Pet Loss: Gut-Wrenching Agony AND Love Beyond Words

Until We Meet Again, From Grief to Hope After Losing a Pet

My Heart Is With You 💙.

If you are drawn to read this, chances are you’ve loved and lost a significant furry friend, and I want you to know that it’s okay to feel the way you do. Losing a pet isn’t easy; it’s like losing a piece of your heart. I’ve been there, and I want to share a story with you — a story that I hope will bring you some comfort and maybe even a glimmer of hope.

By the time I was 16 years old, I had buried more pets than most people will in their entire lifetimes. This seemingly random fact isn’t something that I thought about much until I started to spend time talking with people about their grief. I was always amazed by how many conversations about losing human loved ones led to nostalgic memories of departed pets that still held unresolved energy.

It quickly became obvious that as a [North American] society, we do a better job dealing with and supporting human grief than we do with the grief that arises when one of our beloved pets dies. There are many reasons why, some of them better than others, but the bottom line is that there is room for us to improve how we process the pain we experience when our pet leaves our physical world.

I have experienced more than a few miracles in my life — lucky me! One miracle, in particular, relates to the healing and processing of the unacknowledged pain I had been carrying for over 30 years! During one of my intense journaling sessions, I unexpectedly [and unknowingly] channelled wisdom from beyond, resulting in a series of messages that would come from our pets if they could communicate their love in words. If this sounds slightly “off” as you read it, imagine how I felt when I grasped the reality of the words in my journal.

The journaling session did result in a beautiful book, Until We Meet Again, From Grief to Hope After Losing a Pet. In the spirit of healing, I will share the full story with you, hoping it will find a way to touch the hearts of as many people as possible.

Until We Meet Again, From Grief to Hope After Losing a Pet

There is a place in my heart where you’ll always be
and it is full of memories of just you and me.

Wet kisses and snuggles, my nose on your face,
we’ve shared many moments we’ll always embrace.

This part of our journey has come to an end
so here are some words to help your heart mend.

Take time to read them, I ask this of you.
I hope when you’re finished you won’t feel so blue.

Please find a safe space that will allow you to feel.
Open your heart and let yourself heal.

Close your eyes for a moment and take time to breathe.
I can live in your heart, if you choose to believe.

I want you to know that it is OK to cry.
Take the time that you need and look to the sky.

Let me go with your love, please set me free.
Things will get better. Trust and you’ll see.

Look for rainbows and butterflies and other clues that I’ll send.
They will be your reminders that our bond will not end.

You will see things and feel things that will remind you of me.
Finding joy in the memories is your master key.

We learned lots together, both finding our way.
Our adventures were fun; we made the most of each day.

There were days you came home not feeling quite right.
As soon as you saw me, your heart filled with light.

Throughout my life you taught me tricks and much more.
Now it’s my turn to nudge you to soar.

There is some advice that I would like to impart.
Can you let me do this? Will you open your heart?

When we were together, you put your troubles on hold.
I gave you the courage to let life unfold.

I taught you things as you watched me live,
unconditional love and to always forgive.

Believe it or not, you have all that you need.
You’re an amazing person and you will succeed.

Trust that your love can release all your fears.
This lesson alone can guide you for years.

You can’t change the past, this you should know.
You can change the future and where you will go.

In every moment you have choices to make.
Your path is determined by the roads that you take.

It’s up to you to focus your mind.
The number one task is to yourself be kind.

Please live for today, fill your life full of love.
Imagine me with you inside and above.

Look for hope, love and joy in all that you do.
Imagine your life with your dreams coming true.

Until we meet again, remember… I will always love you.

So, my friend, if you’re reading this and your heart is heavy with the loss of your own furry friend, know that you’re not alone. The journey from loss to acceptance is a long one, filled with ups and downs, and it’s a journey worth taking. Your pet may be gone, but the love you shared and the memories you made will stay with you forever.

I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts, please share them if it resonates with you to do so.

P.S. This book is available on Amazon and Etsy (ChooseToChoose). Here is a video overview: Until We Meet Again, Video Presentation of Story.