Have you lost a pet? If you have, you know how painful it is. Pets are family, and they are a deeply ingrained part of our daily lives. Their absence is notable, and their memory stays with us long after they have passed. Rainbow Bridge Awareness Day, celebrated on August 28, is a day to remember these pet companions and celebrate the remarkable impact they had on our lives.
Two years ago, I lost my heart dog, Mia, very suddenly and unexpectedly. It was hard. Really hard. In fact, research indicates losing a pet is just as hard as losing any other family member. It might even be harder since pets are such a familiar part of our every day lives, making their loss more noticeable. Plus, pet owners can struggle with how to process their grief. This is due to many factors, including guilt around difficult choices like euthanasia, embarrassment around their level of grief, and a reluctance to share how they feel for a fear that their support system may not understand.
One of the things that really helped me process my grief was celebrating Mia’s life in different ways and honoring the impact she had on my own life. I still think about her a lot, and it has helped to find various ways to keep her memory vibrant and alive.
This might look different for each pet owner, but here are 5 meaningful ways to memorialize your pet for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.
1. Make art
Art is therapeutic by nature, and creating art inspired by your pet is one way to capture their memory and release some of your emotions at the same time. You can paint a portrait, whether realistic or more abstract, or even order a paint by number kit. If you aren’t a visual art type person, maybe write a poem about your pet, or tell their story through a narrative. I wrote a post all about Mia last year for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, and it was incredibly helpful with processing my emotions a year after losing her. It reminded me that no matter how painful and difficult her loss was, the years of happiness she brought into my life (and vice versa) was absolutely worth it.
Another option might be to commission a work of art of your pet. I actually commissioned a portrait from Rogan, an Australian Shepherd in Canada who paints abstract works of art. All the money he and his dog mom raise from these portraits is donated to rescue. Our portrait had colors inspired by Mia and my husband’s dog Totes, as well as other colors pulled from Mia’s life—the blue of the water she loved to swim in, and the bright green of a tennis ball she loved to play fetch with.
There are lots of artists on Etsy, too, who create beautiful pet portraits of all different styles. Whether you want a formal oil painting, a Disney-inspired cartoon, or anything else, there is something for everyone.
2. Support a rescue—donate, volunteer, or foster
Mia was a rescue dog, and her story inspired me to volunteer in animal rescue for the first few years of our life together. Mostly, we fostered dogs (and even a couple of cats) and helped them find permanent homes. This was one of the biggest impacts Mia had on my life, and I continue to honor that impact by supporting the rescue I adopted Mia from. Recently, this rescue had a fundraiser to pave a path to their onsite clinic. People could purchase and inscribe bricks, so my husband and I bought one with Mia’s name on it.
You might celebrate Rainbow Bridge Awareness Day with a donation, or you could volunteer your time. If you have the time and space, you could even foster a pet for a local rescue and help them find a forever home. There are lots of ways to “give back,” and it is hard to think of a more beautiful way to celebrate the memory of your pet than paying that love forward.
3. Share your pet’s story
This is one of the big ones for me. I talk about Mia…a lot! Pets impact so many areas of our lives, and it can feel like it’s hard to escape their memory once they are gone. Instead of trying to escape, talk about it! You can share their story online, through social media or a blog post. The Instagram pet community, in particular, is beautifully supportive. There are tons of people out there who really understand just how important pets are, and how difficult it is to process their loss. If something happens that reminds you of your pet, talk about it! Share with your family and friends, or even just take a moment to reflect on that memory by yourself.
While talking or just thinking about our pets after they have crossed the Rainbow Bridge can be hard, it’s also an incredibly important part of processing grief. Rainbow Bridge Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to share a photo, tell a story that makes you laugh, or just talk about how much you miss them.
4. Use a keychain or piece of jewelry to keep the memory of your pet close
About a year ago, I purchased a small gold necklace off Etsy with an “M” inscribed on it for Mia. Whenever I wear it, I feel as if Mia is with me. For certain, it keeps her memory close. Small objects like this are a beautiful way to continue to incorporate your pet into your daily life. You can search Etsy for whatever object makes the most sense for you. That could be a piece of jewelry, like a necklace or ring or bracelet, or it could be something else.
Keychains are another popular choice, and there are a lot of different styles you can choose from. Or maybe you get a custom mug made, or another small item that you use regularly. These types of objects that are part of our daily lives and can help us feel like our pets are still with us, which is an immense source of comfort.
5. When you are ready, get a new pet
Last, but definitely not least, get a new pet once you are ready to do so. Sometimes, this can feel like we are “replacing” our old pet, but that is just not the case! Providing a loving home to an animal is a beautiful tribute to the positive impact your pet had on your life, and it is a wonderful way to carry on their legacy.
After Mia passed, I adopted June from the very same rescue. It felt like a way to not only honor Mia’s memory, but also to carry on the legacy of helping dogs in need. Whether you adopt a new rescue pet who needs a good home, or support an ethical breeder, bringing home a new pet helps you move on while also celebrating all the ways your old dog impacted your life.
Want to read more about how pets influence our lives? Check out these posts:
