We Didn't Just Lose a Pet . . . We Lost a Friend

Many who know our family realize we recently suffered the loss of 2 wonderful dogs, who though they weren't our pets, felt much like ours, so the loss was as if they were family members not pets.

As I just told a friend who had lost her cat, don't be afraid to cry, for with each tear you shed here, there is a smile in heaven and take comfort in the fact that
how badly you hurt now is in direct relationship to how much you loved Herbie and how much he loved you.

That said, I don't profess to know everything there is to know about the Bible but I do know what my heart tells me. I sincerely believe that when we die and go to heaven we are greeted by those whom we have loved that have passed on before us. Now, that may be parents, siblings, spouses and sometimes children and if you think about it why can't it be pets also? After all, we love them too don't we?

I know when my first dog died I was heartbroken. She was my first dog and in many ways, a "baby" as well. The only thing that got me through the hard days and months ahead was the thought that she was in fact up in heaven looking down on me and smiling her sweet "fuzzy" smile. I know in my heart that when I
die she will be there waiting for me along with friends and family that have gone before.

I asked a clergy member about pets and heaven when Heidi died and he told me that Heidi was one of God's creatures and God had a special place in heaven for her when she died...in fact, he even suggested that perhaps there was a small angel assigned to take care of Heidi when she was in heaven. I don't know if he was simply trying to help me deal with her death or whether he truly felt that way, but I have chosen to believe him. I think if each of us search our souls we will find the answer deep down inside. The truth is there for you if you just listen for it, you just have to listen closely and be ready for the answer that lies within.

Since our loss, I've done a lot of reading about losing a pet and I found some wonderful links online...Knowing I am not alone in my loss, I decided to share these links with gather in the hopes that they will help someone else someday as well.

Here are some links to sites that I've found helpful and which also might help you with your loss.

The Humane Society has this to say about losing a pet and grief.

Buddah.net...a site that further discusses the loss of a pet and how to handle the situation.

And here are some books on the loss of a pet...

Grieving the Death of a Pet

Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet

Paw Prints in Heaven?: Christians and Pet Loss

And above all, remember it is normal and natural to grieve the loss of a family member and pets are members of your family as much as any other. So show your compassion and caring and grieve. Death is a part of life and a part we should experience without fear of judgment.