Saying Good-Bye ~ The Rainbow Bridge
This page is to help support people and animals in transition.
With heartfelt thanks to the animals, whose wisdom and grace teach us about the journey between the worlds and the eternity of our love together.
On this page:
What do animals know?
Animals guiding us
How animal communication can help
Rituals for transition
Bringing a new animal into your life
Hotlines & resources to help
"Old Friends" song by Susan
What do animals know?
My experience with animals, shared by many others who do this work, has shown that animals are aware that their physical lives are finite. They just don't seem to spend their lives worrying about it. If you believe a human has a soul that carries on, please be comforted to know that animals do, too.
For people who grow deeply connected to their animal friends, the passing of a beloved animal is a deeply sad event that needs to be acknowledged. Cultural rituals haven't caught up yet with the modern role animals play in human culture. For single people, the loss of an animal can be especially difficult without a ritual to hold them in the heart of community.
Our task as friends and neighbors is to support those who grieve the loss of an animal in whatever way we can. We can be there to listen to the stories and honor the memories. Animals live in our hearts forever, and we can help others by holding the space for that love, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart.
The animals can 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.
Your animal knows what she needs. Trust in her guidance and your own intuition. Your veterinarian can offer medical guidance; you have all the wisdom you need in your heart of hearts.
Easing the transition
Animal communication and energy medicine - including Acupuncture and Reiki - can help support the process and keep your heart connection strong. Animals appreciate the chance to collaborate with us and understand their medicine.
Listening and freely communicating with our animal friends can help with the natural grieving process. There's no set time or schedule; each person and animal is unique. Intuitive communication can...
... Bring reassurance from your animal that all is well,
... Help resolve unfinished business,
... Hold the space for your shared stories,
... Help you move through the process with guidance and support.
This can have a lasting and profound effect. Other animals
in the home or barn may be helped as well.
Rituals and ceremony
Whatever your spiritual traditions, honor your natural emotions and be proud of your life together.
Most traditional cultures have rituals to hold the loved ones in the heart of community. There's a reason these ceremonies evolved - connection to the web of life is the best medicine. Consider creating yor own simple ceremony.
Ask your friends and family to just be there. Tell your animal's story. A journal, a song, a painting, a meal with a friend. This is a good time to remember you need healthy food, sleep and exercise, too.
Healthy grieving isn't about 'getting over it' ... it's about moving beyond. By healing you won't be abandoning anyone. Trust that your love, your animal companion, lives in your heart forever.
Bringing a new animal into your life
One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is to trust again. When the time is right, you will know, and a new animal will find you!
It can be a natural human emotion to want to "replace" an old friend. Your new animal companion will soon set
you straight about her unique personality! It's a balancing act between holding the love of your old animal in your heart and welcoming a new soul into the here-and-now.
Please consider giving a forever home to a shelter animal or an older animal - they have a lot of love to give!
Re-opening your heart to a new animal honors the circle of
life as it honors you. This positive energy will carry out into the world like ripples in a pond. Another animal far away may find a forever home, too, because of you. Good luck and blessings to you and your animals.
Pet Loss ~ Links & resources to help
Cornell Veterinary School
607-253-3932 - pet loss support hotline
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 (pet loss support hotline)
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 Websites
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
Excellent article from the Sacramento (CA) SPCA 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. He was, quite simply, my best friend, one of my greatest teachers. ~ Peace, Susan
"Old Friends"
Words & music by Susan Hamlin
© 2005 Flood Wood Music / All Rights Reserved
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, forever,
together be
In the waters 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
love is never done
Together, you and me
There’s magic in starting
Welcome, new friend
When the time comes for parting
We say this again:
A toast to the old ones
Who call us their friend
A home for a new friend,
No beginning, no end
Fare thee well to the old ones
We’ll see you again
Fare thee well to you, old friend,
Thank you again
Thank you, my friend.