Pet Loss

Everyone who has ever lived with and deeply loved an animal knows the heartache of losing a pet to old age, an incurable disease or a fatal accident. The Pet Loss section will hopefully provide some comfort during your time of grief.     We will post your memorial to your pet at no charge here in the Pet Loss section. For more details, see Post a Memorial.

The Rainbow Bridge poem is available for printing and also Memorials, a place where memorials to lost pets are posted.

PET LOSS SITES:

HELP LINES:

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline - (800) 946-4646.  Punch in PIN # 140-7211, then your phone number - your call will be returned immediately.
Iams Pet Loss Support - (888) 332-7738
Iowa State University - (888) 478-7574
University of California, Davis - (800) 798-6196
University of Illinois, Urbana - (877) 394-2273

VETERINARY SOCIAL WORKERS:

Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Collins (970) 491-1242

University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis

 (530) 752-4200
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville (352) 392-4700
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana-Champaign (217) 333-2760
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul (612) 624-4747
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia (215) 898-4529
The Animal Medical Center, New York (212) 383-8100

Weep Not for Me

Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.

Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul's sweet flight.

I am at peace, my soul's at rest

There is no need for tears.

For with your love I was so blessed.

For all those many years.

There is no pain, I suffer not,

The fear now all is gone.

Put now these things out of your thoughts,

In your memory I live on.

Remember not my fight for breath

Remember not the strife.

Please do not dwell upon my death,

But celebrate my life.

Constance Jenkins, Written in In Loving Memory of Isolde
Copyright 1992 Constance Jenkins, All Rights Reserved

The Loss of a Heart-Dog

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 so 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 wished 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 now ... I smile and watch you yawning, And say, "Goodnight, 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
Quoted from rec.pet.dogs.health