Four Steps to Take After Experiencing Pet Loss
Tragic, Sudden, Unexpected: Grieving for Traumatic Pet Loss
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Rainbow Bridge
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]
Here's a newer version that was made into a poem.
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| 08-04-2020 |
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| Lucy passed over the Rainbow Bridge August 1, 2015 |
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| Alice |
If your bunny has passed away, please make a donation to your local rabbit shelter in his or her memory.
You can enter In Memoriam in the "Search this blog" box (in the right-hand column) to read about some other blogging bunnies that have passed.
“My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today.”
Richard Adams, Watership Down
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Rabbit Rescue Poem
Author, Unknown
I used to be a lonely rabbit,
just looking for a home.
I simply had no place to go,
no one to call my own.
I wandered through the streets and fields,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
or a gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice
so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you"
was whispered in my ear.
"You’ll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear.
You will be dry, you will be warm,
you’ll have enough to eat
And rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can’t remember when I let
a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds
and cleaned and brushed my fur
she told me ‘bout the rescue group
and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
a line that never ends.
and in the center there is you
protected by new friends.
And all around you are the ones
who'll keep you safe and sound,
who will share their loving home with you
until a forever one can be found.
We will do all we can
by searching near and far,
to find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family,
that’s waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we’ll find them,
just you wait and see.
And then they’ll join our circle,
they’ll help to make it grow,
so there’ll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently,
the days, they came and went.
Today’s the day, I would hope,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heartbeat
I could tell they felt it too.
They said "We have been searching for
a special bun like you."
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the Gods that be.
Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the bunnies
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rabbit Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet.
Thank you to everyone who helps to make this circle bigger each day.
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Easter Bunny PoemJul 10, 2011 by HRS
by Mary Brandolino
In memory of all the bunnies we couldn’t save.
I remember Easter Sunday
It was colorful and fun
The new life that I’d begun
In my new cage.
I was just a little thing
When they brought me from the store
And they put me on the floor
In my cage.
They would take me out to play
Love and pet me all the time
Then at day’s end I would climb
In my cage.
But as days and weeks went by
I saw less of them it seemed
Of their loving touch I dreamed
In my cage.
In the night outside their house
I felt sad and so neglected
Often scared and unprotected
In my cage.
In the dry or rainy weather
Sometimes hotter sometimes colder
I just sat there growing older
In my cage.
The cat and dog raced by me
Playing with each other only
While I sat there feeling lonely
In my cage.
Upon the fresh green grass
Children skipped and laughed all day
I could only watch them play
From my cage.
They used to take me out
And let me scamper in the sun
I no longer get to run
In my cage.
Once a cute and cuddly bunny
Like a little ball of cotton
Now I’m grown up and forgotten
In my cage.
I don’t know what went wrong
At the home I did inhabit
I just grew to be a rabbit
In my cage.
But they’ve brought me to the pound
I was once loved and enjoyed
Now I wait to be destroyed
In my cage.
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Will you think of me at Easter,
Will you buy me as a gift...
For your girlfriend, boyfriend, little child
To grant their special wish?
Will you think of me inside my hutch,
That tiny 'starter-pack'
That doesn't let me hop around
And starts to hurt my back?
Will you think of me 'tomorrow'
When you go to work or school
With a lovely lunch packed in your bag,
'Cos I get hungry too...
Will you think of me, just sometimes please?
My hutch, it smells so bad.
I'd love some water in my bowl,
And some hay..I'd be so glad!
Will you think of me when the sun shines bright
And it's 'wonderfully hot'
But I cant get cool, this heat is cruel,
Don't tell me you've forgot!
Will you think of me when the north wind blows
And my hutch floor turns to ice,
And Im shivering whilst you're all warm
Underneath your quilt so nice?
Will you think of me? Please think of me!
I'm helpless, at your mercy!
Why did you buy me on a whim?
Why did you then desert me?
Will you think of me now Easter has
Arrived yet once again,
And a thousand little bunnies
Face a life of hopeless pain?
I can binkie over rainbows now,
I am happy, and I'm free.
But I wonder, now that I have gone,
Will you ever think of me....?
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Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.
The Plea of the Easter Bunny
Will you think of me at Easter,
Will you buy me as a gift...
For your girlfriend, boyfriend, little child
To grant their special wish?
Will you think of me inside my hutch,
That tiny 'starter-pack'
That doesn't let me hop around
And starts to hurt my back?
Will you think of me 'tomorrow'
When you go to work or school
With a lovely lunch packed in your bag,
'Cos I get hungry too...
Will you think of me, just sometimes please?
My hutch, it smells so bad.
I'd love some water in my bowl,
And some hay..I'd be so glad!
Will you think of me when the sun shines bright
And it's 'wonderfully hot'
But I cant get cool, this heat is cruel,
Don't tell me you've forgot!
Will you think of me when the north wind blows
And my hutch floor turns to ice,
And Im shivering whilst you're all warm
Underneath your quilt so nice?
Will you think of me? Please think of me!
I'm helpless, at your mercy!
Why did you buy me on a whim?
Why did you then desert me?
Will you think of me now Easter has
Arrived yet once again,
And a thousand little bunnies
Face a life of hopeless pain?
I can binkie over rainbows now,
I am happy, and I'm free.
But I wonder, now that I have gone,
Will you ever think of me....?
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A Tribute to Rescuers: One Final Rescue
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.
It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view,
head hung heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals
on the pathway...the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for a while...knew the
story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.
Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he
was totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury
or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been
restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached
slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He
knew he was out of place here. This was no resting place for him. He felt
instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But
alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of
an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling
him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special
people could pass over the RainBow Bridge. And he had no special beloved
people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.
With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked
toward the fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he
spotted a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm.
Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't
playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring
out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no
choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching
the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting
for his special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and
asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.
"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his
owner grew tired of him. The way you see him now, with graying fur and sad,
cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He
never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the
kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on
Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his love, he
has nobody to escort him across the Bridge."
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then
asked, "So what will happen now?"
As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly
parted and the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be
seen a single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a
person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure
turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The
sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were
bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again,
just as they had been in the prime of life.
From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special
people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came
close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on
the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the
figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line
behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they
all crossed together.
The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What
happened?"
"That was a rescuer," came the answer.
"That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of
all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes
because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive.
Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives,
they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to
escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge.
You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all
animals."
"I think I like rescuers," said the recent
arrival.
"So does God," was the reply.
-- Author Unknown.
Fur the Love of PAWS
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Fur the Love of PAWS
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The Star Thrower
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The Star Thrower
“Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”
The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
Adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little.
Sydney Smith
[Thank you to everyone who has adopted or fostered a rescue pet, or volunteered at or donated to a shelter. There are so many in need that it can seem overwhelming but you made a difference.]
Sydney Smith
[Thank you to everyone who has adopted or fostered a rescue pet, or volunteered at or donated to a shelter. There are so many in need that it can seem overwhelming but you made a difference.]
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To Love a Rescuer
To love a rescuer you must love all of her. You must love the scars covering her body from panicked and hurt animals she was trying to help. You must love her fractured heart, that has been broken so many times she no longer even takes the time to mend the pieces.
To love a rescuer you must embrace her grit and determination, and know that although she fights a war she can never win, she can and does win a few battles. You must love the tears she will shed over those she lost. You must give her comfort that she refuses to accept, as she blames herself for things she could have never foreseen.
To love a rescuer you must acknowledge the rage she feels towards the world at times, and know that anger is driven by a love of life too few have. You must give her space and room to cry and mourn for the losses that others have caused out of carelessness or cruelty.
To love a rescuer you must understand her passion to heal and save is a calling, not a choice. You must accept that to save animals is part of her soul and without that she could never be happy.
To love a rescuer you must be patient. You must accept her work comes first. She will forgo sleep, forgo food, forgo her life for animals in need. She will work tirelessly until her body and mind fail her completely and she cannot go on.
To love a rescuer you must be strong. You must not be threatened by her focus and love of animals. You must accept that the things you love about her, the strength and convictions and loyalty are also what drives her sense of duty to animals in need; you cannot have one without the other.
To love a rescuer you must never ask her to choose, because she will, and it will not be you.
[Author Unknown]
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A Volunteer's Paycheck
To love a rescuer you must love all of her. You must love the scars covering her body from panicked and hurt animals she was trying to help. You must love her fractured heart, that has been broken so many times she no longer even takes the time to mend the pieces.
To love a rescuer you must embrace her grit and determination, and know that although she fights a war she can never win, she can and does win a few battles. You must love the tears she will shed over those she lost. You must give her comfort that she refuses to accept, as she blames herself for things she could have never foreseen.
To love a rescuer you must acknowledge the rage she feels towards the world at times, and know that anger is driven by a love of life too few have. You must give her space and room to cry and mourn for the losses that others have caused out of carelessness or cruelty.
To love a rescuer you must understand her passion to heal and save is a calling, not a choice. You must accept that to save animals is part of her soul and without that she could never be happy.
To love a rescuer you must be patient. You must accept her work comes first. She will forgo sleep, forgo food, forgo her life for animals in need. She will work tirelessly until her body and mind fail her completely and she cannot go on.
To love a rescuer you must be strong. You must not be threatened by her focus and love of animals. You must accept that the things you love about her, the strength and convictions and loyalty are also what drives her sense of duty to animals in need; you cannot have one without the other.
To love a rescuer you must never ask her to choose, because she will, and it will not be you.
[Author Unknown]
Thank you, Bunny Rabbit, for sharing this on the Rabbit Ramblings Facebook page
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A Volunteer's Paycheck
Or
How does being kind affect us?
1. Physiologically
A. Those who volunteer report fewer aches and pains.
B. People 55 and older who volunteer live longer.
C. Volunteering and being kind can lower your blood pressure via the release of the hormone oxytocin.
D. Performing acts of kindness releases endorphins.
2. Psychologically
A. Kindness is like strength training - it can be improved with practice.
B. Kindness is "contagious." Even witnessing kindness in others can impact your mood.
C. People who donate to charity self-report higher levels of happiness.
D. Kindness lowers the anxiety levels of people who report they have anxiousness.
E. There is a strong correlation between the health, happiness and longevity of people who are emotionally and behaviorally compassionate towards others.
3. Bunnifically
A. Rabbits are likely to report lower levels of "disapproval" to kind volunteers vs. the uneducated silly humans.
B. Humans who volunteer with and rescue rabbits show:
(1) Decreased sensitivity to stray hay in odd places (like your bed or underwear.)
(2) A higher tolerance for rabbit fur on all articles of clothing and household objects.
(3) Multilingual language abilities, with the ability to interpret "fluent rabbit" (and heightened sensitivity to protect fingers when interpreting the ears-back/tail-up pose.)
(4) An improved ability to distinguish between a "real crisis" and a trivial event. (Receiving a deep puncture wound from said unprotected fingers is a trivial event. The car not starting when out of your rabbit's favorite greens is a "real crisis".)
(5) Unequivocally and indisputably exceedingly high levels of "bunny supreme meditative bliss" (especially when petting said rabbits - an even higher state of consciousness plane when followed by a bunny flop.)
by Marlene Larkin, Georgia House Rabbit Society Educator
A Halloween Bunny Tale
Found at: http://www.larping.net/bunny/SFR.html
In the mythical land of Trigiorria there is the legend of The Spirit Festival of the Rabbits.
At the end of the month of Octobré, when the veil between the worlds of the spirit and the real would thin, those who had lost family during the previous year would make a journey to the Spirit Woods. The recently departed would inhabit this forest during the year, awaiting the veil to be thin enough to cross over and thereby give their loved ones one last chance to say goodbye.
The family would sit and camp outside of the woods, sometimes as long as a week, awaiting for a messenger to arrive. That messenger - a white rabbit. As it approached, the family would gather and sit, patiently and quietly. The rabbit would find a spot near the family and sit down, regarding them with its ruby eyes and large ears turned towards them. At that point, the family would tell the rabbit the name of their recently deceased and give a final message to their loved one. Upon finishing, the family would offer the rabbit a token of their thanks, usually in the form of some sweet greens such as the tops of carrots or radishes. The rabbit would stand on its hind legs, taking the offering and, at the same time, folding its ears back, thereby trapping the family's message within them.
Turning around, the rabbit would sprint back into the forest, carrying the message for the spirit. Their ruby eyes able to see the other worldly spirits and their twitching noses able to find the scent of the family even upon the ghosts. Once they found the family member, they'd open their ears once again, imparting the whispers of the message still resounding within them and allow the family member to pass over with their family's love.
However, not all ghosts within the Spirit Woods are benevolent. As the noises that come from the forest are often eerie and vicious, it is the reason the families remain outside of the woods and uses the messengers. On a few occasions, dark shadows were seen lumbering forth from the tree line, but they never made it far for nipping at their heels were the guardians - the black rabbits of the forest. Whereas the inky claws of the spirits could rake furrows into the ground, they would simply meld into the rabbit's own obsidian fur. Wherever the black rabbits touched these creatures, there would be nothing but emptiness left behind. And when dozens of the guardians attacked a shadow, it dissolves so quickly that many people weren't sure they saw a shadow at all - only the frolicking of the rabbits was left behind.
Today, many families keep such rabbits in their homes as family members themselves. In fact, adopting one after the passing of their loved ones is seen as a blessing upon the house. When a white rabbit would stand on its hind legs and stare towards nothing, it is often thought that the animal is welcoming a friendly spirit into the house. The black rabbit would keep the family safe from any spirits that were not welcomed.