The relationship between humans and animals is special because somehow, when the world gets to be too stressful, or when you seem to face any type of challenge — your pup is there. And your pet doesn’t judge you, doesn’t ask you to explain. Your dog simply lays its head in your lap and loves you. The loss of a pet is a terrible loss. There’s a poem, called the Rainbow Bridge poem, that can help you mourn the loss of a pet.
The Relationship Between Humans and Animals
It starts so sweetly and unassumingly. You bring your pup home. Whether it’s a newborn pup or an older rescue, it doesn’t take long for you to get used to your pet in your home: digging through your laundry, sleeping on your shoes, and licking your eyelids to wake you for a walk.
And before you know it, your pup’s a part of your life. Loves you, needs you… and you need your pet more than you thought you would. It’s strange because they can’t speak… but they understand every word you say (namely “walk,” “treat,” “bath,” and “love”).
So, when the day arrives, and it is inevitable, how do you cope with the loss of a pet?
Of course, some people assume pet grief hurts less than human grief, but they couldn’t be more mistaken.
The human-animal bond is powerful — if for no other reason than that you can truly love one another unconditionally.
The Rainbow Bridge 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
In the same way you might hold a memorial for a beloved family member and share words of comfort or play music, you can do the same when losing a pet. The Rainbow Bridge poem is a beautiful way to remind yourself that the human-animal bond is strong, and that your beloved dog gave your life true value
Your dog made your home feel like home; therefore, pet grief can mean feelings of isolation, anger, frustration, and extreme sadness. Losing a pet is never easy, but poems and lyrics like those in The Rainbow Bridge poem might remind you that it’s okay to feel and to remember.
How People Mourn
Of course, mourning is extremely personal — the loss of a pet can be hard because even when you’re alone at home, your pet is with you. The silence when your pet is gone can hurt more than the most deafening sound. So, you’ll want to allow yourself to mourn in a healthy way. Wouldn’t your pup want you to be happy, remember the best, but also move forward, knowing you shared something wonderful?
There are no rules when it comes to how you cope with loss of pet. One potential guarantee is that it won’t be easy, and as stated by the Palliative Care Editorial Board, “Grief… cannot be dealt with in a cookbook fashion”. Your personality, and your particular relationship with the pet who passed, will shape your needs.
Culturally and religiously, you may have ways of handling loss that differ from those around you… that’s more than okay, too. Listen to your heart. Ask for what you need. If you need some time alone, ask for it. Conversely, if you’d rather not be alone, ask for company. Share stories. Look back at photos and reminisce.
Tips on How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet
The big thing to remember when seeking out ways to deal with losing a pet is that you do not have to go it alone. There are several forms of support out there for grieving pet owners. In fact, there are even pet-bereavement counseling options.
And The Humane Society of the United States even recommends calling a “losing a pet” support hotline if need be. Usually, you can find pet-bereavement groups by jumping online. Or there may be posted flyers at your local market, library, vet, or groomer.
If you’re still struggling, or you prefer a more private approach to handling your pet grief, check out books on the subject from the library, read articles in magazines, or search for assistance online.
Here are a few more tips on how to cope with losing a pet:
- You can say to yourself, “I feel the pain of grief. I can sit with this. My dog meant too much to me not to feel this way. It’s okay to feel sad.”
- Call friends, family, other pet owners.
- Ask your local groomer or vet, someone who knows you and loved your pup, for referrals to grief groups. Your vet might even be able to simply connect you with someone going through the same thing.
- Host a memorial for your dog. This can be public or private.
- Keep a pet grief journal. You can write in it for as long as you feel you need to. You can record memories, or let out frustration. And if you want, when you’re ready, you can bury the journal outside.
- Listen to music that allows you to reflect and reminds you of your funny pup and the things they used to do. When you’re ready, switch the mood to some motivational, get-up-and-go beats.
- Get moving. It could help you clear your mind to continue walking at the same times during which you walked your pup.
- Eventually, you will be able to move on. You may decide to get a new pet, and that experience can be as richly rewarding as the last one, even though it’s sure to be different. No dog can replace the pet you lost, but building a new relationship could help you heal and bring you new joy.
Moving on…
Again, nobody experiences grief in the same way, but print The Rainbow Bridge poem out. Keep it with you for as long as you need to. And then, if you happen to come across another grieving dog owner in the future, you can share this poem that has become so popular.
The human animal bond needn’t be mysterious. There’s no need to diminish the meaning of your relationship with your pet just to move on. These things take time. Give yourself that time.
And remember the Rainbow Bridge poem, and that though your pup may be “long gone from your life,” they are “never absent from your heart.”
Learn More:
How to Introduce Cats and Dogs
Why Does My Dog Howl When I Play Music?
Domestication of Dogs: The Complex History of Man’s Best Friend
I just lost my sweet 12 year old Shepherd Elkie, too many health issues to contend with. She gave us 12 years of loyalty and unconditional love.This site helped a great deal, the hurt is real.We had her euthanized at home, Vet gave her injection to go to sleep got to spend last few minutes with her as she feel to sleep in my arms. I am a combat Vietnam Vet , but not ashamed to cry over her
I lost my Chco yesterday to diabetes.he had not been sick with it he went to drinking a lot of water after a few days of that i
took him to vet he told he could not save him so i had to put him down my down heart is broken
My sweet yorkie Oscar …. I had to let him go today. Writing this reminds me of the love and value his life held. He got an impacted anal gland Memorial weekend and within days everything went wrong. He developed pancreatitis and found out he had kidney disease. My solace is in knowing I did everything I could, but he couldn’t recover. Grief is as dark and empty as the bottom of the ocean. I knew it was time he was so sick. Part of the love and greatest gift we can give our babies is to end suffering. It’s the hardest decision EVER but one that is full of love and grace. My heart is broken but there is relief in knowing he is not hurting or sick anymore. I kept my promise to always be with him, even at the end no matter what.
I lost my Pomeranian Wolfie this month on the 24th I got him from my ex who wasnt able to take care of him so I had him for about 3 years…he was blind and had bad teeth I feel bad cause I couldnt do more for him…He was my precious baby and he passed away while I was at my daughters that day my older grandson and I found him when we got back…he mustve died in his sleep which he slept a good partof the time..he wouldnt eat alot…I feel so sad cause I wasnt with him and couldnt have done more for him…I did make sure he had all his shots tho when it was time..hes at the vet where I would take him to get groomed…theyre keeping him for me.. he looked so cute cause theyd put a handkerchief around his neck..I kept his bowl and water bowl…Im gonna have a private creamation for him in a couple of months so I can have him with me…The Rainbow Bridge is so sad but yet happy cause I know poor Wolfie isnt in pain or suffering anymore now…I miss you my sweet Wolfie🐾🌷🌹🐕💗💜💗💗💝💝💝💝
My dog Linus was perfectly healthy just two weeks ago, and all of a sudden he started having trouble getting on the bed, couch and going down the stairs to go outside to go to the bathroom. My vet came and said he had a spinal disease, but that with, “rest, medicine and care” he could get better. That was on Monday, Memorial Day. By Wednesday he completely paralyzed and totally incontinent. I had to have him put to sleep last night. He was only 9 years old. I feel completely overwhelmed and like I am in the middle of a nightmare but can’t wake up. He was my best friend, angel and my shadow, following me around EVERYWHERE! I love him soooooo much and would do anything to have him back!!!😇🐶🌈
Oh Merry. I am so sorry for your loss. We just lost our dear furbaby today in much the same way. He was almost 10.
I’m very glad I found this site and Poem . Our little 11 year old Pekingese maverick will cross the bridge this coming Friday afternoon. Very fast moving cancer . I have to be at work today and be a mess and my wife is taking care of him and our baby. I feel he knows the end is near. My wife is letting him do whatever he wants and giving him his favorite rotisserie chicken you buy at the market. I am going to take the next couple days off to really show my little buddy how much he is loved before we bring him to the vet Friday afternoon. I am already feeling empty inside and not sure how it will be after he crosses . The poem is the sweetest thing I have ever read and will make it part of his memorial . I am a guy who never cried his whole life but am now feeling an indescribable loss and sadness and can’t stop the tears. God bless everyone who shared their stories on here and I do believe in the afterlife and that we will reunite and toss their toys to them once again . Mark
About 4 years ago, while on my daily morning walk with my dog Alli, I noticed a cat living in a drainage basin near my home. The cat had lost an eye and I wondered how he was able to survive. I started leaving food and water near the gate to the basin entrance and he eventually lost his shyness and we soon became buddies. I eventually was able to take him to my vet to have him checked out and found he had previously been neutered. He moved into my home about 2 years after I initially started feeding him and he lived with me and Alli for 14 months. Buddy was an old fellow probably 16 or 17 years old. He couldn’t climb or jump and rarely moved very fast. Last Sunday I took him to the Emergency Vet due to breathing difficulties and was told it was highly unlikely he would recover. I made the difficult decision to have him put down. Buddy is missed terribly and will never be forgotten but I take solace knowing the last 14 months of his life he knew he was loved and cared for and he was happy.
I was away on vacation, I thought it may be time for Molly to cross the bridge, but a month before my trip,when I talked to my 16 yr old son, he said “not yet”.
She was clearly showing signs of dementia, I should have done it. I even took her to the vets for their opinion. So, while I was away, my precious Molly wondered off. A sweet angel found he injured on the side of the road & took her to the vets. Her injuries were too much for her and she had to be put to sleep. It breaks my heart that I wasnt here to protect her & to hold her. To let her know how much I loved her & what a good dog she was. I wish I could have held her as she crossed over. I’m just incredibly sad.
I lost my beloved dog, Clementine, yesterday. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and I did it at home with her in her favorite spot on the couch. She was – and always will be – my heart and my sole, my joy and my sunshine. I can’t imagine ever getting over her loss or being able to stop crying for more than ten minutes at a time.
I have suffered from depression all my life and I thought I was doing pretty well on a combination of anti-depressants. However, I never believed that I would ever be able to feel true happiness and content due to this affliction. It was it was and I had accepted that. I was greatful for what the anti-depressants were able to do for me.
Ten and half years ago Clementine came into my life and my life changed completely in nearly an instant. They have been 10-1/2 years of true happiness and content like I could never have imagined. My heart is now forever broken. I have another dog as well whom I love dearly and she has been an angel throughout this ordeal. I don’t love her less, I just love her differently and with all my being. I’m sure I will have others as well. But, Clementine, my precious baby girl, I will always, always love you and I will carry you in my heart forever and ever.
Thank you for sharing The Rainbow Bridge. When the time comes I will be running just as fast as Clementine to get my hands on her again.
Today we said goodbye to our sweet Katee. She brought us love and joy for 12 years. Our hearts are broken and the loneliness is unbearable. We know you are well now. We will always love you.
Tomorrow April 2nd my precious little boy dog Atlas will be crossing The Rainbow Bridge He has given me unconditional love for the past 8 years I can hardly imagine life without him He was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and it has progressed rapidly I know he understands the humane unselfish act of letting him go means because he is trying to comfort me with kisses and snuggling up to me closer than ever Goodbye my sweet boy 🙏🐾😞
I’ve had so many pets over the rainbow bridge, and just lost my Cat today that we Rescued four years ago. It had Centesis. I wasn’t planning on this today.🌈🙏
All I can say is thank you for understanding.