Welcome to Ashtabula County Humane Society!
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Last Updated:
07/31/2010 08:13 AM
07/31/2010 08:13 AM
© 2010 ACHS
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Rainbow Bridge
Our pets become such a large part of our day to day life, it's easy to take them for granted until the day comes when we have to say a final goodbye. It can be as difficult as losing a part of your own family and in many respects, that is exactly what has happened. We have established this page to offer the grieving pet owner support, help and the assurance that we believe that we will see our pets again someday. It is perfectly understandable and in fact, quite natural to grieve for our companion animals. In fact, emotions such as anger, guilt, confusion and sorrow are all quite normal. You have shared so many special moments with your pet and they have always been there for you in good times and bad. How can you not be upset when a pet that you have loved that has depended on you passes from this life, away from your care and protection? We understand just what you are going through because most of our staff and volunteers have experienced the exact same thing. Take this time to mourn your pet's passing and remember all the time you had together, but continue on with the knowledge that you will see your pet again someday at what some have called:The Rainbow Bridge "Should I get another pet?" That decision is yours and yours alone. Some people choose to get another pet right away, others wait for weeks, months or years while others never get another pet at all. Some people may want a different pet while others want to find a kitten or a puppy that is just like the one they lost. Only you can decide what is the best choice for your lifestyle. We do urge you to choose carefully if you decide to get a new pet because choosing the wrong pet will only add to the stress that you are dealing with. If you do choose to get another pet, we would like to invite you to our shelter or any one of the many animal shelter and animal rescue groups in the area to give one of the wonderful pets available a chance to share your life. If you have a home to offer, you can find a great new companion-and you'll be saving a life. "What are my options?" To deal with grief, some people choose to have memorials made up and placed in their yards, some people keep their pet's ashes in a special urn in their home, others prefer the services of a pet cemetary while others still make a memorial donation to a charity in memory of their pet. Once again, these choices are yours to make and there is no "right" choice, only what is right for you. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and sometimes our friends or family will not understand what a grieving pet owner is experiencing. Experts agree, the loss of any loved one can take time, more for some and less for others and grief has no schedule. If You Need Help Coping... If losing your pet is proving to be difficult, there are several resources that are available for you to turn to in this time of need. Please don't be afraid to ask for help as this is nothing to be ashamed of. These are only a few of the online resources that are available where you can share your feelings and begin the process of healing. You can make an online memorial to your pet, you can make a memorial donation for your pet with virtually any animal charity you choose or you can participate in a "candle ceremony" where grieving pet owners across the world light a candle at a specific time to mark the passing of their pets. Remember, how you choose to remember your pet is your decision and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it.
If You Need to Talk There are several different resources that can help you express and work through your grief.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown... 
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