More than just a pet, she was your playmate and trusted confidante. He was your child and faithful pal. That's why, in addition to handling the necessary arrangements following your pet's death, you may want to offer a lasting tribute to such a special friend. Gestures of remembrance, large or small, provide comfort by celebrating a pet's life and the incredible power of the bond between humans and animals.
Honoring Your Pet's Memory The death of an animal friend can be one of life's most difficult experiences. Although Western cultures have few traditions for paying last respects to departed companion animals, there are many meaningful ways to memorialize your beloved pet.
How can I honor the memory of my pet?
• Hold a memorial service at a pet cemetery, in your backyard, or in a place that was special to your animal companion.
• Add an inscription to your pet's gravestone.
• Find a special urn for your pet's ashes.
• Create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flower bed in your yard.
• Contact a pet cemetery or community park to see if you can sponsor a bench or tree affixed with an acknowledgment plaque memorializing your pet.
• Frame a photo of your pet and put it in a special place.
• Keep your pet's favorite toy, collar, blanket, or bowl as a symbol of your pet.
• Create a scrapbook or collage with photos and other reminders of your pet.
• Volunteer at an animal shelter to help other pets.
• Participate in on-line memorials and candle-lighting ceremonies.
• Write a poem or story about your pet or write a letter to him.
• When the time is right, adopt another pet from your local animal shelter or humane society.
Source: The Humane Society of the United States
Great sites to help you through your loss
Lightning Strike (Offering a "cybershoulder" for grieving pet owners)
Grief Healing (Marty Tousley RN, MS, CS - A place where people can come and gain some understanding of the complex and deep feelings of grief after suffering the loss of a pet in their life.)
Rex is a wise dog who, like dogs everywhere, loves children and wants them to be happy. Rex speaks directly to the child in each story to help him or her through painful encounters. Just as in adult life, childhood lessons regarding love, loss, death and recovery often come through animal companions.
A veil is lifted and the scales fall from our eyes when we become aware that life is a precious, fragile gift. When we become better at recognizing and dealing with loss, we can experience far less daily frustration and far more daily acceptance and joy. In this book, Rex, the German Shepherd, talks to parents and children heart to heart, about their sadness, grief, anger, guilt and recovery from loss. As parents, teachers, counselors, relatives and friends, we can help young children, to prepare for challenges we know they will have to face. Take a pro-active approach to loss. Everyone has the opportunity to do a profound amount of good.
A Gift From Rex
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More than just a pet, she was your playmate and trusted confidante. He was your child and faithful pal. That's why, in addition to handling the necessary arrangements following your pet's death, you may want to offer a lasting tribute to such a special friend. Gestures of remembrance, large or small, provide comfort by celebrating a pet's life and the incredible power of the bond between humans and animals.
