Dealing With Pet Death - a Sad Part of Rescue Pets

Death is an inevitable part of life, something that touches all of us—humans and animals alike. While it's a topic that many of us shy away from, acknowledging it and preparing for it can make the experience more manageable when the time comes. The bond we share with our pets is profound, and their presence in our lives leaves lasting memories that we carry with us forever. The love and care we give them imprint on their hearts as well, leaving a legacy that continues even after they are gone. Though our pets may not live as long as we do, their impact on our lives and the joy they bring remains a part of us, no matter the circumstances. Dealing with pet death and planning ahead ensures that their legacy, as well as your peace of mind, are thoughtfully cared for, even when you are no longer physically together.

Clouds With a Rainbow. The Rainbow Poem Helps Some People Dealing With Pet DeathPhoto by Yulia Gadalina on Unsplash

Some people say that their pet “crossed the rainbow bridge” when the pet has passed on. This is a concept from a poem that describes a rainbow bridge that connects the earth to the place where pets go when they die. The pets are restored to health and vigor. The romap, frolic, and are very happy, except they miss their owners. Eventually the human and pet will be reunited for eternity.

If you have a beloved pet who has crossed the rainbow bridge and you feel moved to write about it, you can create a page on this website dedicated to your pet. You can do this by filling out  the form at the bottom of this page.

To read our current pet memorials, go to the rescue pet memorial page.

Here are some things to think about concerning pets and death.


Animal Communication May Help You  Dealing With Pet Death

A Woman Holding her Dog's Paws and Looking at the Dog's Face as if She's Trying to Communicate With the DogPhoto by Leohoho on Unsplash

One thing that may help your grieving when a pet passes on is animal communication. I have had a few sessions with an animal communicator to help me deal with some issues with my living pets. I actually haven’t tried to communicate with my pets who have passed on yet. The communication that I’ve done with my living pets has been very helpful to me. Communicating with the spirit of a pet who is no longer here might help you come to terms with your loss. It’s something to consider..I’ll be including some pages about animal communication and my experience with it in the future.


Honoring You Pet with Their Physical Remains

A Gravestone for a Cathttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pinecrest_Pet_Cemetery_Hacks_Cross_Rd_Memphis_TN_2013-10-19_021.jpg

You will want to honor your pet’s body in some appropriate way. Will you cremate your pet? Will you keep the ashes and, if so, what will you do with them? Will you bury your pet? If so, where? You could get a plot in a pet cemetery, and you could also make arrangements to be buried near your pet. You can read more about this issue on my Pet Remains page.


Estate Planning for Your Pets: What Will Happen to Your Pet if You Are Gone?

What will your pet do if something happens to you? Who will take care of your pet? This is not something that most pet owners think about, but your pet depends on you for everything. Don’t leave your pets future to chance, especially if your pet is the type of animal that has a long life span. Many pets are attached to their owners and will be sad if the human is gone. Se sure you pet will have someone familiar to take care of them if you are gone, if at all possible. Read more about this issue on my Estate Planning for Your Pets page.

Memorializing Your Pet

Framed Photo of a Dog With Some Flowers and Trinkets on itPhoto by Wallace Chuck: https://www.pexels.com/photo/opened-diary-with-dog-photo-eyeglasses-and-white-flowers-4896292/

There are many ways you can honor the memory of your pet. From getting them stuffed by a taxidermist to painting a rock as their headstone, you can choose to memorialize your pet in the manner that seems right for you. Commission a painting, have jewelry made of your pets remains, make a scrapbook, plant a tree in their honor, or make a donation in your pet’s name. Go to my Memorializing your Pet page for a discussion of this topic. If you would like to memorialize your pet by creating a page on this website dedicated to your pet, I'd like to invite you to fill out the form at the bottom of this page.


No one wants to think about death, especially when considering their loved pets. But death is an inevitable part of life and if you prepare for it, and honor your pet while they live as well as after they die, the pain of death can be lessened.

Tell me about what made your pet special

I'd like to invite you to make a web page about the life of your pet. It can be a loving memorial to the bond that you shared. You can come back to visit your page whenever you want to reminisce. Invite your friends and family to view your pet memorial page. Anyone on the internet can read about your beloved pet and see happy pictures of them.

Write about how you rescued your pet, the fun moments you had together. Let us know their favorite toys, food, nap places. What made your pet unique?

Let us know all about your pet. You can write about their early days, the years you had together, and their final days.

Submissions should be at least 500 words and I would love to have pictures of you and your pet. If you need any help crafting the perfect web page for your pet - reach out to me and I'll guide you.

[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

(first or full name)

(e.g., City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

  •  submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Mischief guarding me as I sleep

Mischief 
When my kids were little, they expressed that they wanted a dog. We didn't have pets because my husband was allergic. I also suspected that the kids had …

Click here to write your own.

You Might Like These

  • Many pet owners feel guilty about leaving their pet or not providing enough toys, food, attention, etc. What should you do when you suffer from pet guilt?

    Pet Guilt

    Many pet owners feel guilty about leaving their pet or not providing enough toys, food, attention, etc. What should you do when you suffer from pet guilt?

  • You make some kind of memorial to your pet and all the love they brought to your life after they are gone. Explore some options ofr pet memorials

    Memorializing Your Pet

    You make some kind of memorial to your pet and all the love they brought to your life after they are gone. Explore some options ofr pet memorials

  • Honor the memory of your pet by taking care of their physical remains after death. Explore cremation, burying or donating your pet's body to a vet school

    Pet Remains

    Honor the memory of your pet by taking care of their physical remains after death. Explore cremation, burying or donating your pet's body to a vet school

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.