Pet Memorial Peternity Blog

Pet Loss Poetry

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

"Just A Dog"

I would like to thank the anonymous person who penned this lovely work.  It arrived on my "virtual" doorstep unsigned and uncredited.

Just A Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Pet Memorials: Finding the Perfect Words

The other day I met with a sweet woman to show her different stone samples so that she could pick out a couple of pet grave markers for two of her family dogs that had passed away, one in 2007 and one in 1989. As often happens, when we got to the part of writing down what she would like to say on the markers, she got choked up. It is so difficult to actually say the parting words to your dear old friends out loud. This part often chokes me up too. If anyone else is crying, I cry. I can't help it.

I thought that I had heard every possible epitaph for an animal that could fit onto a pet memorial marker, as thousands of orders for these have passed through my hands, but when she said the last line, after the name, and after the years spent on earth, my jaw dropped. She said that this was her husband's sentiment:

"How two species can so love each other . . .  "

Need I say more?

Have a beautiful day,

Colleen

Choosing the Right Veterinarian

I once sat next to a retired veterinarian at a dinner party. To try to make conversation I asked him if he had become a veterinarian because of his love for animals. I was shocked at his response. He turned to me and said "no, it had nothing to do with a love for animals, I simply found veterinary medicine to be an interesting science." Well, that shut me up!

I was reminded of this odd exchange after reading this interesting blog post at ConstantChatter.com called Faith in Humanity. Sometimes it's quite a struggle to maintain ones faith in humanity. We each just have to keep doing our part, albeit how seemingly small.

Have a beautiful day,

Colleen

Animal Rescue in Yellowstone Park: Save the Bison!

One of my favorite childhood memories is a 2-week family trip in our motor home through most of the western states. How my parents made it with six girls, including an infant, crammed into a motor home for 2 weeks, roaming around the country still stumps me, but it really is a great memory for me!

We had one ER room stop for the baby (it turned out to be nothing), a flat tire in the middle of Nowheresville, Nebraska, on an endless stretch of flat highway, with 1/2 box of Ritz crackers for all of us, and, I can't think of a third catastrophe to add to the mix, but maybe that's a good thing.

Yellowstone National Park with all of the animals roaming around is a very vivid memory for me. I look forward to my children getting a bit older so that we too can take some of these memorable and educational family trips.

However, if there are no animals to see, Yellowstone will be a completely different experience.

Creative Pet Gifts: Kitty Wigs!

Okay, now I've seen it all! Kitty Wigs!! 

In an effort to thread some levity and humor through my blog so that we don't all get completely depressed with the subject of pet loss, I like to post these fantastic, creative and unique pet gifts here and there that I come across.

I have to say that so far this is my favorite one!

And to make it just a touch eerie, this beautiful gray cat looks just like my old friend Mira.

Check out the wigs and the beautiful packaging that they come in. Brilliant.

Love it! Love it!

Colleen

Art Saving Animals

I just love this blog Art4animals. Their mission is to use the sale of artwork and art-related gifts and royalties for the support animals in need. They donate to and support many shelters and rescue programs.

Proceeds from the sale of the art supports these charities: The Humane Society of the United States- Rocky Mountain Regional Office, Bones Rescue, Cascade Raptor Center, Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, True Blue Animal Rescue, Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center, Tabby's Place Cat Rescue, The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, The Marine Mammal Care Center, Save the Dalmatians, Dare Dachshund Rescue, National Airedale Rescue, Sarvey Wildlife Center, Malibu Pet Companions, and Old Dog Haven Rescue.

Go view the beautiful art that they have for sale and help to save a precious life!

Have a beautiful day,

Colleen

Safe Overseas Travel for Pets

I came across this website the other day and think that this is a great idea! Pets on the Move takes care of the hassle of pet import and export for you. Hassle like customs clearance, booking your pet onto a dedicated carrier, talking to other countries, completing paperwork, dealing with DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs), handling quarantine and vaccinations, and organising air kennels. Even checking that your pet's microchip works. The list is endless.

What comes first though is your pet's welfare. With years of experience working with animals through their boarding facilities, they know essential pet needs very well, and what works best for a pet to have a stress-free export or import trip.

They are recognized by IATA, the association that represents and serves the airline industry worldwide.

Have a beautiful day,

Colleen

Go Orange for the ASPCA on April 10th

Go Orange on Thursday, April 10! All over the United States people will be celebrating the ASPCA's victories by "going orange" on behalf of animals and the love and joy they bring to so many people. Show your support by dressing yourself, your kids, your pet, in ASPCA orange to show the world your support for the ASPCA and the pets they protect everywhere.

Sign if you'll be going orange this April 10!

Have a beautiful day,

Colleen

Pet Loss: Respect for Animals

Teaching a child NOT to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.

~Bradley Miller