Losing a pet is one of the most painful life events one can go through. Although taking time to remember them can bring many tears and feelings of sadness, it can also help you to heal from the loss. Which is why days like Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day are so important to acknowledge.
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is on August 28th. It is a special day dedicated to honoring the memories shared with your beloved pet that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Whether the idea of a Rainbow Bridge provides you comfort or not, you can use this day as an opportunity to reflect and remember the very special bond shared with your beloved, one-of-a-kind, best friend and animal companion. My hope is that one day, the joy from your memories outweigh the intense feelings of grief.
Wherever you are on your grief journey, here are some ideas (both big and small) that you can help do something special to remember your pet.
1. Plant Something In Their Honor
One beautiful way to honor your pet is with nature. You can get extravagant, and plant a memory garden in your yard while incorporating items like a stone, some of their belongings, or a personalized plaque. Or you can do something very simple, like buying flowers on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day and placing them by your pet’s remains. Being around flowers and plants is naturally calming, while they also remind you of the circle of life and connect you back to the spirit of your pet.
I have become somewhat obsessed with gardening after Squiggles passed, and seem to channel all of the energy I spent loving on her in my garden. I’m planning to make myself a special bouquet from the flowers that are growing on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.
2. Visit Your Pet’s Favorite Spot
Spend some time at your pet’s favorite spot, whether it was a park, a lake, or the coziest corner of the couch. Bring along a special memento, such as a toy or a photo, and spend a few quiet moments remembering the good times you shared (you may want to have a box of tissues handy too). This can be a comforting way to feel close to your pet again.
3. Make a Donation in Your Pet’s Name
Many of us like the idea of donating money in our pet’s memory, but oftentimes we don’t take that next step to pull out the credit card and fill out the information (I know I’ve been guilty of this plenty of times).
I’m working on creating a list of grassroots organizations that you can feel good about supporting without having to do all the research. For now, I’m listing 3 right here.
Brooklyn Animal Action – The organization I foster kittens with.
Battersea – An organization one of the members of our Facebook group shared about.
Old Dog Haven – An organization I came across on Google that supports senior dogs.
If you know of any grassroots organizations that support animal welfare, please share them in the comments so I can add them to the list.
4. Write a Letter To Your Pet
Take a few minutes to connect to your pet on this day by sitting down to write them a letter. You can share things that have been going on in your life, talk about the things you miss about them, and express all the love you continue to have for them. Again, don’t forget the tissues.
5. Give Yourself A Mental Health Day
The year that I’m writing this post, August 28th falls on a Wednesday. If you are able to take a day off to simply give yourself a break, relax, and take extra good care of yourself on this day, I invite you to do so. You can treat yourself with the kind of love and kindness you would treat your pet, in their honor.
6. Donate A Few Of Your Pet’s Items to an Animal in Need
CAVEAT: I am, in no way trying to rush you to clean up or donate any of your pet’s items if you are not ready. And do not for one second feel guilty if this is you – we all move at our own pace when it comes to our grief, and you can take all the time that you need to get these tasks done. Or never get rid of their things at all if you don’t want to. I mean that.
For those of you who have been wanting to do something with the cans of food collecting dust in the pantry, this day could be a good opportunity to do so. Go ahead and post the items on Facebook marketplace. Or bring them to a shelter. This could bring a wave of emotion, but it’s also a really powerful way to continue your pet’s legacy and help other animals in need.
7. Get Creative
Doing something creative or artsy on this day can be a wonderful way to express your love for your pet. Here are some ideas:
- Get out paint or drawing supplies and create a portrait of your pet (no artistic skills required! Do it for the process, not the final product.)
- Go online and make a photobook with some of your favorite photo memories with your pet.
- Write a poem about your pet.
- Go through old magazines and cut out pictures of things that remind you of your pet, and make a collage.
8. Take Time To Connect To The Love You Still Have For Your Pet
In our free Facebook group, I’m hosting a free live event on Rainbow Bridge Memorial Day this year, where we will do a short meditation that sends love to the spirit of our pets. You’re welcome to join the community here.
You can also do this on your own. Sit in a quiet place. Take a few deep breaths. And just allow yourself to experience the love you have in your heart for your pet. Sit with that feeling for as long as you’d like.
And luckily, you don’t have to wait for Rainbow Bridge Remebrance Day to honor your love for your pet. You can do this every day in my community, The Furever Forest. It’s a dedicated online space for bereaved pet owners, where you can get support and find ways to connect with the love you have for your soulmate pet, furever.
9. Share A Photo
You don’t have to make some grand gesture to honor your pet. You can do something as simple as sharing a photo of them, through Instagram, Facebook, or even texting a photo to a friend. Let them know what today is and that you just wanted a moment to share how much your pet still means to you.
10. Celebrate With Your Other Pets
If you have other pets around, you can honor the pet that has passed by celebrating with your other fur babies. Give them some extra love and attention on this day. Buy them a special treat. Or take them on a fun adventure. Express the love you have for your pet by sharing it with the animal companions that are currently by your side. You can make new memories with them while continuing to cherish the times you had with your other pet.
Final Thoughts
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a time to honor the unique bond you shared with your pet. Whether you choose to celebrate privately or with others, the most important thing is to do what feels right for you. Every day, your pet’s memory will live on in your heart, and by commemorating their life on special days like this, you keep their spirit alive.
Let me know in the comments – do any of these ideas strike a chord within you? What do you plan to do on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day?
And if you’re feeling too lost and hopeless on this day to do anything, I completely understand. Sometimes you need to just be in your grief. I invite you to join my private community for bereaved pet owners, The Furever Forest. It’s a sacred space for you to process your grief with other pet owners who understand.
