My faithful, loving friend

At night I say goodnight to you

Blow kisses to your grave

My heart is full of memories

And all the love you gave

Your loyalty and faithfulness

Was faultless to the end.

I miss you more than you could know 

my precious, loving friend

Soul-mate - Written and made by Julia Turner

I thought of you today, as the sun rose in the sky

I felt your warmth, your love for me

Like you were by my side..

I thought of you tonight, as darkness cast it's shadow

You curled up at the side of me, your warmth against my feet.

I thought about you yesterday, the day before that too

I called your name and looked for you 

And I whispered "I love you"

I reached down my hand to stroke you

But found an empty space

When I close my eyes and think of you I see your loving face.

My companion, my soul-mate I miss you every day

You filled my life with happiness in a special kind of way

They say time is a healer and as the time goes by

The memories that we made together

will only make me smile...

I hope one day we'll meet again, when my life comes to an end

My soul-mate, my confidant.....My ever loving friend..

~ Julia Turner ~

Remembering your Pet

Our pets are great companions, which is why it is important to find ways to remember our pets when they die. With a little creativity, you can do several things to celebrate your pet’s life.

Looking at pictures of our pets can reduce grief while you mourn the loss of a beloved pet. Currently, there are several options to upload pictures online and obtain a printed album. Some online services provide beautiful covers, attractive lettering and a wide range of materials to choose from. You may also decide to create the album by yourself through scrapbooking. Remember to include all those pedigree certificates and paw prints!

Make a Portrait or Painting
You can make a custom pet portrait out of the best photograph of your pet. This is a lovely way to remember our non-human member of the family. There are several pet drawing and painting tutorials on the internet to get some inspiration. But if you are still not sure of your painting skills, you can engage the services of an artist. Or alternatively you can transfer a picture of your pets onto canvass. 

Store Your Pet’s Remains In An Urn
Urns are now widely used to store a pet’s remains. You can find urns in different sizes to contain all the ashes of your pet and these days are made of various types of materials and shapes. If you don’t mind the extra cost, you may also customise your pet’s urn.

Headstones and Stepping Stones
If you buried your pet in a grave, you can use headstones, pet garden grave markers, or memorial stones to honour and remember your darling pet including 3 dimensional shapes. In addition, you can create memorial stepping stones with quick-drying cement and use a metal scribe to write your own personal message in memory of your pet. 

Create Jewellery
Different kinds of beautiful jewellery items can be produced and customised to include your pet’s pictures and information. Some are even designed to hold a certain quantity of your pet’s hair or ashes so you can always feel that your pet is around you. Some examples include charms, pendants, and necklaces with nose prints and paw prints engraved on silver and gold.

You can also turn the ashes of your pet into a beautiful diamond, however, this is somewhat costly. These companies create the diamond by turning the ashes into 100% pure carbon and placing it in a press.

Hold a Memorial Service
Another nice way to remember your pet is by holding a memorial service with your family members and friends. Choose a venue that suits you, such as your pet’s favourite park, your garden or a place that brings back great memories of the times that you shared with your pet. You may also choose to light a candle for your pet.

Create a Special Video
All of us will have several photographs and video clips of our pets. These can use these to make a commemorative video. Add some text and background music to the clips and pictures. You can do this yourself with simple video editing software or get a professional to do it for you.

Don't Grieve Too Long

Don't grieve too long, for now I'm free.

I've followed the path God has set for me.

I ran to Him when I heard His Call.

I swished my tail and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To bark, to love, to romp or play.

Games left unplanned must stay that way.

I found such peace, it made my day.

My parting has left you with a void.

Please fill it with remembered joy,

A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss.

Oh yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life has been full, you've given so much,

Your time, your love and gentle touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your head and share with me,

God wanted me, He set me free!

Lighting a candle

I am lighting this candle

in memory of my

FURBABY

Rainbow bridge is where all 

our beloved pets reside when 

they pass over.

There is always sunshine,

lots of fields, lots of other

animals to play with and

lots of food and drink.

When we pass over 

our beloved pet waits for 

us here and we cross the 

Rainbow bridge TOGETHER

Myths and facts over grieving for your pet

“It was just a pet”

Myth: You can overcome feelings of sadness by willing yourself to do so.

Fact: You were in a mutually loving relationship, which you felt deeply. It is natural to grieve the loss of a beloved friend and companion.

“Stop crying or talking about it.”

Myth: You are just making yourself feel worse and prolonging your grief.

Fact: Crying is one of Nature’s ways of releasing internal tension by triggering the release of stress-relieving hormones.

Expressing your feelings helps. In fact, if you don’t find healing ways to express your feelings, they will “bottle up” and be expressed in other ways. For example, you may become angry or impatient with others or find yourself crying for “no reason.”

“You should be over it by now.”

Myth: Grief is short-lived.

Fact: Grieving is individual and has no fixed time limit, although its intensity usually diminishes with time. Be patient and tolerant with yourself during the ebb and flow of emotions which follow your loss.

You don’t “get over” a loss. You learn to live with it. You will always feel some sadness when you think of this pet, just as you remember the good times you enjoyed together

Should your feelings of grief significantly affect your personal, professional, social or emotional life for an extended period of time, you should seek professional help.

“Just get yourself a new pet.”

Myth: One animal can easily slip into the place of another.

Fact: A beloved pet who has died cannot be simply “replaced.” A new pet will have its own personality and will relate to you in its own way. The decision about when or even whether to bring a new pet into your life is very individual; it varies from one pet-lover to another and it must reflect the present life-circumstances of each household. There is no “right” time. Give yourself and your family time. You will know if and when you are ready.

The following Facebook group is a great source of comfort if you feel that you need any extra support following the loss of your dog.
RAINBOW PETS

May you always walk

May you always walk with the spirit of your beloved pet by your side

And may the memories keep your heart warm

Message To My Master(s)

The day you laid me down to sleep

you prayed to the Lord; my soul to keep
I know you had to send me on my way
but you sent me to a new; better; and much brighter day

You sent me home; to Heaven above
where I'm cradled in God's arms; covered with His love
I understand what you did; you did out of love
and I'll return that love; from my new home above

My pain is gone; and I'm free here to roam
I run and play in the meadows; here in my new home
We play here by the Bridge; from morning to night
there is no rain here; just warm sunlight

I know you all miss me; I miss you all too
but I'll always be with you; whatever you do
Please wipe the tears; from your weeping eyes
by remembering the good times; from days gone by

When you look out; into the dark of night
I'll be that bright star; your guiding light
We'll meet again at the Bridge one day
when we'll walk in the light; together to stay

Knowing

If I had known that on that day our time was near the end

I would have done things differently, my forever friend.

I would have stayed right next to you deep into the night

but I thought I’d see you in the early morning light.

And so I said “Good night” to you as I walked in through the door

never thinking of the time when I’d see you no more.

But if I had known that on that day our time was at the end

I would have done things so differently, my forever friend.

- Sally Evans (written for Shoo-Fly)

Pet Loss Quotes

“Heartbreak is life educating us.” – George Bernard Shaw

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. ” - Anatole France

“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. ” - Mark Twain

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot

“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” - Vicki Harrison

“No heaven will not ever Heaven be. Unless my cats are there to welcome me.” - Anonymous

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” - Roger Caras

“If I have any beliefs about immortality it is that certain dogs I know will go to heaven, and very very few people.” - James Thurber

“…love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” - Kabil Gibran

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” - Saint Francis of Assisi

“God’s finger touched him, and he slept.” - Alfred, Lord Tennyson

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“It is a fearful thing to love what death can touch.” - Anonymous

“The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.” - Mark Twain

“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.” - Isaac Asimov

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.” - Jack Lemmon

“A pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered.” - Lacie Petitto

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” - Will Rogers

“Don’t cry because it’s over, Smile because it happened.” - Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief. But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.” - Hilary Stanton Zunin

“Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you..I loved you so- ’twas Heaven here with you.” - Isla Paschal Richardson

“Dogs…do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value they have to bequeath except their love and their faith.” - Eugene O’Neill, from his Dalmatian, Blemie’s, last will and testament

Until one has loved an animal,
 a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. 

-Anatole France

All animals, except man, know that the
 principal business of life is to enjoy it.

-Samuel Butler

No one loves you unconditionally
 as your beloved pet.

-Cynthia S. Dobesh

Dogs are not our whole life,
 but they make our lives whole.

-Roger Caras

Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
 may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

-Author Unknown

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him
and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.

-Samuel Butler

Don’t cry because it’s over, Smile because it happened.

-Dr. Seuss

May every sunrise hold more promise, every moonrise hold more peace.
-Author Unknown

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.

-Immanual Kant

There is no death. Only a change of worlds.

-Chief Seattle

Nothing to be done really about animals. Anything you do looks foolish.
 The answer isn’t in us. It’s almost as if were put here on earth to show how silly they aren’t. 

-Russell Hoban

What we have once enjoyed 
we can never lose;

All that we love deeply,

becomes a part of us.

-Helen Keller

I believe all animals were created by God to help keep man alive.

-Iwao Fujita

That one true heart was left behind!
 What feeling do we ever find,
 to equal among human kind
, a dog’s fidelity!

-Thomas Hardy

How soon should you wait after losing one dog before you get another one?

A new dog can not replace the one you lost, but it can certainly help to fill that space left in your heart after losing a loyal companion....The length of time between losing one pet and getting another is personal choice really. Some dog owners feel that they could never get another one, as they don't want to go through all the inevitable heartache of losing another dog.

I personally found, getting another dog after losing Jake was very therapeutic. Whilst it didn't make me forget Jake or stop missing him or grieving for him, it helped to occupy me and gave me something to focus on. I also felt that it helped Ollie, my other dog, to get through the grieving process quicker. 

But like I said it's all down to personal choice and how YOU feel.

You need time to work through grief and loss before attempting to build a relationship with a new pet. If your emotions are still in turmoil, you may resent a new pet for trying to "take the place" of the old-for what you really want is your old pet back. Children in particular may feel that loving a new pet is "disloyal" to the previous pet.

When you do get a new pet, avoid getting a "lookalike" pet, which makes comparisons all the more likely. Don't expect your new pet to be "just like" the one you lost, but allow it to develop its own personality. Never give a new pet the same name or nickname as the old. Avoid the temptation to compare the new pet to the old one: It can be hard to remember that your beloved companion also caused a few problems when it was young!

A new pet should be acquired because you are ready to move forward and build a new relationship-rather than looking backward and mourning your loss. When you are ready, select an animal with whom you can build another long, loving relationship-because this is what having a pet is all about!

This group is a great source of comfort if you feel that you need any extra support following the loss of your dog.
RAINBOW PETS

Grieving over a lost pet

Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!

During the years you spent with your pet (even if they were few), he/she became a significant and constant part of your life. It was a source of comfort and companionship, of unconditional love and acceptance, of fun and joy. So don't be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.
People who don't understand the pet/owner bond may not understand your pain. All that matters, however, is how you feel. Don't let others dictate your feelings: They are valid, and may be extremely painful. But remember, you are not alone: Thousands of pet owners have gone through the same feelings.

Myths and facts over grieving for your pet

“It was just a pet”
Myth: You can overcome feelings of sadness by willing yourself to do so.
Fact: You were in a mutually loving relationship, which you felt deeply. It is natural to grieve the loss of a beloved friend and companion.

“Stop crying or talking about it.”
Myth: You are just making yourself feel worse and prolonging your grief.
Fact: Crying is one of Nature’s ways of releasing internal tension by triggering the release of stress-relieving hormones.
Expressing your feelings helps. In fact, if you don’t find healing ways to express your feelings, they will “bottle up” and be expressed in other ways. For example, you may become angry or impatient with others or find yourself crying for “no reason.”

“You should be over it by now.”
Myth: Grief is short-lived.
Fact: Grieving is individual and has no fixed time limit, although its intensity usually diminishes with time. Be patient and tolerant with yourself during the ebb and flow of emotions which follow your loss.
You don’t “get over” a loss. You learn to live with it. You will always feel some sadness when you think of this pet, just as you remember the good times you enjoyed together
Should your feelings of grief significantly affect your personal, professional, social or emotional life for an extended period of time, you should seek professional help.

“Just get yourself a new pet.”
Myth: One animal can easily slip into the place of another.
Fact: A beloved pet who has died cannot be simply “replaced.” A new pet will have its own personality and will relate to you in its own way. The decision about when or even whether to bring a new pet into your life is very individual; it varies from one pet-lover to another and it must reflect the present life-circumstances of each household. There is no “right” time. Give yourself and your family time. You will know if and when you are ready.

The following Facebook group is a great source of comfort if you feel that you need any extra support following the loss of your dog.
This group is a great source of comfort if you feel that you need any extra support following the loss of your dog.
RAINBOW PETS

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush, 
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die...

For everyone who has lost a precious friend. Myself included. Rainbow bridge babies....

We made it here safe, but we see the tears in your eyes,

As we follow the golden path we hear your desperate cries,

We try to turn back but God says gently we must move on,

In body we are no more but in spirit we are never gone...

We all have so many stories we all felt so much love..

But we know it broke your hearts..

When we became Angels above...

But God says he chose us for a reason..

He said our hearts are pure

We excelled what was expected..

He couldn't ask for more..

He tells us not all his rainbow bridge babies..

Have the life that we had...

Tears start to fall as his stories are so sad...

Some Dogs have died in pounds alone, fearful,

cold and scared..

Dumped by the people who where meant to have cared...

Others suffered immense pain from people

making them fight..

When they walk through the gates it's such

a heartbreaking sight...

Some are used to make babies one litter after another

some as young as a year old being made a mother...

We listen in horror as the stories are so bad...

We are so blessed to have the life that we had...

God says we can visit our human's

and make sure they are okay...

But it has to be done in a very special way...

Our humans can't see us but should sense we are there...

A paw On their hand will let them know we care...

Knowing this makes the pain less...

And the tears cease to fall...

As one of us looks down he sees his special ball...

His human is on the step she looks very sad...

She's looking at the ball remembering all the fun they had...

He lets out a gentle blow and the ball rolls to her feet...

She knows it's her boy and again they will meet....

So one day we will bring you to our golden gate...

And when the time is close we will go there and wait...

Please don't feel sad and don't feel despair, take a look around you will feel us there...

After the storm you will see the light....

Please don't give up we need you to fight....

God saw he was getting tired

God saw he was getting tired,

and a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around him

and whispered,” Come with Me.”

With tearful eyes we watched him

suffer and slowly fade away.

Although we loved him dearly,

we could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

playful paws were put to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

A Time to Remember -John Quealy

A Time to Remember

They come into our lives for such a short time

A time we wouldn't trade not even for a dime

Then before you know it the years have flown by

And then all of the sudden we're saying good-bye

It wasn't that long ago we said our good-byes

We held on to you tight as you closed your eyes

Your spirit has flown home on the wings of a dove

Into God's loving arm's; in heaven above

Over the days we've shed many tears

But the memories we have will live on for years

We feel your presence and we know that your near

You're keeping us safe and calming our fear

We think about memories from years past

When you were young and strong and ran so fast

We remember all the great times that we all had

How you always made us happy never made us mad

They were the best and happiest years we had

We'll always look back on them and never be sad

We look forward to the time we'll be together again

And we thank the Lord for such a great friend

Now you run and play up in Heaven above

Cradled in God's arms covered with his love

Playing by the Bridge waiting for the day

We come down thru the meadow to the bridge to stay

The love that you showed us we'll never forget

Because to us you're one very special pet

You're like a star in the dark of night

Always watching over us with the Lord's light

So now we take time to remember our best friend

Who will always be with us even to the end

We'll always remember you the way you were

One big lovable huggable pile of fur

-John Quealy

The dogs that shared our lives - Author unknown

"They will not go quietly,

the dogs who've shared our lives.

In subtle ways they let us know

their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think

we hear a barking at the door.

Or step back when we drop

a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place

the food dish used to be,

And, sometimes, coming home at night,

we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends

and a new food dish to fill,

That one place in our hearts

belongs to them...

and always will."

A good dog never dies....

I stood by your bed last night - Author unknown

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew, in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

- Author unknown

Click HERE to join my Facebook Group - Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our life whole.

Moss

We miss you Moss!