Grief Support & Rainbow Bridge

When you have experienced the joys of bringing an animal into your life, it is beyond magical. You form a bond with them, a bond which exists through out eternity, and you love.....perhaps more deeply than you've loved a human. You find yourself a better person, for our "pets" are our greatest teachers, loving us regardless of our faults, never judging, always accepting us as we are...imperfect, we are human. They become our best friends, our companions and "fur covered children"....and when the time comes to say good bye, it is always devasting. Sometimes we are gifted with many years, sometimes only a short while....but the time given to us, is something so special, we are truely blessed with their presence.

The emotions we feel in our grief are completely normal. I have found it to be like a roller coaster, with many ups and downs....so many bumps, and twists along the way. There is no right or wrong way to grieve...some feel angry, some cry, some just keep it in...no matter how we do it, we do it our way, and that is right for you. Some will say time heals all.....I do not believe that is the case, however time helps the pain lessen. When you love as deeply as we do, you grieve deeply....and that hurt leaves a scar upon your heart, which is slowly mended with happier memories....and eventually, you will find yourself smiling more. Don't ever feel guilty for healing, remember...our beloved furbabies would never want us to hurt, but to be happy...as that is what they've always wanted.

In the back of our minds, we know that inevitably..when we bring them into our lives, one day we must say good bye. But we cannot dwell on this fact, for if we were to never allow ourselves the hurt...we would never experience the great joy, the unconditonal unwavering love they offer so freely...we would never know them. There is no greater loss, than never having that kind of love in our hearts.

~Pet Loss Sympathy E-Cards

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....

Author unknown...