Unfortunately, most of us who love animals, have lost a pet at one point in our lives. Like losing a human loved one, it's just another painful part of life. And even though we can't bring our animal friends back, we can always relish our memories of the special times we spent together and the love we shared for them.
In honor of yesterday being World Pet Memorial Day, I wanted to share some ways that you can honor and remember your pet pals who've gone on to Rainbow Bridge.
1. Focus on the good times.
Even though you'll always miss your pet, remembering the love and joy they brought into your life can be a comfort when you're feeling the sting of their absence. Of course this is hard when they're passing has been recent, but with enough time, you can laugh and reminisce about the silly and happier times you and your family spent with them.
2. Your memories of the joy your former pets once brought can motivate you to share a similar experience with a new pet.
There will always be animals in shelters deserving of your love, who could help fill the empty space left behind by a deceased pet. And though the new animal could never replace your pet who's passed away, it could allow you to have a new experience to share your home, love, and attention, (and create new memories). Even if don't feel ready to take on, or don't want another pet, you could motivate someone else to be a new pet parent through the positive experiences you once shared with your own pet.
3. You can donate your time and/or make a donation to your local animal shelter.
Even if you don't want to take on another pet, there are other ways you can contribute to improving an animal's life. Animal shelters can always use kind and caring volunteers to feed and walk animals, spend time with them, and much more. And if you have a busy schedule, you can always make a monetary donation that would be greatly appreciated in providing food, keeping utilities paid, and providing medical attention to animals in need.
4. Think about fostering.
Another way you can help animals in need of a home is to foster. Fostering is a win-win situation for you and the animal. It gives the animal much needed love and socialization until a permanent home can be found, and it gives you an opportunity to receive love and companionship from a furry, (or not so furry) friend again. This can be a wonderful way to test the waters to see how you might feel about being a pet parent again. Or if you don't want that commitment, you can still gain the benefits of an animal's love, while knowing you are making a contribution in nurturing them until their fur-ever home is found.
5. Make or pull out an existing scrapbook or photo album of all your special memories.
Once you've gotten over the worst of your grieving, you could honor your pet, by taking your favorite pictures of them and creating a physical or digital photo album, or make a scrap book. It's nice to have these memories all in one place that you can access when you want a quick laugh or positive pick-me-up, or to share with other family members or friends. Videos, recordings, and home movies work well too.
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| Bobbie in contemplation |
6. If you believe in an afterlife, (for humans and pets), you can also find comfort in knowing that you will one day see them again.
Keep waiting at the gate for me guys. I don't wanna see you any time soon; but I still look forward to seeing you! RIP: Bobbie, Practical, Percy, Grady, Giekel, and "Cat" (my cat I had when I was a toddler, that I didn't name).
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| Bobbie AKA Bopper taking a nap |
Until next time,
This is your host J,
signing off...
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| Catching them zzz's (Bobbie loved her naps) |
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