Pet Memorial Peternity Blog

Healing Poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Out of the bosom of the Air
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.

Even as our cloudy fancies take
Suddenly shape in some divine expression,
Even as the troubled heart doth make
In the white countenance confession
The troubled sky reveals
The grief it feels.

This is the poem of the air,
Slowly in silent syllables recorded;
This is the secret of despair,
Long in its cloudy bosom hoarded,
Now whispered and revealed
To wood and field.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Tragic Industry of Nurse Mare Foals

I want to bring awareness to "another" tragic practice that is occurring in the horse racing world. The abuse of nurse mare foals.

Nurse mare foals are unfortunate foals born to mares that are bred solely for milk production. Nurse mare farmers use mares of varying breeds but often times the larger breeds, such as drafts, to breed nurse mare foals.

After foaling, the breeders lease the mares out to a farm, usually a farm involved with the horse racing industry. The mares are taken from their biological offspring anywhere between 1 day and 1 week of age. These new mothers then become mothers for more "expensive" foals. Their biological foals are left to die, are killed or are slaughtered due to the level care they require and the costs associated to raise the orphan foals..

"Boats" - An Ode to a Water Loving Lab

I think this is one of the most unique settings that we've ever seen for a pet headstone. Boats was 16 when he passed recently, but he lived with in the Virgin Islands and spent most of his life aboard his owner's boat.

He was VERY well loved and is terribly missed.
 
   

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Dogs Do Well by Helping Kids Learn to Read

For a dose of inspiration, I love to do posts about the amazing things that animals do. The list of amazing things that dogs can do keeps growing. Recent studies have found that therapy dogs can be instrumental in helping children to learn how to read. D

Dogs are great listeners who don’t react negatively if kids stumble over words or struggle to read a page. The presence of a calm therapy dog can help a child who is afraid of reading out loud. Children may be encouraged or inspired to read to a dog because the dog listens  with no judgment, and the kids feel like they're bonding with the dog instead of simply learning to do something they've been struggling with.

Suggestions for Coping with Pet Loss & Pet Grieving

It has been said that experience is not what happens to you, but rather what you do with what happens to you. So it is with grief. Now that this death has happened to you, you must decide what you can do with your grief. Coping with grief is not a passive process; it involves many courses of action. For example, you can begin with these:

• Know that you're not losing your mind; you are grieving.
• Believe that you will return to your normal level of functioning.
• Give yourself permission to operate at half speed right now.
• Be patient with yourself; grief takes time.
• Read some accounts by other grievers, to assure you that your reactions are normal.
• Slow down if your thoughts are racing and you feel as if you're running from one task to the next.
• Keep in mind that it will all get done, and not everything must be done today. Make a list, then prioritize it.
• Put off whatever big decisions you can, until you can think clearly and until you can adjust to a new and different life.
• Deal with one concern at a time.

Excerpted from Finding Your Way through Grief: A Guide for the First Year, by Marty Tousley
*Marty Tousley is a hospice bereavement counselor who specializes in pet loss & writes about various aspects of grief.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Pet Loss Expert Tips for Getting Through the Holidays

The holidays can be a very difficult time for reliving losses and reflecting back on our beloved pets who are no longer with us. The holidays stir up old happy memories which can be very hard to face. 

Here are some pet loss tips that I've shared with others in the past that have proven to be very helpful.

• Be sure to spend the holiday with loved ones with you whom you can be yourself. It's best not to be alone but it's also important to be able to cry or sit quietly if necessary.
• Choose the book that's helped you through your pet grieving process most and write a dedication in the inside cover to your pet. Donate the book to your library.
• Instead of pushing aside the painful emotions you may be feeling stuck in, try allowing yourself to acknowledge the way you feel. Minimize your difficult feelings and their power over you by expressing them. Write a letter from the heart to your pet, telling him all the things you miss about him and how grateful you are for all the memories and friendship that he so generously gave. You can even post your pet memorial on the internet if you'd like to.
• During your holiday meal, place a special candle on your table and light it in memory of your pet. She will be with you in spirit and will still be included in your holiday celebration.
• Volunteer at an animal rescue or shelter. It always lifts our spirits when we're grieving to take the focus off of ourselves and give to others who are in need.

May your holiday season be filled with love, joy and moments of silence where you can again find peace in your heart.

Lovingly,

Colleen

Ode to Man's Best Friend

With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."

~Gene Hill

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

We're right in the middle of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, November 1–7. Use this week to celebrate everyone who cares for shelter animals and who also work to make a difference in the number of pets who are adopted from shelters.

In 1996 the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) launched this week of appreciation to create a time for us to honor the 4,000 animal shelters across the United States who rescue and shelter an estimated 6 to 8 million homeless animals annually.

63 percent of American households include pets, but only 10% of dogs and 18% of cats are adopted from animal shelters.

There is no better time than now to get acquainted with one of your local shelters. Visit a shelter and talk to them about how you can support homeless animals in your community. You can volunteer your time, become a spay/neuter advocate, or open your heart to give a shelter pet a forever home.

For more ideas on how to celebrate and help, visit The Humane Society or AnimalSheltering.org.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Luxury Doggie Dinnerware - A Dickie and a Wine Glass?

Does your dog eat at the dinner table with you? Well, if so, these items are MUST-HAVES.

 

Designed by Alice Wang this dinner set - collared shirt dickie, dinner plate and glass are perfect for your spoiled pooch!

Please note that Alice does not promote giving your dogs wine at the dinner table, but she does promote spoiling them rotten!

She also designed this clever leash. Hand-in-hand.

    

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

A Dog and an Elephant - A Love Story

A true testament to the power of the love of animals. Watch this sweet story about an elephant sanctuary in TN that also is a home for stray dogs. This is just too sweet for words.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen