Pet Memorial Peternity Blog

Pet Poetry by George Elliot

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ~ George Elliot

Pet Loss Poetry "Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver

I find such comfort in these words and hope that you will too.

You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting - over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Healing Poetry from William Blake

Man was made for joy and woe and when this we rightly know, through the world we safely go. Joy and woe are woven fine, a clothing for the soul divine. Under every grief and pine runs a joy with silken twine. ~ William Blake

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Helpful Words for the Confusing Stages of Grief

In talking over the years with many grieving pet owners in the early stages of grief, one of the most common questions throughout these conversations is "how do I come to accept the horrific reality of what 'is', and move forward in my life without being stopped and controlled by the "pit-of-the-stomach" pain that is relentlessly there?"

There are no clear-cut answers, but as we each share pieces of our journeys through the maze of grief, we help each other forward to feeling like we're living again.This blog entry speaks to this in a very positive way.

Grief. A Complicated Word!

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Beautiful & Soothing Words for Mourning the Loss of a Loved One

Having been surrounded for the last couple of months by my own losses as well as many friends losing loved ones, I share these profound words of comfort.

They are soothing and enlightening for the loss of any being close to your heart  - human or animal.

Letter to a Person in Mourning

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Blessing of the Animals at Brea UCC

A couple of weeks ago the church we attend, Brea Congregational UCC, did a Blessing of the Animals for Creation Season. It was really amazing and remarkable, and lots of fun! We celebrated the animals in our lives as well as the ones who are no longer with us. Enjoy the video!

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Pet Loss: Words of Healing by Claire Chew

In our mourning, to allow the heart to sink into darkness, to walk in and out of grief, to send light and love ahead, if that is all we can do to feel tonight, that is enough. ~ Claire Chew

Beautiful, healing words from a beautiful, healing woman. Thank you Claire. Contact Claire directly for help in healing from loss of a loved one.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Peternity reviews "Katie Up and Down the Hall" by Glenn Plaskin

Have you ever read a book that just stays with you? For days, weeks, months? I'm still savoring the warm, cozy and touching story of Katie, the privileged Cocker Spaniel of celebrity interviewer, Glenn Plaskin. "Katie Up and Down the Hall" is a delightful and moving story of a sweet puppy whose love and spunk magically pull together a family of strangers.

Set in Battery Park City near the financial district in Manhattan, this engaging story tells the tale of how Katie and her charm open up hearts, create lifelong friendships and create family ties in the last places you might expect them.

I really enjoyed the idyllic world that Glenn creates through imagery of this little city of its own, Battery Park that exists within the much larger cityscape of Manhattan. From the descriptions of the views of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, to the vast myriad of vessels floating by his living room window on the 3rd floor with the Hudson river view, to the daily parade of every breed of dog being walked down the boardwalk and frolicking in the grass, to the busy lives of the 9,000 Battery Park City residents attending block parties, picnics and indulging in all sorts of outdoor sports and activities. It almost gave me the feeling of an opening scene of an idealistic, happy film from the 50’s. But the gratifying thing about this story is the challenging life realities that are set against this idealistic backdrop.

Pet Loss Poetry by Isla Paschal Richardson

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -

I loved you so -
'twas Heaven here with you

~Isla Paschal Richardson

Pet Grief Counselor is Comforted at Peternity.com

Stellar customer service is VERY important to me - whether I'm giving or receiving it. I pride myself on the service that we offer at Peternity.com and I expect the same from every other service provider that I use. That's a tall order.

One of my favorite things to do is to personally write or call a manager when their employee has served me well with true professionalism, respect, kindness and solid knowledge, and most importantly, in a very personal way. 

Yesterday I received this note from a customer about my amazing employee Betony, who is a very integral part of the Peternity brand. This customer also happens to be a grief counselor, so for me, this is one of the best compliments that we've ever received, and I want to share it with you here:

Our beautiful memorial stone arrived today. It is absolutely gorgeous, and sits in my garden as I type this e-mail: such a respectful, meaningful remembrance of our “dog of a lifetime.” From the moment I viewed your exquisite website I knew I wanted this memorial to be made with you. That was confirmed as I exchanged amazing e-mails with one of your representatives, Betony. I am a Grief Counselor by profession, and she greatly comforted THIS grief counselor along the way. The care and attention with which it was made was exemplified in the way it was carefully packed and made ready for shipment. And, finally, the enclosed beautiful sympathy card speaks to the sincere compassion your company offers grieving pet owners. You will be recommended at every opportunity. Thank you, thank you!

Thank you Betony for all that you do, and for helping to make Peternity.com a great success and comfort to many.

With love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen