The Death of a Pet: Sympathy and Help
Sympathy Messages, Pet Quotes, Memorial Ideas and More
Facing the death of a beloved pet is one of the hardest experiences in life. Have you lost a pet? Or maybe someone you love has lost a dog, cat, or another special animal?
It is hard to know what to do or what to say when a dear pet dies. Mourning pets takes time (sometimes a very long time) and the ongoing understanding and sympathy of family and good friends. All of us grieve in our own ways. May you find some peace and comfort on this page.
Sympathy for the Loss of a Pet
To anyone who has lost a dear animal, a dog, a cat, a horse, a small pet...
I send out my deepest empathy and sympathy and good thoughts for happy memories to replace pain and sadness.
Pet Sympathy Quotes and Words of Sympathy For a Pet Memorial
To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven. - Karen Sunde
Where there is love, there is life - Mahatma Gandhi
Where there is great love, there are always miracles. - Willa Cather
Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end, and somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends. - Author Unknown
A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. - Donna Roberts
Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. - Author Unknown
It is not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful. - David Rast
Some people come into our lives and quickly go; Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. - Flavia Weedn, Forever
A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world. - Lois Wyse
The Rainbow Bridge - A Poem
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
— Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss)You Can Close Your Eyes (Video)
I can't think of many things more difficult than watching a beloved pet pass away. I hope listening to this song brings comfort to those in need of understanding.
I recently heard this lovely song sung by James Taylor. I thought it was a very special song, in the context of this page. It is both sweet and sad (tissue warning). Lyrics below.
You Can Close Your Eyes (Lyrics)
Well the sun is surely sinking down, but the moon is slowly rising.
So this old world must still be spinning round and I still love you.
So close your eyes, you can close your eyes, it's all right.
I don't know no love songs and I can't sing the blues anymore.
But I can sing this song and you can sing this song when I'm gone.
It won't be long before another day, we gonna have a good time.
And no one's gonna take that time away. You can stay as long as you like.
So close your eyes, you can close your eyes, it's all right.
I don't know no love songs and I can't sing the blues anymore.
But I can sing this song and you can sing this song when I'm gone.
Links to Pet Loss Support - You aren't alone.
- Original Monday Candle Ceremony
This is such a lovely idea. "On Monday evenings all across the globe we light candles in memory of our pets. It is a very healing ritual with no adherence to any religion or creed, just a simple lighting of candles to bring us all together." - Grief Support Writing Article
An article: "Grief Support Writing: How to Write and Share Your Story of Pet Loss"
To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.
— Karen SundeSeptember National Pet Memorial Day
To recognize those animals that have left this earth, the second Sunday of September is designated
National Pet Memorial Day.