When Your Pet Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge by Psychic Jae

I've spoken to many pet owners over the years who have heavy hearts and guilt over the passing of their beloved pets. They have questions about what their pet thinks about how they handled their last days. They ask because they feel guilty about some part of the passing. Perhaps they had to put the pet down. Perhaps they ignored a symptom and waited too long to take them to the vet. Perhaps they forgot to give medication. Some children harbor guilt because they left the door or gate open and the pet got away and never came back.

Whatever the circumstances are that have you carrying the burden of guilt, forgiveness is the cure. Don't let guilt rob you of the great memories you had with your pet. Don't let your judgments about how you previously took care of a pet stop you from opening your heart to a new pet. 

A Pet's Love is Unconditional

We, as caretakers, tend to take on unnecessary guilt by thinking we've somehow let our pets down. Know that your pet doesn't want guilt for you. They don't judge us. They love us unconditionally - faults and all! They aren't suffering on the other side and know you did the best you could. Next time your pet comes to mind and guilt creeps in to rob you of the goodness of your time spent together, do something fun-loving that your pet would do to cheer you up.

A Pet's Purpose

The soul of a pet comes to Earth typically for four things: to be our companion, protector, comforter, or lover. That's their purpose in life. What can help you mourn the loss of your pet is by acknowledging and celebrating your experience of your pet's life purpose. If they protected you, thank them. If they were your best buddy in times of need, celebrate them for it. If they were a comfort to you, reminisce about it. If they loved you, show that love to others and share with anyone who will listen about how loving your pet was with pictures and stories.

Grieving the Loss of a Pet

When you have to say goodbye to your furry family member, these tips will help you accept the grief and move past it in a healthy way. Here are some ways you can cope with the grief

Hold a Memorial Service

Memorial services give us a chance to say goodbye and get closure. You might find that gathering friends and family for a memorial service, where you can say a few words and lay your pet to rest, will help you celebrate your pet's life. After the service, consider a meaningful way to honor your pet. You can plant a tree, install a plaque in your yard, or make a donation to an animal charity.

Acknowledge Your Sadness

A vital part of the healing process is acknowledging your sadness and giving yourself permission to accept the pain. If you think you would feel better talking about your loss, look for a support group in your area. Writing is also very cathartic, so you can keep a personal journal in which you write down your feelings and memories. If you want to make sure your pet is happy, a pet psychic can help you reach out.

Take Your Time

The grieving process has no time frame, so you can take all the time you need to work your way through it. Go at your own pace, and don't feel rushed to move on from your sorrow if you're not ready. Dealing with grief is an individual process, and it's perfectly acceptable to find comfort in different things. If you're not ready to put away the box of toys or wipe the nose prints off the window, you don't have to.

Use a Calming Practice

If you find it hard to deal with daily obligations while experiencing grief, consider using a calming practice to help you get through it. Meditation or breathwork can assist you in releasing tension and calming your anxieties. When you start to feel your grief taking over, simply apply the calming practice you selected.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

While you might want to wait until you're further along in the grief process to volunteer at an animal shelter, it's a good way to help you move past your loss when you're ready. Volunteering will give you an opportunity to get out of the house, help animals that need it, and make some happy memories with other animals. 

Trust and believe that pets remain connected to us after physical death and still watch over us. So, when you celebrate their birthday, they know. When you cry, they can feel it. When you adopt a new pet, they're pleased. When you talk to them, they listen. And, when all is said and done and it is your divine time to depart from this life, they generally are always there to greet you in the afterlife.