst or hunger. The old and sick are made young once more; the maimed and the ill become healed and strong. They are as healthy and playful as we remember them in days gone by.
Though happy and content, they still miss someone very special, someone they had to leave behind.
Together, the animals chase and play, but the day comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance…bright eyes intent, eager body quivering. Suddenly recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green fields and into your embrace.
You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate. Happy tears and kisses are warm and plenty; your hands caress the face you missed.
You look once more into the loving eyes of your pet and know you never really parted. You realize that though out of sight, your love had been remembered.
And then, you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Author Unknown
Did you cry as much as I did after reading this poem? I’m interested in any thoughts or comments that you have.
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