Saying Good-Bye ~ The Rainbow Bridge
Welcome to our support page for people and animals in transition.
With heartfelt thanks to the animals, whose wisdom and grace teach us much about the journey between the worlds and the eternity of our love together.
On this page:
What do animals know?
How do you know it's time?
How animal communication can help
Across the Rainbow Bridge
Bringing a new animal into your life
Links & resources to help
"Old Friends" song by Susan
What do animals know?
In the eyes of our old friends we see wisdom and something beyond time itself. Modern veterinary care has helped extend the comfortable life expectancy of animals... how do we navigate these golden years together?
Contrary to some beliefs, animals seem to be fully aware that they will leave some day, but don't seem to spend their lives worrying about it. Just like human souls, animal
souls live on and can return again on their own spiritual journey.
Where do animals go? Some people are concerned about what happens to their animal after he passes on because they were taught that animals have
no souls. Evidence suggests that, like people, animals have their own unique souls, as well as a group soul, or unity, just like people. Like people, animals experience a joyful reunion of the highest kind when their
souls reunite with Source, or go to heaven, in keeping with your personal beliefs.
The animals will guide us
Saying good-bye with grace and compassion is one of the kindest, most heroic things a 
person can do. The weight of responsibility may weigh
heavy at times as we sort out what to do.
Your animal knows when she is ready. Trusting in her guidance and the spirit within
will help. Your veterinarian can offer medical information and
guidance, but ultimately this decision is your animal's and yours to make together. Well meaning friends may feel uncomfortable seeing an elderly animal and suggest it's time, but as the animal's caregiver your instincts will be best as to making it all about the animal.
Animals appreciate being asked and can be matter-of-fact about what they want.
A loving touch and an open heart will help both of you communicate what is in your animal's highest good.
You will know your decision is right by feeling a strong, clear sense of peace and relief
right away. That feeling may only last a moment, but the confirmation will be clear.
The balancing act is preserving dignity while not quitting too soon. How do you do that? Since you know your animal better than anyone, and the animal knows you, trust your heart and ask your spirit guides to help.
How animal communication can help
People find an animal communication session can help with decisions and help keep your heart connection strong.
Later, a consultation can be comforting, to hear the animal is OK and take care of any unfinished business. These sessions can have a lasting and profound effect. Other animals in the home or barn may be helped as well. Please contact me if you are interested in support at this time.
Across the Rainbow Bridge
Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer, described it like this: Grief about an animal is like a glass of water. Some people
drink it all at once, and some sip it in small amounts over time.
Whatever your spiritual traditions, honor your natural emotions and be proud you've loved a good
animal!
Have a ritual - most traditional culures have rituals to help. Ask your friends and family to support you by just being there. This is a time for music, prayer, connection. Tell your animal's story. A journal, a song, a painting, a moment with
a friend. This is time for taking good care of yourself with healthy food, sleep and exercise.
This is not so much about 'getting over it' ... it's about moving beyond. Trust that your love, and the spirit of your animal brother, will be in your heart forever.
Bringing a new animal into your life
When the time is right, you will know, and a new animal will find you!
One piece of wisdom that was given to me by a friend: Don't wait too long to bring another animal home. He said he'd waited and felt worse. His beautiful new pup wagged her tail, gave me a sloppy kiss and I knew it was time for me, too. A week later I brought home another great pup. The circle of life!
It's natural to want to "replace" our old friend. Your new animal friend will soon set
you straight about her unique personality! Choosing a different breed or species or color can
help, too. Please consider giving a loving home to a shelter animal.
People find that flower essences, energy work and animal communication sessions can ease the adoption and give you tools to work with, especially if you rescued an animal with
an unknown history.
Re-opening your heart to a new animal honors the circle of
life and it honors you. This positive energy will carry out into the world like ripples in a pond, and another pup far away may find a forever home, too. Good luck and God bless.
Pet Loss ~ Links & resources to help
Cornell Veterinary School
607-253-3932
Tuesday through Thursday
6-9pm Eastern Time
The hotline was started by and is staffed by vet student volunteers.
Printed info and staff to share ideas on how to deal with the loss of a companion animal.
Extensive resources on the website: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Org/PetLoss/
University of California-Davis
(800) 565-1526
Weekdays
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. PST
Serves members of the public and veterinarians
Website: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/
The Ohio State University Pet Loss Hotline
614-292-1823
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. CST
Online Resources:
Pet Loss Grief Support Website
www.petloss.com
Support, advice, The Monday Pet Loss Candle Ceremony, Tribute Pages,
healing poetry like Rainbow Bridge, chats, links to free counseling hotlines, much more.
"After All, He Was Only a Pet"
http://www.sspca.org/Grieving.html
Sacramento, CA SPCA article on grieving the loss of an animal companion.
Harmony Animal Hospital Pet Loss Page
http://www.petvets.com/petloss/
Articles, psychological help, resources, message board.
Animal Love and Loss Network
http://www.alln.org/
"Old Friends" song by Susan
This is a song I wrote awhile back because of a great dog named Luther. Together we canoed thousands of miles on the rivers and lakes Canada and the U.S. I offer these words in his honor. ~ Peace, Susan
"Old Friends"
Words & music by Susan Hamlin
© 2005 Flood Wood Music / All Rights Reserved
Now some people tell us
There’s a rainbow bridge
With all you good fellows
I don’t know much ‘bout this
But this I am sure of
As the sky meets the sea
We will always be part of
The mysteries
In the water I’ll see you
In the rock and the wind
The night on the river
As the Milky Way spins
In the days of the living
Now the young ones begin
For the love we were given
I thank you again
Bridge:
Younger than the sun
Older than the sea
Now we’ve just begun
To see the mysteries
For there’s joy in the starting
With comrade and friend
When the time comes for parting
We’ll say this again:
A toast to the old ones
Who call us their friend
A toast to the old ones
No beginning, no end
Fare thee well to the old ones
We’ll see you again
Fare thee well to the old ones
We thank you again!